Arts & Culture

CLASS NOTES

E. Lee Weir, MA ’63, Bedford, Iowa, is an independent marketing consultant. Before that, he was a graphics communications professor at Clemson University and University of Central Missouri. His accolades include the Accrediting Council for Collegiate Graphic Communications’ Dr. Richard F. Hannemann Service Award in 2017 for his time, energy, and expertise to advance collegiate graphic communications education.

William Moser, ’67 MA ’69, Muncie, won the Top Academic category at the 2nd Annual Awards to Honor Supply Chain Professionals in Central Indiana. Moser is an assistant professor of marketing at Ball State.

John R. Hall, ’72, Indianapolis, a deputy mayor under then-Mayor Stephen Goldsmith and former director of the U.S. Housing and Urban Development’s Indianapolis field office, has been inducted into Shortridge High School Alumni Association’s Hall of Fame.

Cathy Moss, ’72, Louisville, Kentucky, was elected second vice president of International Chapter of the P.E.O. Sisterhood. Since 1869, the Philanthropic Educational Organization has helped more than 109,000 women pursue an education by providing almost

Ball State’s third Hurlbut Hall alumni reunion took place this Fall in Muncie. It offered Hurlbut residents from the 1970s and 1980s a chance to rekindle friendships and make new memories. Hurlbut is (so far) the only Ball State residence hall to hold an official reunion. Back in 1975 it became the first University residence hall to offer coed living accommodations on alternating floors. All three reunions were organized through social media, with help from the Alumni Association. Ann (Zondor) Hentschel, ’83, was the reunion’s chief organizer.

$345 million in awards, grants, loans, and scholarships, plus owning Cottey College.

April (Thruston) Oldham, ’79, Indianapolis, and her daughter, Sarah Clayton, ’07, Indianapolis, took the field together as part of a large reunion of alumni band members, Cardettes, and color guard with the Pride of Mid-America Marching Band during Ball State’s 2019 Homecoming.

1980s

Michael C. LaFerney, MA ’80, Haverhill, Massachusetts, has authored an article, “The Ecopsychological View of Seasonal Affective Disorder.” LaFerney is a psychiatric clinical nurse specialist at Arbour Senior Care.

Gregory Fehribach, ’80 MA ’83, Indianapolis, began an initiative with Eskenazi Health in 2013 to match Ball State students with internships in Indianapolis’ health care system. The initiative has expanded to a program that includes other universities and mentoring. In 2019, Eskenazi renamed the program as the Gregory S. Fehribach Center at Eskenazi Health. Fehribach is a distinguished fellow in inclusive excellence at Ball State. Ezell Marrs, AA ’81 BS ’87, Indianapolis, was appointed vice president of enrollment management at Martin University. He most recently was director of admissions. Marrs also serves as president of Diversity Roundtable of Central Indiana and is a board member of Indianapolis Uplift Foundation and A-Way-Out Ministries.

Linda (Roberts) Pett, ’82, North Potomac, Maryland, reunited with other members of Delta Gamma sorority at the Indiana Motor Speedway. It’s been nearly 40 years since graduation, and Delta Gamma no longer has a chapter on campus, but more than 20 former members gathered to celebrate.

Carolyn (Compton) Friend, ’86 MA ’88, Tipton, Indiana, has practiced speechlanguage pathology for more than 35 years and has been with Tipton Community School Corp. for 26 years.

Erik Deckers, ’89 MA ’90, Orlando, Florida, released a humor novel, Mackinac Island Nation. He also has published several books about personal branding and social media marketing. During the tumultuous autumn of 1969, a small group of Ball State students marched in unison to protest the Vietnam War as part of the Vietnam Moratorium Committee (VMC). This October, members of the original group hosted a conference and reunion commemorating the 50th anniversary of that event, which was part of the largest protest demonstration in U.S. history and culminated with a march on Washington, D.C.

“Antiwar activism at Ball State, though not as massive or militant as that at other universities, nonetheless attracted national press coverage,” said Mary (Munchel) Posner, ’71, who led Ball State’s VMC chapter in 1969 and 1970.

Posner collaborated with Michael Doyle, associate professor of history emeritus, in organizing the 2019 event to rekindle interest among young people about the power of promoting peace and social justice, and also to honor veterans who died in the war. Panels included faculty as well as alumni who were involved in the original VMC group. David Harris, a well-known antiwar activist, gave the keynote address.

Because of her work on the conference, Posner was invited to speak in November 2019 at the Vietnam Peace Commemoration Committee held in Washington, D.C. A clinical psychologist, Posner resides in Tell City, Indiana.

Mary Posner (above left) and Michael Doyle stand in front of some of the thousand-plus origami cranes folded by volunteers for display at the event. At left, Posner lights a memorial flame at the start of Vietnam Moratorium day on October 19, 1969.

1990s

Beth J. Brown, ’91, Plainfield, Indiana, reunited with Troy Crum, ’92, Plainfield, Indiana, at the Ball State-Indiana University football game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Brown befriended Crum when he was a freshman, and she was his “big sister.”

Ryan C. Sheppard, ’96, Fairfield, Connecticut, was reappointed to serve on the Advisory Council of the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants. Sheppard is a partner in Knight Rolleri Sheppard CPAs in Fairfield.

David A. Northern Sr., ’97, Champaign, Illinois, is the CEO/executive director of the Housing Authority of Champaign County and was elected senior vice president of Public Housing Authorities Directors Association. Peter D. Sampson, ’99, Greenwood, Indiana, is among 25 semifinalists for the 2020 Music Educator Award out of more than 3,300 nominations. He teaches at Whiteland Community High School. Ten finalists for the award, from the Recording Academy and Grammy Museum, will be announced in December 2019. The seventh annual winner will attend the 62nd Grammys in Los Angeles, plus get a $10,000 honorarium and a matching grant for the winner’s school.

Alan W. Wilson, ’99 MA ’00, Evergreen, Colorado, will oversee Avant Global’s strategy, organizational development, talent and operations, plus manage its private equity fund as the company’s new president. Avant Global is a venture capital investment, business advisory, and private equity fund management firm based in Santa Barbara, California.

In our previous issue, we noted the passing of Edwin Dale Shipley, ’68 MA ’71, longtime leader of the Ball State University Alumni Association, who died on May 17, 2019. The article failed to mention that among his surviving children is Staci Shipley Knigga, MAE ’11. We apologize for the omission.

2000s

Kareema Boykin, ’01, Indianapolis, and Claire E. Lacy recently met while volunteering at an Indy BackPack Attack event. The group collects supplies to help kids succeed in school. Boykin shared her experiences at Ball State with Lacy, who is a freshman. Lacy showed Boykin the chirp sign, which is fairly new, and a Ball State app that would let her reconnect with Ball State. A wonderful example of current students and alumni working together in the spirit of giving back to others.

KEEP IN TOUCH

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Jonathan Siedel, ’04, Mount Prospect, Illinois, published Second City Sinners: True Crime from Historic Chicago’s Deadly Streets. The book takes us back to the days when Al Capone and John Dillinger ran the streets of Chicago and how they are responsible for some of Chicago’s most notorious crimes. Seidel is a crime reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times and has been with the newspaper since 2012.

Bram Barth, ’05, Denver, was tapped to manage Lose Design’s new western region office in Denver. Barth, associate vice president of landscape architecture, will oversee operations in that office and will be responsible for cultivating relationships and expanding the office. Lose is based in Nashville, Tennessee.

Kevin Robertson, ’07, Valparaiso, Indiana, was the 2019 alumni speaker of the year for Ball State’s criminal justice and criminology department. Robertson is a delivery operation senior manager for Wal-Mart, responsible for home delivery to several states.

Henry O. Hall, ’93, was appointed by Gov. Eric Holcomb to serve on Ball State’s Board of Trustees. As a student, he earned his bachelor’s degree in finance and accounting and was the football team’s co-captain. Hall is president of Skytech Products Group, a leading manufacturer of control systems for the hearth and HVAC industries. An active alumnus, the Fort Wayne resident has also served community groups such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana and the Fort Wayne Urban League.

2010s

Katheryn Pourcho, ’11, Indianapolis, was named the Indiana Department of Education’s 2020 Teacher of the Year. She teaches art to K-2 students at North Elementary School in Danville. Pourcho is also a professional artist and recently completed an art residency in Switzerland.

Brad Zukowski, ’12, and Alyssa Hofelt, ’14, were married in Laporte, Colorado, on June 9, 2019.

Bryan Beerman, ’13 MA ’15, Greenville, South Carolina, received a Ball State Graduate of the Last Decade (G.O.L.D.) Award at the annual Alumni & Benefactors Recognition Dinner. Beerman is an architect with LS3P Associates, an eight-office firm founded in 1963 with over 560 design awards to its credit.

Jenna Hague, ’15 MBA ’16, Burlington, Ontario, was promoted to director, payments strategy, at CUMIS Group Ltd. Hague will lead her team in strategically navigating digital commerce within the emerging payments landscape.

Laura Sportiello, ’15, Chicago, was an ensemble member in the Porchlight Music Theatre production of Sunset Boulevard. She also was an understudy for the role of Betty Shaefer in the show, which was performed in Chicago in October. Sportiello will work on Wonder Women The Musical for the Chicago Musical Theatre Festival this February.

Julia Ricci, ’15, Indianapolis, is a senior programmer with Heartland International Film Festival. She works with the artistic director to curate film festival lineups. She was nominated for an Emmy in the research category for the documentary short, Legacies of Perfection: Auburn, Cord, Duesenberg, released in 2013.

Rachel

Dobrzykowski, ’16, South Bend, Indiana, was hired by LEX 530 Metropolitan Event Center as its event director. She will run the daily operations of the facility in Elkhart, Indiana, and manage all events including weddings, receptions, corporate events, and nonprofit galas. Lincoln Clauss, ’17, New York City, will play Peter Pan in the Laguna Playhouse production of Peter Pan and Tinker Bell: A Pirates’ Christmas. The show runs this winter in Laguna Beach, California.

Lindsey A. Harrell, ’17, Midland, Michigan, accepted a position at Chippewa Nature Center in Midland as an interpretive naturalist. Harrell is certified by the National Association for Interpretation as an interpretive guide.

Ashley C. Ford, ’18, Brooklyn, New York, gave her talk, What Happens to Children When Their Parents Go to Prison, as part of the Dorothy Garrett Martin Lecture in Ethics and Values at DePauw University. Ford is a Brooklyn-based writer who covers topics including race, sexuality, and body image. Currently working with her husband, Kelly Stacy, ’12, on a collection of music-focused interviews called B-Side Chats, she is also penning a memoir, Somebody’s Daughter, which Flatiron Books will publish under An Oprah Book imprint. What was one of the best things about this past summer’s annual New York Musical Festival? Critics said it was Sarah-Anne Martinez, ’19. Her performance in Leaving Eden was hailed by the New York Times: “Comic and poignant, delicate and bold, it was a terrific performance.” Martinez won the role through her March 2019 audition at the Theatre Department’s Senior Showcase.

Class of ’43 alumna celebrates milestone

A 100th birthday celebration was held at the Student Center in October for Martha (Shelley) Ervin, AM ’43, who resides in Muncie. President Geoffrey S. Mearns (shown right) attended as did Martha’s Lucina Hall roommate, Olive (Fahler) King, ’43 MAE ’73. At left is Martha’s son, Mark Ervin, ’81 MA ’85, a Muncie attorney who has served on the Ball State University Foundation Board and is a trustee on the Muncie Community Schools Board.

IN MEMORIAM

Rhea M. (LaMotte) Readnour, ’37 MA ’60, Covington, Kentucky, April 10.

Maurine (Hoock) Murphy, ’40, Fort Worth, Texas, September 8. Francis L. Bushong, ’43, Decatur, Indiana, September 8. Barbara J. Fisk-Parker, ’44, Santa Barbara, California, September 9. Betty J. (Hinshaw) Hammersley, ’44, Venice, Florida, June 13. Lena E. (Ford) Platt, ’44 MA ’64, Shelbyville, Indiana, July 3. Leota M. (Adams) Waller, ’44, Keystone Heights, Florida, May 5. Carolyn (Stibbins) Donovan, ’45 MAE ’52, Kokomo, Indiana, May 21. Isletta M. (Fuller) Carwile, ’47, Arlington, Texas, July 7. Adeline L. (Corts) Coe, ’47 MA ’56, Bradenton, Florida, July 4. Raymond E. Rittman, ’47 MA ’50, Anderson, Indiana, July 13. Elizabeth A. (Gebert) Sherry, ’47, Lake Forest, California, October 10, 2018. Eleanor J. (Shafer) Burt, ’48, Muncie, June 19. James H. Mattingly, ’48 MS ’55, London, January 1. Beverly L. (Robinson) Stassen, ’48, Muncie, May 28. John S. Goff, ’49 MAE ’55, New Castle, Indiana, June 20. Garth M. Johnson, ’49 MA ’55, Tucson, Arizona, August 28. Elmer L. Larrison, ’49 MA ’55, New Castle, Indiana, May 13. Carl T. Swift, ’49 MA ’55, Auburn, Indiana, August 13.

Melvin A. Baumann, ’50, Fairfield, Kentucky, August 11. Ramona J. (Bartlett) Greenlee, ’50, Adrian, Michigan, April 11. Barbara A. (Kimball) Love, ’50, Huntington, Indiana, May 29. Charlotte A. (Townsend) Puckett, ’50, Avon, Indiana, October 2. Edna C. Roe, ’50, Indianapolis, April 26. Marilyn L. (Thornburg) Carey, ’51 MA ’60, Muncie, September 21. Patricia L. (Bowman) Martin, ’51, Angola, Indiana, August 6. Lucy B. (Baker) Warner, ’51, Rocky River, Ohio, June 26. Marian (Zigich) Nicholas, ’52 MA ’57, Bloomington, Indiana, August 5. Alice J. (Myers) Arthur, ’53, West Lafayette, Indiana, April 20. Joan L. (Klentzer) Rodgers, ’53, Columbia, Missouri, April 19. Donna M. (Camden) Stinebaugh, ’53, Indianapolis, May 1. Nancy L. (Clevenger) Cougill, ’54, Byron Center, Michigan, April 20. Martha L. (Pearson) Hays, ’54, St. Louis, September 4. Charline G. (Mull) Almquist, ’55, Cumming, Georgia, May 16. Betty J. (Isza) Baim, ’55, Muncie, July 9. Sarah A. Barrett, ’55 MA ’60, Connersville, Indiana, September 2. Betty J. (Rich) Chance, ’55, Westfield, Indiana, June 18. Ronald S. Menges, ’55, Granger, Indiana, June 15.

Carol (Hammond) Rice, ’55 MA ’68, Louisville, Kentucky, July 14. Majorie (Davis) Anderson, ’56, Auburn, Indiana, June 25. Reed Cheesman, ’56, Noblesville, Indiana, August 4. Helen C. Harrell, ’56 MA, Wabash, Indiana, June 20.

Ronald L. Jones, ’56, Barberton, Ohio, October 1.

Sally A. (Cox) Lowe, ’56 MAE ’71, Peru, Indiana, September 11. Jerry E. Banker, ’57, Bedford, Indiana, April 19. James W. Brown, ’57, Banning, California, June 25.

Robert C. Nern, ’57, Fort Wayne, Indiana, June 2.

Carolyn J. (Gilbert) Saxman, ’57 MA ’62, Indianapolis, August 10. Thomas L. DeWitt, ’58 MAE ’60, Carmel, Indiana, September 27. Rodney V. Gill, ’58, Muncie, April 11. Marna L. (Costello) Holston, ’58, Rosedale, Indiana, April 15. Jalene A. (Joyce) Howse, ’58, Indianapolis, October 3.

Ross C. McMahan, ’58, Greenfield, Indiana, April 13. William E. Palmer, ’58 MA ’66, Muncie, September 6. Patricia A. (Flatter) Rentschler, ’58, Sun Lakes, Arizona, August 17. George A. Gilchrist, ’59, New Castle, Indiana, July 25. Terry A. Heater, ’59, Findlay, Ohio, June 9. Robert E. Mitchell, ’59, Muncie, September 15.

Jerry L. Moore, ’59 MAE ’62, Muncie, October 14.

Norman E. Wolverton, ’59 MA ’61, Boynton Beach, Florida, August 29.

1960s

Roberta L. (Burton) Cheatham, ’60, Snellville, Georgia, July 9. Sam W. Dickson, ’60 MA ’64 EdD ’71, Muncie, May 11. William T. Fabrycki, ’60 MA ’61, Columbus, Ohio, June 22. Ethel M. (Shelton) Herron, ’60, Lynn, Indiana, September 11. Mary L. (Duerk) Kock, ’60, Auburn, Indiana, May 20. Louis D. Geller, ’61, Fort Wayne, Indiana, May 7. Robert M. Kearns, ’61 MA, Anderson, Indiana, May 7. Patricia A. (Long) Miller, ’61, LaOtto, Indiana, August 12. Carl J. Pletcher, ’61, Asheville, North Carolina, May 11. Beth A. (Hauptman) Siler, ’61 MA ’67, Muncie, June 25. Maryann (Salopek) Smith, ’61, Portage, Indiana, July 20. Carolyn S. Snider, ’61 MA ’66, Muncie, April 23. Joe D. Thomas, ’61, Southern Pines, North Carolina, June 14. Norman W. Beer, ’62, Indianapolis, June 29. Gayle (Kern) Harris, ’62 MA, Leesburg, Indiana, September 23. Judith E. (Manor) Love, ’62 MA ’92, Muncie, May 31. Laticia M. (Stinson) Smith, ’62, Crofton, Maryland, April 20. Helen J. (Hite) Bokelman, ’63 MA ’68, Greensburg, Indiana, May 22. Patricia A. (McDermitt) Every, ’63 MA, Noblesville, Indiana, July 2. Julia G. (Addington) Havens, ’63, Carmel, Indiana, July 27. Sara S. (Stewart) Lucas, ’63, Ashburn, Virgina, September 19. Mary J. (Stier) Chase, ’64, Kokomo, Indiana, September 28. Nancy A. (Taylo) Hansan, ’64 MA ’73, Muncie, October 22. Charles D. Marr, ’64 MA, Fort Wayne, Indiana, May 25. Donald E. Waldrop Jr., ’64, St. Augustine, Florida, September 10. Terry B. Lawrence, ’65, Cedar City, Utah, January 2. Paula J. (Oprea) Lindon, ’65, Monroe, Ohio, April 23. Edwin L. Peter, ’65, Floyds Knobs, Indiana, March 19. Melvyn G. Schlegel, ’65, Largo, Florida, May 28. Georgia A. (Gall) Sobolewski, ’65 MA ’71, St. John, Indiana, May 4. Kurt K. Eichorst, ’66, Niceville, Florida, June 19. Robert E. King, ’66, Georgetown, Texas, May 10. Sondra A. Moore, ’66, Liberty, Indiana, July 16. Darren M. (Weber) Paquin, ’66, Elwood, Indiana, December 12, 2018. David E. Roberts, ’66, Danville, California, March 16. Sylvia J. Bleeke, ’67, Decatur, Indiana, July 8. Margaret A. (Welliver) Purvis, ’67, Richmond, Indiana, October 12. Patricia A. (Thornburg) Styles, ’67 MA ’71, Muncie, September 17. Stephen P. Midkiff, ’68, Avon, Indiana, October 7. Edwin D. Shipley, ’68 MA ’71, Ciero, Indiana, May 17. Thomas O. Hansen, ’69, Fort Wayne, Indiana, June 13. Michael A. McNary, ’69, Indianapolis, April 20. Joseph H. Roberts, ’69, St. Louis, August 7. Kristi L. (Clary) Walz, ’69, South Bend, Indiana, June 20.

1970s

Judith L. (Feigel) Dunsmore, ’70 MAE ’82, Knightstown, Indiana, April 22. Ruby L. (Durgan) Taylor, ’70 MAE ’72, Anderson, Indiana, August 11. Helen V. (Voiles) Davis, ’71 MLS ’75, Muncie, July 24. Robert E. Guernsey, ’71 MAE ’75, Greenfield, Indiana, May 11. Ronald E. Hale, ’71, Sun City Center, Florida, May 14. Jane E. (Cook) Janes, ’71 MAE ’77, Anderson, Indiana, April 27. Wesley V. Bennett, ’72, Merrillville, Indiana, June 8. Lowell E. Fisher Jr., ’72 MAE, Richmond, Indiana, May 1. Cheryl J. (Melick) Phillips, ’72 MAE ’75, Hartford City, Indiana, May 20. Linda K. (Hooper) Wight, ’72, Fountain Valley, California, October 3. Laverne M. Yoder, ’72, Shipshewana, Indiana, July 31, 2018. Patrick D. Daniels, ’73, Muncie, September 11. Leonard E. Lind, ’73, Durham, North Carolina, April 13. Benjamin A. Luetzow, ’73 MA ’74 EdD ’77, Seattle, June 16. Thomas G. Patterson, ’73, Sellersburg, Indiana, March 26.

Fred E. Lawrence Jr., ’74, Indianapolis, October 17.

Wayne J. Marshall, ’74, Granger, Indiana, September 21. William R. Roth, ’74, Star City, Indiana, June 5.

William G. Williams, MA ’74, Anderson, Indiana, August 13. Nelson L. Coughlan, MBA ’75, Anderson, Indiana, April 17. Jonathan N. Lengar, MA ’75, EdD ’78, Indianapolis, September 2. Phyllia A. Olynger, MAE ’75, Gas City, Indiana, September 9. Steven A. Sheets, ’75, Muncie, June 20. John R. Gibbons, ’76, Parker City, Indiana, April 27. Timothy J. Harmon, ’76, Greensburg, Indiana, April 26. Ronald J. Munson, MA ’76, Marion, Indiana, May 28. Gerald E. Olsen, ’76, Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington state, September 29. Joann M. (Lappin) Ruble, ’76, Greenfield, Indiana, September 23. Gail R. (Greiling) Wickersham, MAE ’76, Hoover, Alabama, May 21. Debra E. (George) Connett, ’77, Fort Wayne, Indiana, October 19. Sarah F. (Lawter) Perry, AA ’77, New Castle, Indiana, September 11. Ernestine (Cooper) Woods, ’77 MAE ’78, Muncie, July 15. Roderic B. Cranor, ’78, Fort Wayne, Indiana, April 26. Molly K. Moss, ’78, Muncie, July 13. Pamela S. Reyburn, ’79, Fort Wayne, Indiana, February 6. Amy L. (Christie) Shelton, MAE ’79, Anderson, Indiana, August 9.

1980s

Jeffrey A. Brooks, ’80, Fowler, Indiana, September 15. James A. Covert, ’80, Loxahatchee, Florida, September 6. Robert T. Jackson, ’80, Loveland, Colorado, September 20. Michael D. Kelley, ’80 MA ’87, Muncie, July 5. Linda F. Coss, ’81, Birmingham, Michigan, March 22.

This photo of Ball State’s Pride of Mid America Marching Band leading the 2019 Homecoming Parade was among images featured on Ball State Magazine’s online site as part of its new “Photos the Month” feature. Go to magazine.bsu.edu to enjoy photos and videos, web-exclusive profiles, and much more.

Brett A. Barbre, ’82, Seguin, Texas, July 24. Patricia L. Gerhardt, ’82 MBA, Cicero, Indiana, May 29. Shirley A. (Meyer) Montgomery, MA ’82 MAR ’08, Anderson, Indiana, May 4. Douglas A. Scott, ’82, Rochester, Indiana, September 14. Theresa P. Tsao, ’82, Alexandria, Virgina, August 10. Jeffrey P. Bernard, ’83, Lansing, Illinois, August 10. Mark A. Carter, ’83, Muncie, May 12. Fred J. Niehaus, ’83, Huntersville, North Carolina, Febuaray 4. Jane S. (Peyton) Frazier, ’84, Andover, Minnesota, July 11. Debra S. (Myers) Johnson, AS ’84, Muncie, August 17. Mitchel W. McAdams, ’84, Seymour, Indiana, August 16. Victor G. Renfro, ’85 MA, Muncie, September 30. Patrick C. Botts, ’86, Gaston, Indiana, October 12.

Robert W. Collins, ’86, Yorktown, Indiana, July 9. Janine M. (Mazanek) Craig, ’86, Milwaukee, September 1. Benjamin King IV, ’86 MA, Connersville, Indiana, June 15. Craig W. Nagel, ’86, Greenfield, Indiana, April 29. Christopher D. Elbert, ’87, West Lafayette, Indiana, May 2. Karen L. (Wellin) Reno, ’87, New Castle, Indiana, July 26. Janet M. Casey, ’88, Greenfield, Indiana, May 13. Betty J. (Knuckles) Gregg, ’88, Bloomfield, Indiana, June 16. Dirinda B. (Bramblett) Naylor, ’88, Indianapolis, September 10. David L. Sebolt, ’88 BAR ’88, Ann Arbor, Michigan, July 18. Patrick S. Pursley, ’89, Anderson, Indiana, May 15. Bonnie J. Stueple, ’89 EdD, Grabill, Indiana, August 12.

1990s

John M. Mallon III, ’91, Carmel, Indiana, June 1.

Lorraine L. (Tillman) Musick, ’91, Bloomington, Illinois, May 5. Eric L. Piazza, ’91, Angola, Indiana, June 18. Shannon M. Wilkerson, ’91 MA ’96, Shirley, Indiana, August 28. Clarissa T. (Martinez) Stull, ’92, Fort Wayne, Indiana, September 12. Ronald Walls, ’92, Springport, Indiana, October 2. Richard W. Behnke, ’93, Mishawaka, Indiana, May 19. Christina M. (Stoner) Norman, ’93, Muncie, April 16. Bruce R. Ruch, ’93, Marion, Indiana, August 17. Herbert L. Sedillo, MA ’93, Frederick, Maryland, June 24. Joey L. Holmes, ’94, Lake Mary, Florida, August 5. Richard W. Papp, ’94, Yucca Valley, California, April 17. Jon M. McCoy, ’95, Lexington, South Carolina, May 27. Kenneth R. Schnitz, AA ’96 BGS ’00 BS ’02, Pendleton, Indiana, August 24. Angela D. Branigan, ’98, Fort Wayne, Indiana, August 19. Lana L. Groombridge, EdD ’98, North Manchester, Indiana, September 9. Kelly C. (Wheeler) Chesebrough, ’99, Fishers, Indiana, October 9. Jason A. Frazier, ’99, Fishers, Indiana, June 5. Stephen B. Poe, AA ’99, ’01, Pendleton, Indiana, July 20. JoAnn C. (Robinson) Rhoades, ’99, Muncie, September 18.

2000s

Jade M. Cook, AA ’00, Kokomo, Indiana, September 15. Michael T. Bennett, ’01, Lowell, Indiana, August 31. Craig W. Dragoo, ’01, Fishers, Indiana, July 23. Chad W. Sours, ’01, Fort Wayne, Indiana, July 27. Andrew P. Little, ’02, Greenfield, Indiana, June 16. Christy L. Neal, ’02, Muncie, July 23. Matthew T. Spoonemore, ’02, Muncie, July 9. Tysen L. Ingram, AA ’03 BGS ’05, South Bend, Indiana, August 11. Michael D. Stevenson, AA ’04, Pendleton, Indiana, September 21. John S. Beranek, ’05, New Palestine, Indiana, May 2. Jilian N. McClain, ’07 MA ’10, Fishers, Indiana, September 7. Emily A. Ehmer, MA ’08, San Marcos, Texas, September 3. Timothy C. Ponder, AA ’09, Pendleton, Indiana, June 9.

2010s

Carolyn M. (Dickmeyer) Reutter, MA ’10, Indianapolis, April 19. Howard D. Skillman, AA ’10, Ashland, Ohio, June 23. Amy E. Reichert, ’11, Maria Stein, Ohio, September 27. Mark J. Thatcher, ’11, Kokomo, Indiana, August 12. Britiney Johanson, MBA ’12, Hoschton, Georgia, May 14. Teri L. Watkins, ’12, Wabash, Indiana, April 25. Jacob A. Dietz, ’14 MA ’18, Zionsville, Indiana, July 20. Tahaira J. Sanders, ’17, Indianapolis, August 28. Asiha L. Allen-Freeman, ’19, Indianapolis, September 7.

After Finding His Purpose, CORY CALVIN, ’01,

Helps Others Find Theirs

BY JUDY WOLF

Photo provided by Cory Calvin

His junior year, Cory Calvin took Ball State: Homecoming king, student government president, fraternity VP, and more. The finance major went on to Wall Street, eventually becoming an international director for PepsiCo. But fear — what if someone discovered he was gay? — haunted him. He eventually came out, fully became himself, and found joy in inspiring authenticity in others. He describes his journey in I Almost Became Me: A Memoir, a recent Amazon No. 1 bestseller.

YOU GIVE TALKS AT PLACES FROM LINKEDIN TO PUBLIC LIBRARIES. WHY?

I believe my story can help others. We have to stand up for each other and be visible allies. But that can make people afraid of what might happen. It’s the same concept as coming out of the closet: We all have something in our lives we’re afraid to tell others for fear of what they will think, especially family and friends. It may be a relationship, an addiction, or a family issue. Yet, all people come out of some closet.

We need positive role models in the community, government, and corporations. Most straight individuals have hundreds of role models around them: a coach, teacher, or parent. I didn’t know one out gay or LGBTQ role model during my formative years. WHAT DO YOU SAY TO LGBTQ COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO STRUGGLE WITH THEIR IDENTITY OR BEING THEMSELVES AT WORK?

When we face adversity, we are forced to problem-solve, and it makes us stronger. When I was bullied, I didn’t know what to do. Luckily, I had a family that loved me. My mom, in particular, helped me see that it’s going to be better. And with therapy and counseling, I started building the tools to deflect these negative life situations.

It also helped that I joined activities such as choir, band, and theater in high school. You can try to get involved and surround yourself with positive role models and friends. If you’re in a smaller community, or if a parent is unsupportive, you can find sources of information, support, or creativity such as libraries, organizations, hotlines, and online resources.

For adults, find a work environment that is safe and supportive for you to be who you are.

WHAT KEPT YOU FROM COMING OUT AT BALL STATE?

I didn’t know for sure then if that was who I am. Growing up Catholic and learning I may go to hell was a constant battle. And being raised in a small community and not knowing any role models, I thought that if anyone knew, my whole life would be ruined.

Honestly, I was afraid. I remembered Matthew Shepard’s story. (Two men tortured and murdered Shepard, a gay University of Wyoming student, during Calvin’s sophomore year.) I felt at that time there was just no way I could come out.

WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO LEAVE THE CORPORATE WORLD AND LAUNCH A TRAVEL COMPANY?

It was liberating to admit I needed to do something different, but I was trying to make sure I had the answers to certain questions. Where will my income come from? How will I pay for my health benefits and retirement? Those questions prevent people from doing what they love or want to do.

I finally realized my life was so unhappy that I didn’t care what the answers were. I would go figure that out, but my life would be so much better because I can create my own path.

I’ve since traveled around the world and live a locationindependent life. I’ve realized my purpose is to inspire others to become their best selves and want to do that for 1 million people by 2029. I started my travel company to help others follow their passions.

WHAT WOULD YOUR ADVICE BE TO SOMEONE WHOSE WORK DOESN’T MAKE THEM HAPPY?

Change it now. That may take hard work, but it’s part of the journey. Prestige and success don’t mean happiness. Find ways to be happy with what you have. Live your best life as soon as possible.

The Joy of Bob Ross

Photo provided by Minnetrista Photo provided by Bob Ross Inc.

As much as Fred Rogers or Big Bird, Bob Ross is a public television legend. What you may not know is that his show, The Joy of Painting, was filmed for 31 seasons in Muncie and at Ball State.

This Fall, Minnetrista announced plans to refurbish Ross’ former studio. Assembling objects and media, the exhibit will also give visitors the chance to try their hand at painting, Bob style.

While stationed in Alaska with the U.S. Air Force, Ross used daily breaks to perfect a rapid, wet-on-wet oil painting technique he later used to create more than 1,000 paintings for the shows.

Ross chose Ball State-owned WIPB for taping his series, flying in from Virginia four times a year. Filming started in 1983 at the former Lucius L. Ball home on Minnetrista Boulevard and later moved to WIPB’s new on-campus studio. These photos suggest the painter made it a warm, fun experience.

Ross died in 1995 but his soothing voice and empowering messages continue to attract legions of new fans via web and streaming sites.

“Anything that we don’t like, we’ll turn it into a happy little tree or something,” he said, “because as you know, we don’t make mistakes — we just have happy little accidents.” — Tim Obermiller

2000 W. University Ave. Muncie, IN 47306

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AN ENDURING GIFT

The entire campus, and all visitors, can now enjoy the Beneficence Mural. Members of Muncie Artists Guild created it and made their generous 9-by-6-foot donation at Ball State’s concluding Centennial celebration. The 24 beautiful panels displayed in the Art and Journalism Building, between the south entry and The Atrium food court, are splendid reminders of the enduring values that guide us.