Meet the magazine staff
Tim Obermiller
Tim is editor of Ball State University Alumni Magazine and a senior content strategist for the University. He was previously managing editor of the University of Chicago Magazine and editor of Illinois Wesleyan University Magazine, and has won multiple writing and editing awards.
Beth Brooks
Beth, ’95, is a creative strategist and graphic designer for Ball State Magazine, working with writers, editors and photographers to unify the visual presentation of the Ball State story. Beth creates page layouts for the print magazine and helps to manage content on its website.
Mark Whitney
Mark is an award-winning web developer whose skills have been key to the creation and upkeep of the Ball State Magazine website. The site is one reflection of his ability to wed programming and the imagination. Outside of work, Mark loves to experience art in museums and galleries.
Jennifer Criss
Jennifer Criss, ’98, is a contributing writer for the Ball State Magazine and coordinates the production of the print marketing pieces produced for campus clients. She also assists the copyediting of Ball State webpages. In her spare time, she writes fiction and poetry.
Kari Gayes
Kari Gayes, ’06, is a contributing writer for Ball State Magazine and an account strategist for Marketing and Communications. Kari especially loves working on stories and projects that showcase the many educational and cultural experiences Ball State offers students, faculty, staff, and the local community. Outside of work, Kari is a reader, runner, novice tap dancer, theatre lover, Muncie enthusiast, mom of two, and wife to a fellow Cardinal.
Anthony Romano
Anthony, MA ’13, is the director of creative services at Ball State and contributes video content for Ball State Magazine. And don’t worry, his New England roots and love affair with the Patriots do not cloud his journalistic judgment when it comes to creating visually compelling stories about the university and its students.
Dan Forst
Dan, ’85, brings a passion for sports to his management of Ball State athletics graphics projects, which can be seen in glorious color in places such as Scheumann Stadium and Worthen Arena. He also supports various campus partners, including Business Affairs and the award-winning Graduate School. He covers the Cardinals for Ball State Magazine. It’s a natural fit.
Domenic Centofanti
Domenic, MA ’04, has over 30 years’ experience as a visual storyteller, with award-winning work published in national magazines such as Cosmopolitan, ESPN, Forbes, People and Sports Illustrated. Among this Michigander’s accolades are 11 Michigan Press Association awards as a photographer and two ADDY Awards in 2015 as a videographer for Ball State.
Samantha Strahan
Samantha, ’15, is a contributing photographer/videographer for Ball State Magazine. After completing degrees in journalism and English studies, the Muncie native became Marketing and Communications’ first female full-time photographer in 2016. In her spare time, she loves spending time with family, practicing mixed martial arts and playing with her three rescue dogs and her cat.