Email a Friend
Print
Larger
SmallerAlumni Center Members Present: Bernie Boldt, Rod Davis, Jacquie Downey, Ray Ferguson, Dave Heeter, Steve Imler, Michelle Johnson, Leisa Julian, Karen Mangia, Clarice McCauley,
President Kevin Walbridge called the meeting to order at 3:38 p.m.
Approval of the February 20, 2008 meeting minutes was given following a motion by McCauley and a second by Downey. The vote was unanimous.
Michelle Johnson – passed around a membership roster for any updates to be noted.
Miller Collegeof Business Report
Interim Dean Rod Davis acknowledged Karen Mangia for her inclusion in the Indiana Business Journal "Top 40 Under 40 Awards." Mangia said that Cisco has taken on a new partner and she has taken a position to lead the partnership.
The 152nd BSU commencement was held on May 3, 2008. It was the 22nd MCOB commencement ceremony. Neil Ellerbrook, accounting alumnus and Vectren CEO was awarded an honorary doctoral degree. He provided the commencement address for the MCOB ceremony. Approximately 500 students graduate annually from the Miller College.
Davis reported that Beta Alpha Psi members go through the IRS training program each year. Fourteen students led that effort this year. Also, students from Information Systems received recognition from Computer World Magazine. They worked with graduate students from CICS and developed a business continuity solution which was selected for publication for an international conference in Dublin,
Dr. Chu-Juan Cheng in the economics department is retiring. He was awarded a Presidential Medal of Distinction from President Gora at commencement and is one of the eldest faculty members at Ball State. Dr. Ramon Avila won a national teaching excellence award for a course that he had taught.
Davis said that this is the time of year for the college to hold its annual retreat and planning session. It will be reviewing the strategic plan to determine what to implement for 2008-09. Next year the college will gather together data for a review team in February 2010.
The dean's search will be resumed soon. The search committee is being reconstituted to begin the process for the second time this summer. The committee is comprised of members who are appointed by Provost Terry King. Dean Robert Kvam (Fine Arts) will again lead the committee.
Alumni Council Report
Jim Ittenbach said that the Alumni Council met for the 120th time on April 26, 2008. The meeting was structured as a Friday evening and Saturday event. The group has been touring some of the campus facilities on Friday evenings, including the Music Instruction Building, which contains some of the best music technology in the nation.
He reported that the Alumni Association's Legacy Scholarship was recently awarded to 40 students for 2008-09, and is a great opportunity for alumni to help their children and grandchildren carry on the tradition at Ball State.
The new initiatives committee is being led by MCOB alumnus Larry Metzing. The committee is considering hosting a reunion of past council members, among other ideas.
The Ball State Alumni Association's Graduate of the Last Decade Award (GOLD) recipients were selected and two MCOB board members, Baer and Westfall, are included. They will be recognized at a Homecoming dinner, Friday, September 26.
The re-launch of the Alumnus magazine is currently underway with the help of a creative partner. A survey was conducted by the BSUAA to evaluate the magazine. More than 1,500 surveys were returned to the Alumni Association to provide feedback on the publication.
President Gora gave a presentation about campus, including the basics of the strategic plan. Fall enrollment numbers were reported as well as the kickoff date for the new capital campaign, September 5, 2008, in conjunction with a televised BSU vs. Navy football game.
Alumni Awards Dinner
Estep said that the 2009 Awards Dinner plans are underway. She mentioned that it is time to start thinking about sponsorships and to get a small committee together to discuss and determine who could be sponsors. The money raised from the sponsors supports the Professionalism Certificate programs for students. Last year, $15,000 was used on these initiatives.
Costs of sponsorships have been relatively consistent from year to year. We had four sponsorship categories in 2007: Platinum, the $3,000 level, receives recognition on a banner, in the program, and on the website; Gold, the $2,000 level, receives the same recognition; Silver, the $1,000 level, receives recognition on the website and in the program; and Bronze, the $750 level, receives recognition on the website and in the program.
The change implemented last year was that the silver and bronze sponsors received four dinner seats instead of eight. Gold and platinum sponsors received eight seats. Estep said that this may have slightly decreased attendance from previous years to 240, but attendance is somewhat dependent upon the number of guests the award recipients bring to the dinner. A total of 280-290 pushes the room's seating capacity. Milazzo and Downey volunteered to participate on the Sponsorship Committee.
Westfall mentioned that tables cost $500 and include seating for eight. The reception will begin at 5:30 p.m. and dinner will be served at 7:00 p.m. The program should end between 9 and 9:30 p.m. The award winners for this year have all accepted their invitations to attend.
The board members are asked to send any favor ideas to Tammy. Davis reminded the board of the 2008 award recipients, who were reported at the last meeting.
Downey mentioned the need for diversity in gender, degrees, etc., for the nominees in the future. She also mentioned asking the former recipients to help nominate new candidates.
Palomba Fund Committee
Ittenbach said that guidance on the requirements for the recognition plaque is still requested. Are there dimensions, materials, and placement determinations? The plaque is the priority before funding for anything else is determined or granted. Davis noted that board has leeway and can determine the type and size of plaque. Ray Montagno will be consulted for suggestions. Walbridge asked that MCOB administration come up with a mock-up and take a look at the space. He asked that perhaps three or four examples of what they believe would look appropriate be provided. Ittenbach suggested a bronze wall plaque with a facial etching and verbiage about the recognition.
Davis mentioned that this will set a precedent for all the former and future deans. Walbridge recommended that the board should provide the funds for the other deans' plaques at some point.
Ittenbach asked that Davis describe the current building recognition format and Davis said that it is on the wall as one enters the building. Davis said that MCOB administrators will bring a mock-up to the next board meeting.
Ittenbach suggested that the Whitinger Building plaque be the greatest, and that the deans' plaques be "a step down in size."
Outreach Event Planning for 2008-2009
- A fall Colts football game with a pre-game event at Ball State's Downtown Center in Indianapolis was suggested. Walbridge offered tickets for the Ravens game on Sunday, Oct. 12 at 1:00 p.m. Davis will check about booking the Indy Center with Frank Sabatine. Details to be worked out …i.e. package A & package B. Reservations will be received by BSUAA. As far as how many tickets, the board can talk it through as time transpires. Walbridge mentioned a maximum of 100 game tickets will be available from his company's allotment. A deadline will be set for the board and then it will be opened up to some other MCOB alumni. The idea of a silent auction was brought up as part of the event. Walbridge, Taylor and Estep will work on costs.
- Personal Finance Week. Westfall referred to Carl George's speech at the 2007 Awards Dinner, where he had challenged the audience to make a difference in how students and alumni take charge of their personal finances. Suggestions included 1. MCOB developing a "Personal Finance Week" to benefit all students on campus, possibly in the spring, as an annual event; 2. Budgets, debt and investments would be part of the curricula; 3. MCOB alumni could lead the sessions. Davis said that an initiative already exists to add "fiscal wellness" to the core curriculum and all students will be required to take the classes starting in 2009. Additional discussion included Downey saying that a Daily News weekly tip section throughout whole school year could be utilized. Milazzo mentioned that his employer, Sallie Mae, could be a big part of the week about what students might experience after graduation and that there are more partners in the community that could help with this. Westfall said that Carl George would be excited to help with it. Walbridge wants to get a small committee to meet with a business professor to brainstorm this board's involvement with recruiting participation and resources to get the job done. Boldt, McCauley, and Mangia volunteered to spearhead the initiative. Davis will ask Ray Montagno to work with members of the board who are interested. It was suggested that someone investigate the costs of bringing either Suze Orman or David Ramsey as the guest speaker. Taylor mentioned that this initiative would fall into the ideal parameters for Palomba Fund usage. Each board member was positive about the concept. Boldt will work on getting Suze Orman's fee. Westfall will contact Carl George. Davis and Estep will gather a group together to work on the details.
- Estep recommended that the board determine all their events for the next year so that they could be listed in the next issue of Business magazine and to have some regularity with them. Walbridge would like a breakdown of the on-campus activities and the off-campus outreach events. One off-campus outreach event will be the Colts game. Discussion regarding a winter event included a reception at the Ritz Charles on Thursday, January 29. The board would meet prior to the event. Estep or Davis will email the date options to the board and then the members may provide their availability. Mangia mentioned that outreach events at various business or new facilities throughout the state would be interesting. At those events, it would be nice to have a take-away for guests. The Student Advisory Board would be invited to attend these outreach events, too. University updates and even a PowerPoint presentation could be a part of the program at these events.
Walbridge requested that outreach events be an agenda item again at the next board meeting.
Next Meeting Date and Location
Thursday, August 28, 2008, 1 p.m. at the Alumni Center. We will participate in the pre-game rally and the Ball State vs. Northeastern Football Game after the meeting.
Important Upcoming Dates
- Ball State Day at the Indiana State Fair, Saturday, August 9, 2008
- Capital Campaign Kickoff Weekend, September 5, 2008
- Homecoming, September 27, 2008 – Westfall & Baer to receive G.O.L.D. Awards at Homecoming dinner on September 26, 2008
- 5th Annual MCOB Alumni Awards Dinner, Friday, October 10, 2008
- Dialogue Days, Wednesday & Thursday, February 25 and 26, 2009
Adjournment at 5:23 p.m.
