Ball Brothers Foundation
2017 Annual Report
Grants & Funded Projects
Optimus Primary, Ball Brothers Foundation - Round I 2017, Muncie, IN, to establish the Maplewood Mansion Learning Lab.
Amount: $150,000
PI: Sotiris Hji-Avgoustis
Grant to support RPM immersive learning activities. (2018). Served as Co-PI, along with Earhart, C. Hji-Avgoustis, S. Project was funded by the Miller College of Business’ Rodewald Fund for $2500
Funded by the Miller College of Business’ Rodewald Fund for $2,500, this grant supported immersive learning activities within the RPM program. Co-PI Dr. Carla Earhart, along with Dr. Sotiris Hji-Avgoustis and Mr. David Martin, used the funding to enhance practical learning opportunities for students
Furthering Optimus Primary via Expanding Housing Support and Outreach from the
Healthy Lifestyle Centers, Ball Brothers Foundation, Muncie, IN
Amount: $40,000
PI: Leonard A. Kaminsky and Sotiris Hji-Avgoustis
Project period 10/01/2020 – 09/30/2021
Advancing Optimus Primary via Expanding Housing Support, April 2021
Amount: $500
Lead PI: Sotiris Hji-Avgoustis
Co-PI: Craig Webster
Sponsor: Village Promenade
Furthering Programming from the Healthy Lifestyle Centers and Managing Housing For IUSM-Muncie students, Ball Brothers Foundation, Muncie, IN
Amount: $40,000
PI: Kristin Trainor, Leonard A. Kaminsky, and Sotiris Hji-Avgoustis
Project period 10/01/2021 – 09/30/2022
Immersive Learning Provost RAPID grant to support PMGT. 375 immersive learning activities. (2022). Served as Co-PI, along with Zemke, D. Project was funded by Ball State University for $4967
Funded by Ball State University for $4,967, this grant supported 375 immersive learning activities within the PMGT program. Co-PI Dr. Dina Zemke, along with David Martin, used this funding to expand hands-on learning experiences for students.
The Healthy Lifestyle Center and Managing Housing For IUSM-Muncie students: Innovative training, community engagement, and health support, Ball Brothers Foundation, 2022-2023, Muncie, IN. Amount: $50,000. PI: Trainor, K., Hji-Avgoustis, S. Collaborators: Martin, D., Webster, C.
This $50,000 grant from the Ball Brothers Foundation supported similar goals as the 2023-2024 project, with Principal Investigators Dr. Kelsey Trainor and Dr. Sotiris Hji-Avgoustis. Collaborators included Dr. David Martin and Craig Webster, working on enhancing student training and community health support.
The Healthy Lifestyle Center and Managing Housing For IUSM-Muncie students: Innovative training, community engagement, and health support, Ball Brothers Foundation, 2023-2024, Muncie, IN. Amount: $50,000. PI: Tobyas, J., Hji-Avgoustis, S. Collaborators: Martin, D., Webster, C.
This project, funded by the Ball Brothers Foundation for $50,000, aimed to provide innovative training and health support for IUSM-Muncie students. Principal Investigator Dr. Justin Tobyas, along with collaborators Dr. Sotiris Hji-Avgoustis, Mr. David Martin, and Dr. Craig Webster, focused on integrating community engagement and health initiatives.
Ball Brothers Foundation Optimus Primary - The Healthy Lifestyle Center and Housing for IUSM-M Students
Amount: $20,000
PI: Justin Tobyas and Sotiris Hji-Avgoustis
Project period 10/01/2024 – 09/30/2025
The Healthy Lifestyle Center and Managing Housing For IUSM-M Students: Supporting Our Community through Innovation
Amount: $30,000
PI: Justin Tobyas, Sotiris Hji-Avgoustis, and Craig Webster
Project period 10/01/2025 – 09/30/2026
Grant to Establish Programming and Operational Support Fund for Maplewood Guest House. Funded by the Ball Brothers Foundation, 2026. PI. Award amount: $50,000.
Beyond the Classroom: Fostering Relationships, Mentorships, and Well-Being. Ball Brothers Foundation. PI. $5,000.
The Healthy Lifestyle Center and Managing Housing For IUSM-M Students: Supporting Our Community through Innovation (26-27)
Amount: $30,000
PI: Justin Tobyas and Sotiris Hji-Avgoustis
Project period 10/01/2026 – 09/30/2027
Publications and presentations:
Smith, R. M., Martin, D. A., Earhart, C. M., (2019). Maplewood Mansion Learning Lab: A partnership advancing immersive learning, community engagement and economic development. Poster presented at the Central CHRIE Conference, Indianapolis, IN.
This poster, presented at the Central CHRIE Conference in Indianapolis, IN, showcased Maplewood Mansion as a learning lab that advances immersive learning, strengthens community engagement, and supports economic development.
Webster, C., Martin, D. A., Hji-Avgoustis, S., 2023 Central CHRIE Conference, "Hospitality Education and Training: A Teaching Tool and a Means for Improved Community Health," Central CHRIE, Purdue University. (October 20, 2023).
Delivered at the 2023 Central CHRIE Conference at Purdue University, this presentation highlighted Maplewood's role as a teaching tool in hospitality education and its potential to improve community health outcomes.
Presented at the EDRA52 conference in Detroit, MI, this proposal explored the concept of university-sponsored senior housing, drawing insights from the Maplewood Guest House experience to advocate for innovative housing solutions for seniors.
Martin, D.A., Earhart, C.M., Hji-Avgoustis, S., “Maplewood Guest House: Mutual Benefits Through Community Partnerships”, 2024 Summit & Research Symposium, Indiana Community-Engaged Alliance, Bloomington, IN, peer-reviewed/refereed, State. (April 12, 2024)
Presented at the 2024 Summit & Research Symposium by the Indiana Community-Engaged Alliance in Bloomington, IN, this peer-reviewed presentation explored how Maplewood Guest House fosters mutual benefits for both Ball State University and the local community through strategic partnerships.
Earhart, C., & Martin, D. (July/August 2024). Be our guest. Journal of Property Management, 89 (4), 30-32.
Published in the Journal of Property Management, this article discusses the unique role of Maplewood Guest House in providing immersive learning opportunities while simultaneously serving as a model for property management and community engagement.
Conference Presentation
Webster, C. (Author), Hji-Avgoustis, S. (Author), Martin, D. A. (Author), EuroCHRIE 2025, "Better Education Building Better Communities: Preliminary Findings from a Tri-Sector Experiential Hospitality Learning Experience," EuroCHRIE, The Hotel School The Hague. (November 13, 2025).
Conference Proceeding
Webster, C., Hji-Avgoustis, S., Martin, D.A. (2026). Better Education Building Better Communities? Preliminary Findings from a Tri-Sector Experiential Hospitality Learning Experience. EuroCHRIE 2025 Conference Proceedings (pp. 1-6). EuroCHRIE. https://emeachrie.org/news/eurochrie-conference-proceedings-2026/
Journal Article (Submitted)
Webster, C., Hji-Avgoustis, S., Martin, D. Experiential Hospitality and the Quality of Life of a Community: Lessons Learned from an FCS Experience. JFCS.
Press coverage:
Indiana Economic Alliance Magazine (Spring 2018). Interviewed/quoted in article titled “Optimus Primary: A new mission at Maplewood”.
Ball State Magazine (August 2018). Interviewed in article titled “Students help run Mansion at Minnetrista with hopes of recruiting Doctors to Muncie long term”.
Ball State University Blog (July 2023). Interviewed in article titled “Creating Tranquility: ECAP Students Design Sustainable Outdoor Relaxation Space At Maplewood Guest House”.
Ball State Daily News (September 2024). Interviewed in article titled “Ball Brothers Foundation Partnered with Indiana University School of Medicine, creating an “epicenter” for medical students and immersive learning”.