Meeting Minutes
Ball State University Alumni Association
Miller College of Business Alumni Board of Directors
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Ball State University Alumni Center
Attendance: Ed Armantrout, Rebecca Baer, Michael Earley, Ray Ferguson, Michelle Johnson, Karen Mangia, Tim Pierce, Raj Sanyal, Sushil Sharma, Cory Spaulding, Sue Taylor, and Kevin Bergan and Steve Imler (via conference call). Guest: Tammy Estep
The meeting was called to order by President Michael Earley at 3:10 p.m.
Introductions were made of all board members in attendance, including those via conference call.
A motion to approve the November 1, 2012 minutes was made by Ferguson, a second by Baer, and unanimously approved.
Election of New Officers (slated) 2-yr terms to 12/31/14
Tim Pierce, President; Karen Mangia, Vice President; Ed Armantrout, Alumni Council Representative;
The board passed the slate unanimously.
Alumni Council updates (Council has not met since September)
Miller College Dean's report
Dean Sanyal indicated that the beginning of this spring semester is off to a quick start. The college is aggressively designing a new major in logistics. It is an emphasis of Indiana Governor Mike Pence. There will be faculty added in operations management and the major is expected to be implemented in the fall, 2013. There is an opportunity to engage a large group of alumni in that sector.
Michael Ray, CEO of Vera Bradley, a 1983 accounting grad, visited campus recently as an Executive in Residence. It was a great opportunity for students to meet and hear from him. Weston Smith will be on campus March 20 as part of the Speaker Series.
Several new support staff were hired in the college. Rebecca Baer, ‘99MBA05, was hired as the new MBA program director, with a focus to increase the MBA enrollment. She joins the staff in February.
The dean reported that the Indiana Commission on Higher Education, ICHE, has issued a cut to the funding formula for the university (one emphasis is to graduate students in four years). It is less of a cut than feared, but still a reduction in funding.
Sanyal said that there is still a need for seven more mentors for the Mentoring Program.
Dialogue Days
Estep mentioned the invitation has been sent via email. RSVPs were due at the end of January. There will be three panels again this year, and a reception from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. on Thursday in the Student Lounge. The board was asked to stay and network during the lunch both Wednesday and Thursday.
Miller Mentors
Estep reported that a couple prospects have said they are interested and a few leads still need to be followed up. Mentor reception dates are being set as far in advance as possible so that it is convenient for the mentors. The next receptions are scheduled for September 26, 2013 and February 21, 2014.
Cardinal Business Forum
Baer mentioned it is approximately 5 months away. The grassroots committee is in place and plans are underway. The first save the date email will be sent in February. Recruiting attendees is of high priority for the committee and the board. Earley mentioned that someone needs to step up to be Baer's assistant this year and take the lead next year due to her new position at the Miller College. Another idea might be looking at some of those on the grassroots committee and maybe one of those members, if MCOB alumnus, could join this board.
Alumni Award Nominations
Estep reported that two nominations have been sent in. The nominations committee will meet in early April to discuss nominees.
Alumni Awards Dinner
Mangia thanked everyone who made the event happen. Record underwriting and included some new donors. Returning sponsors is always great but obtaining new ones and inspiring first time participation in that experience is of key importance. From a timing and logistics perspective everything went well other than the slowness of moving guests from the reception into the dinner.
Alumni Board Membership
Earley mentioned the need to get additional members who would be dedicated for a few years. We need to fill a few spots with some great alumni, who must also be donors.
New Business
Sanyal asked about another city for implementing the Cardinal Business Forum. Fort Wayne and Cincinnati are on the target. However, some business leaders in that area need to make a commitment and take on a leadership role before planning can begin, and dates will need to be coordinated with other Alumni Association commitments.
The board thanked and expressed their appreciation for Earley excellent leadership as president over the last three years.
Next Alumni Society meeting dates, locations
• Wednesday, April 17, 2013 – 3:00 p.m. in the Ball State Student Center Orr Room. Ramon Avila will speak from 5-7 in Cardinal Hall for Distinguished Professor Lecture Series.
• Thursday, June 6, 2013 – 3:00 p.m. at the Ritz Charles, Carmel, followed by Cardinal Business Forum
Upcoming MCOB Alumni Board Events
• Dialogue Days, Wed. & Thurs., February 20 and 21, 2013
• Alumni/Miller Mentor Reception, Thurs. February 21, 2013
• Indianapolis Cardinal Business Forum – Thursday, June 6, 2013, Ritz Charles, Carmel
Additional MCOB Spring Speakers and Events
• Wednesday, March 20, Speaker Series, Weston Smith Crossing the Line: An Insider's Story of the HealthSouth Fraud, Student Center Ballroom, 4–5 p.m. Smith is president, ChalkLine Solutions, Inc. and has appeared on CNBC and Fox Business Network. www.WestonSmith.biz. . (Underwritten by the Neil Palomba Fund)
• Thursday, March 28: Distinguished Professor Lecture Series, Michael Goldsby, Forum Room, Student Center, 5 – 7 p.m.
• Wednesday, April 24: Executive in Residence/Speaker Series, Jeff Fetters, Chairman, CEO, Federated Insurance
• Monday, April 29: Accounting Alumni Awards, Alumni Center, 6 – 9 p.m.
• Saturday, May 4: Spring Commencement, Emens Auditorium, 2:30 p.m.