Members present: Angie Abbott, Tim Hill, Suzie Huber, Julie Johnson, Jackie Johnston, Marla Kurtz,   Barbara Norrick, Alice Spangler, Sue Taylor, Linda Wallace and Sandra Wimmer.

Vice President Tim Hill called the meeting to order at 2:10 p.m.

Following a motion by Angie to approve the June 6, 2007 meeting minutes, the motion was seconded by Linda, and the minutes were unanimously approved as written by voice vote.

ALUMNI COUNCIL UPDATE

Jackie reported there will be a change in the Legacy Scholarship application deadline. To better use the scholarship for recruiting students the deadline has been changed from the first Friday in April to the first Friday in February. 

The council accepted a draft resolution to establish Alumni Association geographic area scholarships, defined as those areas that have an alumni ambassador or alumni chapter.  Still to be determined are how many scholarships will be given. That number will be determined by how many chapters participate.  They will probably be awarded in the spring.

The Foundation is slightly above the national average on its investments with a 17% return since the first of the year.  Assets are $237 million as of June 30, 2007.   Contributions, since January 1, 2007 exceeds $24 million.

The nominating committee offered a slate of officers for the Alumni Council: Tom Farris, president elect, Jo Ann Johnston, vice- president.

A task force has been put in place to evaluate the Ball State Alumnus magazine. They want to analyze the size, cost, amount of color and distribution of the magazine.

The next Alumni Council meeting will be held Saturday, February 2, 2008.

DEPARTMENT UPDATE

●         Alice Spangler reported that in collaboration with the university's "Working Well" wellness program for employees, the department will provide nutrition counseling free of charge.  Carol Friesen and Kim Pike received a grant to work on the protocol this summer.

●         Patricia Atherton received 3^rd place in Formal/Evening Wear category in the national Round Bobbin Emerging Young Designer of the Year Fashion Competition, recently held in St. Charles Missouri.  She was the only student from Indiana invited as a finalist to this competition.

●         Dale Potts, Interior Design faculty member, was featured on Channel 8 News.  He demonstrated the preparation of his Indiana State Fair prize winning recipe for Green Tomato Mincemeat Pie.  He also won the SPAM competition through CCIM.  A video will be on the university website.

●         New Faculty members are:

Dr. Thelma Lazo-Flores, interior design
Pam Stigall, fashion
Ruby Smith, hospitality
Jim Kew, fulltime hospitality
Audrey Robbins, fashion
Patrick Clisham, covering family stress class this semester

FCS E-NEWSLETTER UPDATE

Marla Kurtz said she would like to use the photos from Alumni Outings such as the Artist Within to put on the website for e-news.  Johnston suggested adding a list of past Outstanding Senior Award winners and Alumni Award Recipients.   Taylor asked about sending a postcard to all FCS alumni to inform them that the newsletter has gone electronic.  It will request their email address and give the link to the website.  It has been more than 2 years since the last newsletter was sent to alumni.

FCS ALUMNI SUMMER EVENT

Julie Johnson and Sue Taylor reported on the summer event that took place at The Artist Within, located in downtown Muncie on July 23.  Attendance was good and the cost of the event included a boxed lunch and drink.  Each guest chose an item to paint and then have fired in a kiln for later delivery.  Owner Bob Hartley gave a discount on the firing of the pieces for the group.

NOMINEES FOR NEW MEMBERS

Corine Carr and Amy Bradburn have resigned from the board.  New prospects nominated by the board are;

Jody Younce, Laura Dragoo, Nicole Cervo-Rongo, and Keith Cole. The board has 2 openings available and the nominees will be contacted by Julie/Sue to determine their interest and availability.

2008 ALUMNI AWARDS EVENT

The date for Awards Day is Saturday, May 17, 2008 with a brunch tentatively planned.  The Ccmmittee will need to meet to start the planning process.

CAREER DEVELOPMENT DAY

Keynote speaker was Wil Davis, chairman and president of Ontario Systems, LLC, Muncie.  There were very positive comments in regards to his presentation "Why Are we Working?"  The internship panel was new this year and the board felt it was quite successful.  Johnston suggested an internship panel every other year with mentoring being on the off years.  Hill was disappointed in the RPM internship session as only 3 students participated.  The board discussed what would motivate the students for more of them to attend.  It was agreed that faculty encouragement needed to be a higher priority.  Overall, the event was a very positive one and a benefit to those students involved.  More discussion will occur at the next meeting when the evaluations forms have been reviewed and tabulated.

NEXT MEETING DATE(S)

Next meeting will be held Tuesday, January 29 in the Alumni Center board room at 5:30 p.m.

With no further discussion the meeting was adjourned at 3:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Julie Johnson