The class notes reflect news about Ball State alumni and published in our Fall 2025 print issue of Ball State Magazine
1950s
Jane (LaRowe) Hamilton-Merritt, ’58 MA ’62, Redding Ridge, Conn., is a journalist, photographer, war-correspondent, historian, human rights advocate, and expert on Southeast Asia. She was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in 1998 and 2000 for her work on behalf of the Hmong people of Laos.
During the war in Vietnam, she witnessed the massacre of Hmong refugees trapped on a sandbar in the middle of the Mekong River. Feeling helpless to do anything except record what she saw, she committed to recording interviews, documenting everything with photos, and preserving what she learned from the survivors.
From that experience, she published Tragic Mountains: The Hmong, The Americans and the Secret Wars for Laos 1942-1992, which includes interviews with more than 1,000 people, including some 500 Hmong involved in this “secret war.”
1960s
Gerry R. Cox, ’65 MA ’66 PhD ’75, La Crosse, Wis., retired from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, but still hosts the International Death, Grief, and Bereavement Conference there, now in its 46th year. He is an expert in end-of-life care, death, and bereavement. He actively participates in building Habitat for Humanity houses, facilitates bereavement groups, and writes books and articles. He says Ball State prepared him well for his long career. He dedicated his book Promoting Resilience: Responding to Adversity, Vulnerability, and Loss, 2020, to the late Dr. Whitney Gordon, who chaired the sociology department, and Dr. Cox’s master’s and doctoral committees.
Elizabeth (Pogue) Marshall, MA ’68, Muncie, released Two Traveling Cats, a children’s book that follows two cat pals in scenic Ireland. Mrs. Marshall is a retired educator. Her passion for children, animals, the environment, and community led her to establish the Muncie Children’s Museum in the 1970s, a place that still delights children today. She is still very much involved in the museum and is the honorary chair of its most recent capital campaign.
1970s
Theodore (Ted) A. Levin, ’70, Hartford, Vt., is a former Bronx Zoo zoologist and an award-winning nature writer. He recently published The Promise of Sunrise: Seeking Solace in a Broken World, published by Green Writers Press.
Eric A. Ether, ’72, University Place, Wash., retired at age 74 after 40 years with Morgan Stanley as first vice president and portfolio manager. Mr. Ether previously worked for almost 12 years on daily newspapers in Indiana, Colorado, Idaho, and Oregon.
Rayford Crenshaw II, ’76, Westfield, Ind., retired in February 2025 after 40 years as CEO of his insurance company, Crenshaw-Rinehart and Associates, to focus on his gospel singing groups at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church and The Club at Chatham Hills. He was also a member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity for more than 50 years. Mr. Crenshaw passed away soon after his retirement in March 2025.
1980s
Steven T. Folgate, ’81, Yorktown, Ind., owns and operates two Allstate Insurance agencies. The Miller College of Business graduate recently published The Triangle Effect: Your Incredible Journey to Power, Balance, and Energy through Archway Publishing. The book is a blend of memoir and inspirational reading, sharing stories of lessons learned throughout his 40-year career.
Kevin E. Geise, ’81, Flower Mound, Texas, recently published No Boundaries, a historical fiction novel that became an Amazon bestseller. The book explores desegregation in Fort Wayne, Ind., during the 1970s.
Timothy Liddy, ’81, Westfield, Ind., an Indiana-based golf course architect who collaborated with the legendary Pete Dye for 28 years, recently led restoration projects at The Hideaway Golf Club and PGA WEST in La Quinta, Calif.—courses originally designed by Mr. Dye. Mr. Liddy approached the work with a deep personal connection and professional respect, aiming to revive Mr. Dye’s design legacy five years after his passing. Mr. Liddy founded Liddy Associates, a golf course design firm, in 1993.
Leonard (Len ) Forkas Jr., ’82, Reston, Va., is a landscape architecture graduate who, in May 2025, became the fifth-oldest person to complete the Seven Summits, at age 65, by scaling Mt. Everest. He made the climb to raise funds and awareness for Hopecam, the nonprofit he founded to help children with cancer stay connected to school and friends while battling illness. The commercial real estate and wireless tower executive is the founder and president of Milestone Towers. Mr. Forkas is also a public speaker and endurance athlete. Read more about Mr. Forkas’ story.
Melinda L. (Davis) Lanham, ’83, Oconomowoc, Wis., who earned a marketing degree from Ball State, was named the regional chief development officer at the American Red Cross of Wisconsin.
Pamela A. (Pinner) Yetunde, ’84, Chicago, released a new book, Dearly Beloved: Prince, Spirituality & This Thing Called Life.
Jefferson W. Hunt, ’85, Bluffton, Ind., published a collection of short stories titled Elsewhere and Beyond: Collected Short Stories. Mr. Hunt earned his degree in English and journalism.
Stephen B. Dickerson, ’86, Schoolcraft, Mich., was promoted to chief operating officer and vice president of healthcare for Diekema Hamann Architects, Inc. (DHA). Mr. Dickerson previously served as principal and senior healthcare planner. He joined DHA in 2013.
James H. McFaul, ’87, St. Anthony, Ind., was recently named District 6580 Rotarian of the Year. Mr. McFaul is a member of the Dubois County Rotary Club and serves as Assistant Governor, Area 3 for District 6580. The District, based in Southern Indiana, consists of 32 Rotary clubs and more than 1,500 Rotarians.
William J. Mabee, ’88, Winona Lake, Ind., was promoted to CTB vice president and general manager for PigTek. Mr. Mabee previously served as vice president of global credit and risk management and has been with the company for 27 years. PigTek provides hog production solutions, including systems for sow health, pig growth, environmental control, electronic and sow feeding, biometrics, animal ID, air quality, and integrated data management.
Holly A. (Hubbard) Miller, ’89, Washington, D.C., accepted a new position as the federal liaison for the Office of STEM Engagement at NASA Headquarters. Dr. Miller has a degree in psychological science from Ball State.
1990s
Dean A. Orewiler, ’91, Fremont, Ind., is in his 15th year working as a staff photographer for the Department of Marketing and Communications at Trine University in Angola, Ind. Mr. Orewiler majored in journalism at Ball State. In 2012, he earned a Bronze Award for Photographer of the Year from the CASE Circle of Excellence Awards Program. Additionally, he received the President’s Award for Outstanding Service during his employment. He is also a vocalist in a local Angola group called The Crushing Daffodils Band.
Tricia A. (Hockaday) Renner, ’91, Fairborn, Ohio, was named vice president of member relations for Common App. Common App is a non-profit membership organization representing more than 1,100 diverse institutions of higher education. It connects applicants and those who support them to a wide array of public and private colleges and universities across all 50 U.S. states and 18 countries.
Rick K. Granlund, ’92, Indianapolis, is director of bands at North Central High School. In May, his school band went head-to-head with his son’s school band at the Indiana State School Music Association group finals at Lawrence Central High School in Indianapolis. Connor R. Granlund, ’24, Indianapolis, was, at the time, band director at West Lafayette High School. In Fall 2025, the younger Mr. Granlund became associate band director at Carmel High School. Rick’s wife (Connor’s mother), Candi R. (Edson) Granlund, ’95, is a band director at Zionsville West Middle School, and Avery J. (Cox) Granlund, ’23, Connor’s wife, is an assistant band director at Tecumseh Jr. High in Lafayette.
Mark A. McCleese, ’92, Indianapolis, retired this year from the United States Probation Office after 20 years of service. During his career, Mr. McCleese was the lead safety instructor, a Top Gun award winner for being the highest marksman in the district, and a senior officer. Additionally, in 2005, he won the Thomas E. Gahl Goodwill Award. This award is given to officers who demonstrate positive traits and recognizes Thomas Gahl, the first federal probation officer killed in the line of duty in 1986.
David W. Holt, ’93, Pittsboro, Ind., was named chief operating officer for Community Redevelopment Partners, based in South Bend, Ind., and also serves as a senior advisor for Krieg DeVault Law Firm in Indianapolis. He previously served as chief operating officer and chief of staff at the Indiana Destination Development Corporation, the State of Indiana’s tourism agency.
Melinda S. (Smith) Kemper, ’93, Muncie, is co-founder of the Delaware County Special Needs Prom, a nonprofit that holds many events throughout the year for high school age to senior individuals with special needs—the largest being the Prom, which had more than 900 individuals at its 2025 event in May. Ms. Kemper is also co-owner of a local answering service in downtown Muncie with her husband, Thomas A. Kemper, ’94. The couple and their special needs twins are also very active in Special Olympics of Delaware County.
Kristina L. (King) Krone, ’93, Indianapolis, was elected to the Common Council of the City of Lawrence. Ms. Krone is also a tutor for AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination), a college and career readiness program, at Lawrence North High School and has lived in the community for more than 20 years. She assumed a new role in 2024 as coordinator of outpatient and pulmonary rehabilitation for Community Hospital South in Indianapolis.
James A. Pierce, ’93, Chicago, a graduate of the Department of Journalism, co-authored The Uptown: Chicago’s Endangered Movie Palace with CityFiles Press. The book tells the story of the architectural icon at risk of demolition.
Kimberly M. (Vance) Kingham, AS ’95 BGS ’95, Indianapolis, has worked in the respiratory therapy field for almost 30 years.
Dana A. (Hunsinger) Benbow, ’97, Fortville, Ind., won the Indiana Sportswriter of the Year from the National Sports Media Association. Ms. Benbow is a sportswriter for The Indianapolis Star and USA TODAY.
Lana D. (Krstich) Manikowski, ’97, Chicago, works as a life coach and hosts the podcast So Now What?, which focuses on the subject of infertility. She is an activist advocating for women worldwide who are childless not by choice and have undergone IVF treatments. At Ball State, Ms. Manikowski served as the general chair of the Homecoming Steering Committee, represented Ball State and Indiana as the Cherry Blossom Princess in Washington, D.C., and actively participated in the alumni association. In 2004, she received the G.O.L.D. Award for the Graduate of the Last Decade.
2ooos
Molly A. McGuire, AA ’00 ’02 MA ’20, Selma, Ind., was part of the American Heart Association’s 2025 Go Red for Women Class of Survivors. She was among 12 women chosen by the AHA for its 2025 campaign to represent the organization on both state and national levels. Its aim is to educate the public about maternal health and pregnancy complications associated with high blood pressure disorders, a situation Ms. McGuire faced during her pregnancy with her son, Michael. She and the other women shared their stories to raise awareness and inspire others.
Robin M. Schifano, MA ’02 PhD ’11, Houston, was promoted to director of counseling and wellness at Lone Star College-CyFair in Houston. Dr. Schifano earned her advanced degrees in school psychology at Ball State.
Joseph (J.T.) Marcum, ’04, Brambleton, Va., who majored in telecommunications, was promoted to executive vice president, corporate operations & supply chain at CORT Business Services, a Berkshire Hathaway company. CORT is the world’s leading furniture rental provider. In this new role, he oversees its global supply chain, product development, corporate real estate portfolio, housewares kitting operations, transportation, fleet management, and dispatch.
Amy L. (Hollingsworth) Benetti, ’05, Cincinnati, a graduate of the Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning, was promoted to vice president of operations at MSA Design, leading operational strategy to drive efficiency and collaboration.
Erica B. (Levine) Seabaugh, ’06, Fishers, Ind., was named chief operating officer at CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions in Indianapolis. CICOA, a nonprofit organization, provides a wide range of supportive services for older adults, individuals of any age with a disability, and their caregivers to promote safe and independent living. Ms. Seabaugh has dedicated nearly 17 years to CICOA, serving Central Indiana.
Catharine A. (Ahls) Klein, ’08, Burleson, Texas, is the head band director at Kerr Middle School in Burleson. Her middle school honors band was selected as a featured ensemble for the 79th Midwest Clinic: International Band and Orchestra Conference in Chicago, the largest international instrumental music education conference in the world, which will take place in December 2025.
Anindita R. Chaundry, ’09, Muncie, was the lead architect on three architectural projects and one interior design project focused on experimental design approaches and theoretical exploration. In addition to her professional work, she authored a comprehensive Hindi-English bilingual book for English speakers learning Hindi and is set to publish three more interactive books this year. She also earned seven gold medals in virtual cyclothons, including completing the CAC challenge—an 80-day, 1,491-kilometer ride.
Michael J. Suer, ’09, Oregon, Wis., was awarded one of the 2024 SpineLine top 20 spine providers under 40 by the North American Spine Society. Dr. Suer was also named the division chair of physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Wisconsin.
2010s
Seth E. Davis, ’11, Cordova, Tenn., won the 2025 CCCC Lavender Rhetorics Award for Excellence in Queer Scholarship’s Nontraditional Scholarly Text Award for the YouTube documentary, Unbuckling the Bible Belt: Black Queer Cruising in Memphis. This award is presented annually to four works—one book, one article or book chapter, one dissertation, and one nontraditional scholarly text—published within the past two years that best make queer interventions into the study of composition and rhetoric. The award was presented in a ceremony in Baltimore on April 11.
T.J. Harris,’11, Los Angeles, is an actor and the founder and CEO of InstinctiVision Films. He recently co-produced Cottage Grove, a short film that was acquired by AMC+. The film, written and directed by George Ellzey Jr., has been showcased at multiple festivals and explores themes of Black masculinity, fatherhood, and reconciliation. Mr. Harris is best known for his role as Gavin Murphy on the NBC show Chicago Fire.
Chandler Schafer Deakin,’12, Louisville, Ky., is an executive assistant at Estes Public Relations, a boutique lifestyle agency headquartered in Louisville. The firm was recently honored with Public Relations Agency of the Year and Public Relations Team of the Year at the Icons of Whisky Awards.
Alisha S. Rocha,’12, Elkhart, Ind., was named Osolo Elementary School’s Teacher of the Year for 2024-25. She has spent her entire career with Elkhart Community Schools.
William (Bill) R. Bradford,’17, Brownsburg, Ind., accepted a position at Teacher Created Materials as the representative for Indiana. Teacher Created Materials is a 50-year-old publishing company based in California that produces supplemental materials for K–12. Mr. Bradford majored in secondary education with a concentration in English studies.
Nathan M. DeYoung, ’18, Bentonville, Ark., After six years with The Weather Channel, Mr. DeYoung, a telecommunications major in the College of Communication, Information, and Media, accepted a position as chief of staff, global communications with Walmart. He reports directly to Walmart’s chief communications officer.
2020s
Evan Hoffmeyer, MA ’21, Indianapolis, who earned a master’s degree in journalism, has been promoted to vice president of communications of the Indiana Bankers Association. In this position, he is responsible for all the IBA’s print and digital communications, including serving as managing editor for the IBA’s bimonthly Hoosier Banker magazine and handling media relations.
