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Guests: Bob Pritchard, Assistant Professor, Department of Journalism; Ed Shipley, Executive Director, Ball State University Alumni Association.
President Jim Grim called the meeting to order at 1:55 p.m. Members and guests were welcomed and introductions were made. Guests were Bob Pritchard, assistant professor, Department of Journalism and Ed Shipley, executive director of the Ball State University Alumni Association. Grim asked for corrections or additions to the minutes of the January 26, 2002 meeting. A correction was made as follows: Page 2, Department Update–Line 5, ASNE instead of AS&E. Juli Metzger moved to accept the minutes as corrected. Mark Kornmann seconded, and they were approved by voice vote.
BUSINESS
Regional Alumni Event
Event committee members Deborah Robinson and Charlotte Shepperd presented ideas and suggestions established from the March 28 committee meeting at M.P. Records. It was suggested to have an event or two this fall and then plan another regional event next year, perhaps in Chicago. This fall could be in conjunction with either the Ball State College of Fine Arts Indianapolis Art Walk (September 5, 2002) or the Department of Journalism Public Relations Conference (October 3,4,5, 2002). For the conference, we could target Central Indiana alumni through a personal contact method, as well as a mailing, PUSH e-mail, and publicity in the Ball State Alumnus magazine.
Shepperd investigated the Art Walk idea with Sue Taylor, who is the liaison to the College of Fine Arts and Taylor thinks they would be very pleased to have an additional group involved. The Art Walk is on Massachusetts Avenue and surrounding streets and involves vendors in the vicinity. A potential journalism event might be a reception at the Rathskeller. Shepperd will continue to investigate the prospect.
Bob Pritchard shared information about the Public Relations Conference in conjunction with the Schranz Lecture at the Art and Journalism Building, Thursday-Saturday, October 3-5. It will include a general session with a keynote speaker, break-out sessions, and workshops. Friday evening, October 4 is open for the opportunity of a co-sponsored alumni activity. Pritchard said that it would be possible for alumni to participate in some of the other conference events. Discussion included the idea of a dinner at the Art and Journalism Building, and perhaps a social reception with cash bar at Alumni Center. Shuttle service could be provided. Following discussion, Mark Kornmann moved to sponsor an event Friday, evening, October 4 and charge the Alumni Event Committee to come up with a plan. Amy Ahlersmeyer seconded the motion and it was approved by voice vote. Deborah Robinson also made a motion to further investigate an event in conjunction with the College of Fine Arts Indianapolis Art Walk. Kornmann seconded the motion, and it was approved by voice vote.
It was also agreed to begin planning for a possible 2003 Chicago event by the Alumni Event Committee composed of Amy Ahlersmeyer, Brian Hayes, Pam Records, and Deborah Robinson, along with Grim, Waechter, Weaver, Shepperd, and Diane Williams. Mark Kornmann will also serve on this committee.
Department Update
Marilyn Weaver noted that enrollment looks good for next fall. She added that there are currently 45 applicants for graduate assistantships, a record number.
Dan Waechter said the journalism luncheon earlier in the day was part of a larger set of events for Freedom of Expression Week on campus. One of this year’s award recipients, Christine Evans, is scheduled to speak this evening, also as part of the week ’s activities. The department has selected undergraduate scholarship recipients from a group of very qualified applicants. They will be honored at a luncheon on April 27.
Alumni Council Update
Amy Ahlersmeyer reported that the Alumni Council met February 16 on campus. Lori Wean serves as the 2002 president. Hudson Akin, executive director of University Development, presented an update on the Above and Beyond campaign. The original goal of the campaign was $90 million and Ball State has far exceeded the goal, with pledges and gifts at $107 million currently. The campaign officially closes June 30 and a celebration will be set for the fall.
The quality of students entering Ball State continues to rise as reflected in the S.A.T. scores. A year ago the minimum score was 1040 for admitted students; now it is at 1050 or above.
The next Alumni Council meeting is Saturday, June 15, coinciding with the annual Alumni College.
OTHER BUSINESS
As a point of interest and information, Ed Shipley distributed journalism alumni demographics maps. Currently there are a total of 4,654 journalism alumni with mailable addresses, including 2,649 in Indiana. It is the policy of the Alumni Association to use home addresses for mail purposes. Historically, when a mailing for the Indianapolis area is requested, six counties are used–Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Marion, and Johnson.
There was discussion regarding the printing of the journalism timeline. Shepperd had received quotes from CS Kern and the Marion Chronicle Tribune. The department would like to test to see if it can satisfactorily run copies from a PDF file. The board suggested that Shepperd and Weaver could work to resolve the printing. Juli Metzger will assist.
On behalf of the board, Shepperd expressed congratulations to Weaver on the excellence of the Journalism Awards Luncheon.
Weaver requested that a roster of journalism alumni be made available to the board to review for prospective award nominees.
The next Journalism Alumni board meeting will be Saturday, June 22, 2002, 10:30 a.m., Art and Journalism Building, Room 384. Board members are asked to bring a list of names for board nominations.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:35 p.m.
