Cardinal Pride: Alumni News (Fall 2023)
David Letterman at the debut of the student produced documentary “Clear Reception” with David Letterman
A Legend Returns
David Letterman, ’69, returned to campus in May to speak with an audience at Emens Auditorium and to debut the student-produced documentary “Clear Reception with David Letterman.” The film resulted from a collaboration of students in the Department of Media, Center for Emerging Media Design & Development, and Schools of Art and Music. The film chronicled Mr. Letterman’s new-found fascination with glass art at Ball State’s Glick Center for Glass and the making of a unique art piece inspired by his everyday life. Mr. Letterman was joined on stage by recent graduates Faith Denig (producer), and Ameliah Kolp (writer/director), and Academy Award-winning director Morgan Neville.
1970s
Sharon A. Robinson, ’70 BS ’72, Carmel, Ind., celebrated 40 years of dedicated service with F.C. Tucker Real Estate Company. Ms. Robinson is also a relocation expert and an American Red Cross Disaster response volunteer.
Mary E. (Munchel) Posner, ’71, Tell City, Ind., was part of a multi-part PBS documentary, “The Movement and the Madman,” which chronicles the efforts of protesters to keep nuclear weapons out of Vietnam. Dr. Posner organized Ball State’s chapter of the Vietnam Moratorium Committee and was a key figure in the student anti-war movement in Muncie, Ind. Dr. Posner was also interviewed by fellow alum Brad Byrd, ’74, on the news program “InDepth” on WEHT, Channel 25 of Evansville.
For more than 30 years, a group of brothers of Phi Sigma Epsilon (now Phi Sigma Kappa) has gathered annually at the last home basketball game of the season. The group, including Joe Huber, ’73, John Dietrich, ’73, Dave Shanks, ’73, Steve Redden, ’73, Rob Reeve, ’74, Brad Coates, ’74, Steve Dyer, ’74, Phil DeRolf, ’74, Greg Dyer, ’77, Bill Lackey, ’79, Eric Calstedt, ’92, and up to about 15 others, have lunch and share stories at the Pizza King on Bethel Avenue, visit the Village and shop for Ball State gear, and end the trip with breakfast at the Sunshine Café the next day before departing. The important tradition is one they hope to continue.
Marlene Carey, ’77, Anderson, Ind., former human resources director at Community Hospital of Anderson, launched her public relations firm, Carey Forward Communications, LLC.
For more than 30 years, a group of brothers of Phi Sigma Epsilon (now Phi Sigma Kappa) has gathered annually at the last home basketball game of the season. The group, including Joe Huber, ’73, John Dietrich, ’73, Dave Shanks, ’73, Steve Redden, ’73, Rob Reeve, ’74, Brad Coates, ’74, Steve Dyer, ’74, Phil DeRolf ’74, Greg Dyer, ’77, Bill Lackey,’79, Eric Calstedt, ’92, and up to about 15 others, have lunch and share stories at the Pizza King on Bethel Avenue, visit the Village and shop for Ball State gear, and end the trip with breakfast at the Sunshine Cafe the next day before departing. The important tradition is one they hope to continue.1980s
William (Mike) Sherman, MS ’80, Youngstown, Ohio, former faculty member and vice provost at Ohio State University and former provost at the University of Akron, has been named special assistant to the president at Youngstown State University and will oversee the new Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Strategic Planning.
Steven K. Alspaugh, ’82, Indianapolis, was elevated to the American Institute of Architects (AIA) College of Fellows. AIA Fellows achieve this membership honor for their work and contributions on a national level to the profession of architecture and society. Only three percent of AIA’s total membership carries this distinction.
Kevin A. Lansberry, ’86, Orlando, Fla., assumed the role of interim chief financial officer of the Walt Disney Company. Mr. Lansberry had been the CFO of Disney Parks.
Craig D. Farnsworth, ’86, Muncie, was named to The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Council Fellows. Mr. Farnsworth is the Roan Distinguished Professor of Practice in the Department of Landscape Architecture.
Eric R. Jackson, ’88, Florence, Ky., professor of History and associate dean in the College of Arts and Sciences, and former director of the Black Studies program at Northern Kentucky University, published “An Introduction to Black Studies.” The book’s seventeen chapters address the eight primary disciplines of Black Studies: history, sociology, psychology, feminism, religion, education, political science, and the arts.
55+ Years of Dedication
Dr. Thomas Harris, ’67 MA ’68, associate professor of Information Systems and Operations Management, has had a front-row seat to the evolution of computers and technology, starting in the Office of Research as instructor of computer techniques and research computing consultant in 1968.
“This phone in my pocket has more power than all the computers in Indiana combined had when I started,” Dr. Harris said with a laugh.
Entering his 56th academic year this Fall, Dr. Harris holds the record for the longest period of continuous service to the University—and he’s not ready to retire just yet.
“My passion is teaching, and I am not tired of it yet,” he said. “If I can get students to think critically and creatively, I have done my job. And I don’t want to do anything else.”
1990s
Kevin D. Shelley, ’90, Brownsburg, Ind., was promoted to chief operations officer of Schmidt Associates, an architecture, engineering, and interior design firm in Indianapolis. Mr. Kelley joined the firm in 1990. Some of his notable projects include the NCAA Headquarters and Hall of Champions, the Indianapolis Marion County Consolidated Civil and Criminal Courthouse, and the Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion.
James (Jere) Robinson, ’92, Indianapolis, joined Choice Hotels International as regional vice president, upscale hotel development. Mr. Robinson is the Midwest regional leader for the U.S.-based Cambria Hotels development team.
With more than 25 years of legal and human resources expertise behind her, Lori K. Stanger, ’93, Winona Lake, Ind., became vice president of people & culture at Wildman. Wildman is a family-owned company that provides uniforms, linens, PPE, and other safety products to the Midwest region.
Jenna Hyatt, MA ’94, Pullman, Wash., was named associate vice chancellor for Student Affairs and dean of students at Washington State University in Pullman, Wash. Dr. Hyatt received her master’s in College Student Counseling and Personnel Services.
Chris Ruszkowski, ’94, Denver, was promoted to chief marketing officer of Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii. Mr. Ruszkowski has over 25 years of marketing experience and hopes to lead Bad Ass Coffee in its franchise development and sales growth. He has been with the company since 2020.
Jeffery M. Sears, ’95, Cicero, Ind., was elevated to vice president of Enterprise Sales at UKG (Ultimate Kronos Group.) Mr. Sears has been with the company for three years, most recently as regional sale director.
Kiesha M. Warren-Gordon, ’95, Fishers, Ind., a longtime professor of Criminal Justice and Criminology at Ball State, was the recipient of the 2023 Gerald Bepko Community Engagement Grant Award. This award, given by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, honors a faculty member at an Indiana institution who embodies the concept of community engagement.
Michael J. Rains, ’96, Indianapolis, was named chief financial officer at Cambia Health Solutions in Indianapolis. Most recently, Mr. Rains was vice president of strategic finance for Elevance, where he was responsible for all strategic finance covering three million Medicare and 12 million Medicaid members.
Richard “Dick” Emens, LLD ’22, Columbus, Ohio, son of former Ball State President John R. Emens and longtime supporter of Ball State, passed away in June at 89. Dick Emens served in several roles at the University, including board chair and chair of the Finance Committee of the Ball State University Foundation Board of Trustees. He also served as board chair and scholarship chair for the Ball State Bold capital campaign.
After his father passed away in 1976, Mr. Emens established the Emens Leadership program in his father’s memory and was deeply committed to the success of Emens Scholars. Over 40 Emens scholarships now benefit exceptional high school students on their paths to Ball State. Ball State awarded Mr. Emens an honorary Doctor of Laws degree in 2022. Mr. Emens will be remembered for his dedication to students and generosity to the University.
2010s
Having worked in several entertainment industry positions, Joseph R. Jansen, ’11, Orlando, Fla., accepted a position as senior manager, attraction operations at Universal Orlando Resorts. In this role, Mr. Jansen manages overall rider and show operations and is responsible for overseeing guest service standards, facility upkeep, budgets, hiring and training of staff, safety, and many other components of the day-to-day operations of the parks.
Torey W. Fox, ’15 MA ’17, Cornelius, N.C., received his second promotion in his six-year tenure with NASCAR. He is now senior manager, social media content with the organization, managing day-to-day operations of the league’s social media handles on X, Facebook, Instagram, and others.
Lincoln M. Clauss, ’17, Brooklyn, N.Y., will star in the Tony Award-winning musical Cabaret with performances running through Oct. 8, 2023, at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego. Mr. Clauss has appeared in Burn All Night, Peter Pan, Sweeney Todd, and Rent. His television credits include “Batwoman” and “Girls5eva,” a Netflix musical also starring Busy Phillips, Tina Fey, Amy Sedaris, and Jimmy Fallon, among others.
Megan A. York, ’18, New York City, joined Nike as an associate AIA – 3D Footwear Designer. Ms. York has worked with several prominent architecture firms since earning her Bachelor of Science in Architecture from Ball State. Previously, she was also a faculty member at the University of Pennsylvania Stuart Weitman School of Design.
Jordan A. Edouard, ’19, Coral Springs, Fla., was announced as the new coach for the girls soccer team at Coral Springs Charter School. Ms. Edouard played for Ball State’s soccer team and earned her degree in Exercise Science.
After 13 seasons working with the Tri-City ValleyCats minor league baseball team in Troy, N.Y., Michelle R. Skinner, ’07, Fayetteville, N.C., made a move to work with the Fayetteville Woodpeckers as their general manager-one of only two women in the Carolina League, and one of only nine women in minor league baseball. In her travels, she’s met Kara E. Beitler, ’21 MS ’22, minor league dietitian apprentice, and Zachary Cole, former Ball State outfielder who’s played for the House Astros and the Fayetteville Woodpeckers and been named Player of the Week twice. The trio bonded over their love of baseball and Ball State.2000s
Byron A. Hughes, MA ’02, Knoxville, Tenn., was appointed associate vice chancellor for Student Affairs and dean of students at the University of Tennessee (UT). Dr. Hughes joins UT from Virginia Tech, where he served as dean of students for five years.
Allison D. Otu, ’03, Phoenix, was named associate vice president of outreach with Educational Outreach and Student Services at Arizona State University. Ms. Otu is also the Greater Phoenix Economic Council Health Innovation Committee co-chair. She is a board member of the Arizona School for the Arts, the Children’s Museum of Phoenix, and the Downtown Phoenix Partnership. In 2019, she was appointed by Mayor Kate Gallego to the Phoenix Women’s Commission and serves as Chair.
Having served Auburn University as director of Health Promotion and Wellness Services since 2010, Eric C. Smith, MA ’04, Auburn, Ala., was appointed the new executive director of Campus Recreation and Wellness Center and Sportsplex after a national search.
Joshua W. Shenk, MBA ’06, Cincinnati, was hired by Midmark Corp. of Versailles, Ohio, as vice president of Research and Development. Mr. Shenk will oversee research and development in outpatient care, concentrating on products and solutions that enhance patient outcomes.
Jennifer A. Terry, ’06, London, England, was elevated to director of international emerging talent recruiting for Meta (formerly Facebook). Ms. Terry has been with the company since 2017.
Ashlie D. White, ’06, Chicago, was promoted to senior vice president; brand, multicultural at Edelman, a communications firm with more than 60 offices globally.
Tricia L. Chamberlain, ’07, Portland, Ore., was elevated to senior creative director, global brand director of Nike Women. Ms. Chamberlain has been with Nike since 2014.
After 13 seasons working with the Tri-City ValleyCats minor league baseball team in Troy, N.Y., Michelle R. Skinner (right), ’07, Fayetteville, N.C., made a move to work with the Fayetteville Woodpeckers as their general manager—one of only two women in the Carolina League, and one of only nine women in minor league baseball. In her travels, she’s met Kara E. Beitler (left), ’21 MS ’22, minor league dietitian apprentice, and Zachary Cole (center), former Ball State outfielder who’s played for the Houston Astros and the Fayetteville Woodpeckers and been named Player of the Week twice. The trio bonded over their love of baseball and Ball State.
2020s
Ryan M. Kennedy, ’21, Oklahoma City, was hired by Goodwill North Central Texas as its director of e-commerce sales. This role carries responsibilities that involve driving success and growth in Goodwill’s e-commerce department, including implementing sales strategies, overseeing budgets, and managing staff.
