Our Call to Beneficence

Craig Hartman is an accomplished architect and senior consulting design partner at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, one of the world's largest and most prestigious design firms. Craig attended high school in rural Indiana. But it was the education that he received at Ball State University that opened his eyes to the possibility of making a professional name for himself on a global scale. In this episode, Craig talks about experiencing the first years of our University's College of Architecture and Planning and the role models on our campus who inspired him in his pursuit of his remarkable and fulfilling career. He also shares details about his award-winning professional work, including his designs for the international terminal at San Francisco International Airport and the Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland—the first cathedral constructed in the 21st century. If you enjoy this episode, please leave a review to support the show. 

Ron Galbraith is a retired CEO and entrepreneur with a distinctive career path—one that began in academia, continued in healthcare, and ended as an entrepreneur. But before he enjoyed career success, Ron was a Ball State student who, on his first day on campus, walked into the wrong science class. Ron's experiences as a first-generation college student in the 1960s shaped his professional aspirations. Guided by faculty mentors who encouraged his love of learning, Ron became a professor at Vanderbilt University. He then pivoted professionally to working for the Nation's largest healthcare system before founding his own consulting firm. In this episode, Ron talks about how he found his calling at Ball State—and why he's inspired now to reengage with his alma mater. He also discusses his impressions of our campus today, after returning for his first visit to the University in years. If you enjoy this episode, please leave a review to support the show. 

Dana Kenworthy has dedicated her professional career to serving the people of Indiana—in particular those who have been victims of abuse and neglect.Currently, she serves as a judge for the second circuit of the Indiana Court of Appeals, which is the second-highest court in the state. But prior to her appointment to the Court of Appeals, Judge Kenworthy served as deputy prosecutor in Grant County, where she concentrated on cases primarily involving child abuse, sexual assault, and domestic violence. She then served as a trial judge for 12 years—from 2010 to 2022—before her appointment to the Court of Appeals.Throughout her life, Judge Kenworthy has been guided by the saying “If you see something wrong, fix it.” She's applied this rule—one championed by her mother, her role model—to affect change on behalf of everyday Hoosiers. In recognition of her public service, pro bono work, and volunteer efforts, she has received the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence's Outstanding Prosecutor Award and the Indiana Pro Bono Commission's Randall T. Shepard Award. In this episode, Judge Kenworthy talks about her passion for justice and how our University's enduring values, embodied by Beneficence, have inspired her throughout her life. If you enjoy this episode, please leave a review to support the show. 

Throughout Dr. Jeff Bird's long and fulfilling career in medicine, he has put his patients—and the people of Muncie—first. Dr. Bird grew up in Muncie. After completing his residency at Ball Hospital, he embarked upon a long and fulfilling career in medicine here in his hometown. As the hospital prepares to celebrate its 100th anniversary, Dr. Bird reflects on the decades he's spent—first as a doctor and then as an administrator—working to provide the best healthcare to the people who live and work in East Central Indiana. Since 2017, Dr. Bird has served as the president of the East Central Indiana region for IU Health, which includes IU Health Ball Memorial and Blackford Hospitals. Prior to assuming this executive role, Dr. Bird served 14 years as the associate director of the Ball Memorial Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program. Before that, he was the owner of a thriving private practice of family medicine. In this episode, Dr. Bird talks about his great passion for medicine and his great love for Muncie. He also shares why he feels compelled to give back to the community that raised him along with his reasons for feeling—in his own words—“bullish” about the future success of the city and the region.If you enjoy this episode, please leave a review to support the show 

During Brandon Allmon-Jackson's major theatrical productions, he is never seen by the audiences. But as a stage manager fulfilling his dream of working on Broadway, he's the person most responsible for making sure big acts—including The Music Man, Back to the Future, and Sunset Boulevard—go off without a hitch.In the years since he graduated from Ball State in 2012, Brandon has applied the skills he learned in the classroom, along with his dedication and drive, to stand out in the competitive world of commercial theatre. He's also dedicated himself to providing more opportunities for artists of color.In this episode, Brandon talks about how the confidence he built and connections he made at his alma mater helped him advance professionally. In less than 10 years, he's gone from stage managing regional theater and cruise ship performances to working on the biggest shows on Broadway. Brandon also reveals why he's grateful for his humble Southern upbringing and how, by mentoring the next generation of talent at Ball State, he's giving back in a way that upholds the promise of Beneficence. If you enjoy this episode, please leave a review to support the show. 

Hope Churchill is a senior studying business administration in our Miller College of Business. She's also our current student representative on the Board of Trustees. In this role, Hope serves as the voice of her peers, advocating for her fellow Ball State students and bringing their perspectives to the board. As she prepares to graduate in May, Hope reflects on her Ball State journey and her service to our University. She shares how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced her high school and college experiences—and how more students on campus are stepping up as leaders now that the pandemic has receded. When asked what she loves most about Ball State, Hope also shares her appreciation for the University's distinct culture, which is shaped by the Midwestern hospitality of our faculty, staff, and students and a shared commitment to the Beneficence Pledge. If you enjoy this episode, please leave a review to support the show. 

Jeff Feltman is a distinguished Ball State graduate who has had an impressive career in foreign affairs and international diplomacy. Currently, Jeff is the John C. Whitehead Visiting Fellow in international diplomacy in the Foreign Policy Program at the Brookings Institution, and he's a senior fellow at the UN Foundation, both of which are based in Washington, D.C.Over the course of his impressive career, Jeff served as the UN's undersecretary general for political affairs and as U.S. Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa. During our conversation, I ask Jeff about his undergraduate experience at Ball State and how it prepared him for the Foreign Service. We also talk about his diplomatic posts in the Department of State, including his experience as ambassador to Lebanon from 2004 to 2008.And we discuss the Ball State professors who encouraged Jeff to pursue his challenging and rewarding career in the Foreign Service. Among his mentors was Warren Vander Hill, a long-time professor and distinguished administrator who died in July. This month, Jeff joined the University community in attending an on-campus memorial for Dr. Vander Hill. Jeff and several of his classmates also created an endowed fund in honor of Dr. Vander Hill. The fund will support internships, research, and other experiential opportunities for Ball State students. If you enjoy this episode, please leave a review to support the show. 

Paris McCurdy is a graduate who played a pivotal role in Ball State's own March Madness Cinderella Story. Paris was a senior for the Cardinals when he and his teammates won the MAC Championship and went on to compete in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament.As our basketball teams prepare to kick off another season of play, Paris reflects on his memories of that remarkable '89-'90 season and about the valuable role he played in getting the Cardinals to the Sweet 16. He also talks about his career playing professional basketball in Europe and his current role as our University's director of community diversity initiatives. Finally, looking back on his own days as a Ball State student, Paris shares his pride in the changes that have since transpired on our campus, from the facilities to the demographics of our freshman class. If you enjoy this episode, please leave a review to support the show. 

Roy Weaver spent nearly 30 years serving Ball State University—first as a faculty member and then as an administrator. He was the associate dean of our Teachers College for 10 years, before serving another 16 years as dean. In addition to his passion for serving Ball State students, Roy has a passion for Ball State football, which celebrates its 100th season in 2024. Roy's appreciation for the Cardinals inspired him to co-write a book about Timmy Brown, a former All-American football player for Ball State who later became an NFL champion for the Philadelphia Eagles.In this episode, Roy recounts memories from his educational and professional journey at Ball State. He also shares more about the work that went into writing Running Against the Grain: The Story of Philadelphia Eagle and Movie Star Timmy Brown and why he felt compelled to write this biography of the late football player-turned-Hollywood star. Roy's book about Timmy Brown is available for purchase at www.eagle22.org. If you enjoy this episode, please leave a review to support the show. 

Since 2016, Mike McDaniel has been a dedicated member of the Ball State Board of Trustees. He is also a proud two-time graduate of our University, where he met the professor who became the mentor who shaped his future career in state politics. Mike recently finished his final legislative session as the executive director of governmental affairs for Krieg DeVault, a law firm based in Indianapolis. Before working for Krieg DeVault, Mike's 51-year career in government relations and administration included his seven years of service as the chair of the Indiana Republican Party.In this episode, Mike shares personal highlights of growing up in Muncie and his favorite memories of his time spent as a Ball State student. He also shares colorful stories about his career in politics, from running campaigns for state officials to favorite experiences with past U.S. Presidents. Mike also discusses the time he spent working for his alma mater, serving as a liaison for lawmakers, along with accomplishments he's most proud of achieving on behalf of Ball State in his roles as a political advocate and a trustee.  If you enjoy this episode, please leave a review to support the show. 

Brady Sallee became the head women's basketball coach at Ball State University in 2012. Since then, he has established a culture of excellence for the Cardinals, a culture that is rooted in fundamentals and teamwork. For years now, Brady has broken records in Ball State Athletics. He is the only head coach to take his team to nine postseason tournaments, and with 237 victories, he is the winningest basketball coach in Ball State University.   In this episode, Brady shares how his recruiting skills helped him to advance in his career and how coming to Ball State represented an excellent opportunity to compete at the next level. He also shares some of his favorite Cardinal victories and how he began his tradition of treating players to ice cream after every win. Later in the conversation, Brady shares how his “Seven Pillars” helped him to build a strong program at Ball State. And he reveals how his family's new business venture in The Village, Everbowl, has strengthened their ties to the Muncie community. If you enjoy this episode, please leave a review to support the show. 

Hollis Hughes is very well known by many members of the Ball State University community. As a two-time graduate, Hollis had the distinction of serving on the University's Board of Trustees for more than two decades. Previously, he served as a board member of the Ball State University Foundation, the Alumni Council, and the Black Alumni Council.Hollis studied at Ball State at a time when segregated housing policies existed on our campus and in our community. In this episode, he shares how a university employee helped him to navigate those challenging circumstances. He also reveals how Ball State taught him valuable lessons that helped him transcend cultural barriers throughout his life. Later in the conversation, Hollis shares his opinions about some of the biggest developments at the University to coincide with his volunteer service as a trustee. And he discusses why serving others—at work and in the community—is how he's been able to accomplish goals on behalf of his colleagues, his community, and his alma mater. If you enjoy this episode, please leave a review to support the show. 

Anand Marri serves as Ball State's Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, a position for which he is responsible for the University's academic mission, including supporting leadership for all academic units. When he accepted the role in October 2023, Dr. Marri was no stranger to Ball State. He previously served three years as dean of the Teachers College, during which time enrollment in the college increased and faculty and staff generated a significant increase in external funding to support their research.In this episode, Dr. Marri talks about the rewards and challenges of his new role and why he chose to leave behind a tenured professorship at Columbia University to advance his career as an administrator at Ball State. He also shares stories about his childhood spent growing up in the New York City borough of Queens. And he reveals details of how his pursuit of a career in education has taken him from the East Coast to the West Coast with stops in the Midwest along the way. If you enjoy this episode, please leave a review to support the show. 

Over the past three decades of his career at Ball State, Jim Lowe has dedicated himself to ensuring the functionality, comfort, safety, and sustainability of every building that makes up the University's campus. As the associate vice president for facilities planning and management, Jim is responsible for the day-to-day operations and maintenance of the University's facilities—and for planning, designing, and constructing our future buildings.  Jim's career has encompassed a series of milestones, from implementing an influential program to address the maintenance of the University's buildings to overseeing the implementation of the University's distinctive geothermal energy system. In this episode, Jim talks about these accomplishments and more, as well his appreciation for his hometown of Muncie. He also reveals why he gives back to the community to the extent that he does, through his service on many boards, including the board that governs Muncie Community Schools. If you enjoy this episode, please leave a review to support the show. 

Over the past three seasons, President Geoffrey S. Mearns has been the one asking his guests questions on “Our Call to Beneficence.” For this episode of the podcast, his two youngest children, his twins Geoffrey Jr. and Molly, turn the tables by interviewing him.“Our goal in doing this was to hopefully give people a side of you that they might not know,” Geoffrey Jr. tells his father at the outset of their conversation. With that objective in mind, the President's son and daughter ask him a host of questions about his upbringing, their family, and why he chose to become a lawyer before transitioning to a career in higher education.  The trio end their time together by discussing what Beneficence means to President Mearns and why, based on personal experience, he believes that Ball State is such a distinctive and special place. If you enjoy this episode, please leave a review to support the show. 

Betsy Ross is a Ball State graduate who became one of the first women to break into national sports news. Today, she is the president of Game Day Communications, a sports and entertainment communications firm based in Cincinnati. Betsy graduated from Ball State in 1972 with a degree in journalism. After working in print and television media in South Bend, Indiana, she became a television news anchor and reporter for the NBC affiliate in Cincinnati. In this episode, Betsy shares how her coverage of the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta caught the eye of producers at ESPN. She also shares more about the business she later founded, Game Day Communications, and why she was inspired to write a book honoring the accomplishments of female athletes who made possible the opportunities that women in sports have today. Betsy also shares highlights from some of her favorite interviews from her decades-long career as a journalist, including the inspiring words that tennis legend Billie Jean King shared with her that Betsy has never forgotten. If you enjoy this episode, please leave a review to support the show.

Jim Champy is a leading expert on management issues involving business engineering, a topic for which he wrote a New York Times best-selling book that has sold more than two million copies. In addition to being the co-author of Reengineering the Corporation, Jim was most recently chairman emeritus of consulting for Dell Services. Before that, he was chairman of consulting and head of strategy for Perot Systems.In this episode, Jim shares how his college education prepared him to launch his first business, Index, a consulting practice he founded with a few hundred dollars with his classmates from MIT. Today, Jim continues to consult with business executives of major companies seeking to improve business performance. He also gives back as a philanthropist and as a mentor, including to Ball State students. Jim also shares the story of how his long-standing engagement with Ball State began with one business student seeking his advice—and his reasons for why he chooses to remain involved in influencing the lives of so many more of our students.  

Dr. Lee Ann Kwiatkowski—or Dr. K as she is affectionately known in the community—serves as the director of public education and CEO for Muncie Community Schools (MCS).When she accepted the role in July 2019, Dr. K assumed leadership of the innovative partnership between MCS and Ball State. Over the past five years, she has helped the district make good progress in achieving our collective goals: student enrollment at MCS has stabilized; budgets have been balanced annually; and compensation for teachers and staff has increased by more than 30 percent.In this episode, Dr. K talks about what inspired her to lead MCS in this distinctive administrative role. She also reveals more about her background and career, for which she has spent 35 years working in public education in Indiana.Dr. K also shares what she views as the challenges and rewards of her demanding profession, as well as her goals for the coming years for MCS.If you enjoy this episode, please leave a review to support the show.  

Greg Fehribach is an attorney and the founder of The Fehribach Group, a consulting firm specializing in accessibility, universal design, and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. He is also a proud two-time graduate of Ball State who made history as the first student with a disability to be elected to serve as the University's student body president.On this new season of “Our Call to Beneficence,” Greg talks about how the accessibility of Ball State's campus in the 1970s made him think he had “died and gone to heaven.” Greg's positive student experience compelled him to serve on the University's Board of Trustees from 2004 to 2007.Greg also describes how his Ball State education prepared him for his career as an attorney and as a disability rights advocate at the state and national level. Most recently, as chair of the United States Access Board, Greg helped craft federal guidelines to make our Nation's streets more accessible and safer for people with disabilities.If you enjoy this episode, please leave a review to support the show.  

Dwight Smith is an innovative producer of reality television shows in Hollywood. He's also a proud graduate who, in his own words, grew up as a “Ball State baby.” In this episode, Dwight talks about how our University fostered his love for the entertainment industry and how one of his favorite professors helped him launch his career in Hollywood.Dwight also describes the evolution of the production company Mission Control Media, which he co-owns with the same business partner he's worked with for more than 15 years. In that time, their company has created multiple hit programs for networks including SyFy, NBC, and Netflix. The newest show they're about to launch is a home renovation challenge for HGTV that ties into one of the most anticipated film releases of 2023. If you enjoy this episode, please leave a review to support the show.  

Randy Pond is an accomplished Ball State graduate who presently serves as the chair of our University's comprehensive fundraising campaign.As our May Commencement speaker, Randy inspired our graduates with his story about being a first-generation college student. After graduating from Ball State in 1977, he embarked upon a successful and fulfilling career that allowed him to serve as a corporate leader for one of the largest and fastest growing technology companies in the world. In this episode, Randy talks about how his Ball State education changed his life. He also reveals why he moved to the West Coast and what he has loved about working in the tech industry. Randy also shares more about his involvement in charitable and civic organizations in California, as well as his reason for giving back to his alma mater in the spirit of beneficence. If you enjoy this episode, please leave a review to support the show. 

Sutton Foster is a two-time Tony Award winning actor, singer and dancer. She is also an instructor at Ball State University.Fresh off her starring role alongside Hugh Jackman in the revival of The Music Man, Sutton returned to Ball State this Spring to prepare for an upcoming concert series and to teach and mentor our students, as she has been doing since 2010.In this episode, Sutton shares more about her Midwestern upbringing, how she got her first big break on Broadway, and how her love of crafting has helped her manage the pressures of life as an entertainer.She also reveals how close she came to studying at Ball State herself, and why she is now so passionately committed to helping the next generation of performers from our University find their voice—as well as their own fulfilling careers. If you enjoy this episode, please leave a review to support the show. 

Earlier this month, Jeff Mitchell began his tenure as Ball State's new director of athletics. Already he has identified his vision for the next era of Ball State Athletics—a vision inspired by his previous experience leading athletics departments at universities across the country. In this episode, Jeff talks about playing baseball in his youth and how his passion for the sport led to becoming a student-athlete at Millsaps College. And he reveals how his commitment to Millsaps' athletics department—and to being qualified for future professional opportunities—allowed his career to flourish. He also shares how his administrative experiences at Santa Clara University and Southern Mississippi University have given him the confidence and the conviction to accelerate the success of Ball State Athletics. And when asked about his second career as a college sports announcer, Jeff gives listeners a sample of how he would get the job done.  If you enjoy this episode, please leave a review to support the show.  

Mali Jeffers graduated from Ball State University in 2004. Since then, she has combined her passion for art and design with her skills in advertising and marketing to serve as co-founder of GANGGANG, a cultural developmental firm. Together with her husband, Alan Bacon, Mali is committed to building culture and community in her hometown of Indianapolis. Since founding GANGGANG in 2020, Mali's firm has contributed works of public art and performances in conjunction with the 2021 NCAA men's basketball tournament in Indianapolis. GANGGANG has also staged two successful iterations of BUTTER, a multi-day fine art fair that has garnered national media attention from Forbes and the New York Times.  In this episode, Mali shares more about her desire to elevate artists of color and her dedication to using the arts as a means of bringing people together. Mali also discusses the meaning behind GANGGANG's name—how the word “gang” reflects the journey that she and Alan are taking as entrepreneurs who are dedicated to equity in the arts. If you enjoy this episode, please leave a review to support the show. 

Kate Doerksen is a 2005 graduate of Ball State who, as a Cardinal, excelled on the court and in the classroom. As a star on our women's basketball team, Kate earned several MAC Honors, as well as a spot in our Athletics Hall of Fame. While majoring in entrepreneurship at Ball State, Kate was empowered by her professors to believe she had the grit and the passion required to start her own business. And while she was earning her MBA from Stanford, she did exactly that as the founder of Ditto, an e-commerce website for glasses.In this episode, Kate shares what drew her to Ball State and what she enjoyed most about playing Division 1 basketball followed by her short stint in the WNBA.Kate also discusses her career path from Wall Street to wanting to become an innovative leader in the retail industry, providing valuable insights into why being an entrepreneur is “not for the faint of heart.” And Kate shares why she remains so involved with her alma mater, most notably in her new role as a member of the Ball State University Foundation Board. If you enjoy this episode, please leave a review to support the show.  

For more than 30 years, Jennifer Mearns has been the life partner of Geoffrey S. Mearns, President of Ball State University. She is also a mother, a grandmother, and an accomplished professional, having worked in sports marketing before becoming an executive recruiter.In this episode, Jennifer shares more about her family, her college experience, and her initial impressions of Geoff when they first met. She also provides insights into how the couple navigated multiple career moves—and more than a few major life changes—throughout their years together. Jennifer also reveals her influence in encouraging Geoff not to pass up one of the most meaningful experiences of his legal career. And she describes some of the reasons she loves Ball State, from her involvement in the Discovery Group to her interactions with students. If you enjoy this episode, please leave a review to support the show. 

Angela Ahrendts is an accomplished Ball State graduate who, over the course of her career in business, has provided visionary leadership at the helm of companies including Burberry, the luxury fashion house, and the tech giant Apple.In this episode, Angela reveals the sign that (literally) pointed her to study at Ball State. She also talks about how her undergraduate experience provided her with the valuable learning opportunity to explore New York City, where she launched her career in fashion. And she shares how her Midwestern values inspire her to serve others, both as a leader in business and as a humanitarian committed to using her expertise to benefit the world. If you enjoy this episode, please leave a review to support the show.  

Stedman Graham is an author, an educator, and an entrepreneur. After earning his undergraduate degree from Hardin-Simmons University in Texas, Stedman served in the Army, mostly overseas, where he also played in the European professional basketball league. While in the military, Stedman also earned his master's degree in education from Ball State.In this episode, Stedman shares why he chose to attend Ball State. He also talks about creating his nine-step plan for success—a plan he travels the globe sharing with others—and how his approach to “identity leadership” prepared him for his relationship with Oprah Winfrey, one of the most famous women in the world. If you enjoy this episode, please leave a review to support the show. 

Michael Lewis was hired as Ball State's new men's basketball coach in March. Coach Lewis' arrival ushers in a new chapter of leadership for Ball State Athletics. It's also an exciting new chapter for Michael, who has returned to his home state after spending the past three years serving as an assistant coach at UCLA. In this episode, Coach Lewis talks about his youth playing basketball in Jasper, Indiana, his days as a star point guard for IU, and his experience as an assistant coach at the Division I Level for the past 18 years. He also shares his impressions of this year's Cardinals, which games this coming season have him most excited, and why he wants his players to view him as more than just their coach. If you enjoy this episode, please leave a review to support the show. 

Dan Towriss graduated from Ball State in 1994 with a degree in actuarial science. Over the course of his career, he's led a number of successful insurance company acquisitions and earned a reputation for growth and a return on investment. Today, he is the CEO and President of Group 1001, an insurance holding company based in Indianapolis with assets valued at more than $58 billion.In addition to his commitment to his profession, Dan has a passion for sports and philanthropy. Currently, he serves on the board of two national nonprofit organizations, the Cal Ripkin Senior Foundation, as well as RISE, an organization dedicated to empowering the sports community to eliminate racism and champion social justice. In this episode, Dan talks about baseball being the formative game of his youth, how Ball State shaped him into the business leader he's become, and how he's been inspired to give back to our University—and to Muncie, where he grew up.Dan also talks about the business relationships he's fostered with some of the biggest sporting enterprises in the state—including the Indianapolis 500—and how those relationships have strengthened his resolve to be an involved partner in the community. If you enjoy this episode, please leave a review to support the show. 

Kayla Davion graduated from Ball State in 2017 with a degree in musical theatre from our College of Fine Arts. Before she even finished her undergraduate career, Kayla landed a part in her first Broadway show, Waitress.Since that initial opportunity, she's consistently appeared in several shows on the Great White Way, landing roles in the musicals King Kong and Tina: The Tina Turner Musical. In this episode, Kayla describes how discovering theater helped her find her path in life and she talks about several Ball State professors who were instrumental to her extraordinary success.She also shares how she stays healthy enough to perform as Tina Turner on stage (“I wish you could see my drawer of vitamins!”) and what advice she'd give to other performers wanting to pursue their own creative dreams.   If you enjoy this episode, please leave a review to support the show.  

From 1984 to 2000, Dr. John Worthen served as the 11th President of Ball State University. During his tenure, Dr. Worthen earned the respect and admiration of his colleagues—and the campus community—on account of his effective leadership of the institution.  In this episode, Dr. Worthen recounts growing up as a child during the Great Depression and what inspired him to pursue a career in higher education. Dr. Worthen also reflects on his experiences serving in the Navy, meeting his wife, Sandra, and the many milestones of his presidency, including the successful completion of Ball State's first capital campaign and helping the institution become nationally recognized for its use of technology to enhance learning. If you enjoy this episode, please leave a review to support the show. 

Deborah and James Fallows are experienced, accomplished journalists who have influenced culture through their insights on politics, foreign affairs, and life in America. Together, the Fallows wrote Our Towns, a best-selling book that was published in 2018. Our Towns describes how they spent four years traveling 100,000 miles in their single-engine plane. The couple reported from dozens of cities and towns across America, and their book celebrates how these communities are successfully navigating the socio-economic challenges in America in the 21st century. In this episode, Deb and Jim talk about their life story and share some of the defining attributes of cities and towns that are on the rise.They also share observations from their visits to Muncie and why they believe Ball State's partnership with Muncie Community Schools is “unprecedented in modern American history.” If you enjoy this episode, please leave a review to support the show.  

From 2004 to 2014, Dr. Jo Ann Gora served as the 14th President of Ball State University. During her tenure, she championed immersive learning, created a new brand—“Education Redefined”—for the institution, and successfully engaged with some of our most prominent graduates, including David Letterman.Dr. Gora shares what it was like to grow up in the 1960s, what drew her to academia, and why she wanted to become president of Ball State. She also speaks candidly about the research she conducted before interviewing for the job, including crashing a Ball State alumni event with her husband, Roy. In this episode, Dr. Gora also looks back on some defining moments of her presidency, and she reveals the innovative Commencement speaker whose message to Ball State graduates made a lasting impression on her. If you enjoy this episode, please leave a review to support the show. 

Dick Emens was just a young boy when his father, John R. Emens, became the sixth president of Ball State. It was 1945. That same year marked the end of the Second World War—and the beginning of a tremendous period of growth for Ball State. In this episode, Dick talks about what it was like to grow up on campus during that time. He also reflects on how his father's transformative leadership and optimistic personality earned him the admiration of our faculty, staff, and students along with a playful nickname. Dick also shares why he and his wife, Bea, have chosen to remain so committed to Ball State. The couple are attorneys who practice law together. Together, they created the Emens Scholars Program to honor the legacy of President Emens and his wife, Aline. The program provides financial support to a select number of Ball State students entering their freshman year who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in their high schools and in their local communities.   If you enjoy this episode, please leave a review to support the show.   

Brandon Pope is an anchor reporter for Chicago's CW26. He's also an award-winning television host, media critic, and columnist. In the years since he graduated from Ball State in 2014, Brandon has applied the skills he learned in the classroom, along with the power of networking, to stand out in one of the country's biggest media markets. He's also parlayed his digital media expertise into a contributing writer position with EBONY magazine.  In this episode, Brandon talks about how his distinctive learning experiences at Ball State prepared him for a fast-paced career anchoring live newscasts and reporting on some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment. Brandon also reveals why he's passionate about giving minorities a voice in his industry and why he was honored to serve as keynote speaker for this year's Unity Week, a popular campus celebration that illustrates Ball State's continuing commitment to diversity and inclusion.If you enjoy this episode, please leave a review to support the show. 

Kent “Oz” Nelson is a Ball State graduate whose discipline, compassion, and common sense propelled him in his climb up the corporate ladder at UPS. In 1959, Oz began his decades-long career at UPS just two days after graduating from Ball State. He began as a sales and customer service representative, and he retired as chairman and CEO of UPS in 1997. In this episode, Oz talks about the professors and courses that inspired him as a Ball State student and how his involvement in a fraternity, Sigma Phi Epsilon, helped him establish the connections that created his opportunity at UPS. Oz also looks back on some of the transformative moments in his career, including when UPS became the first company to deliver to every address in the United States. He also shares his professional advice to our students and his recollections of how a chance telephone call led to an enduring friendship with President Jimmy Carter. If you enjoy this episode, please leave a review to support the show. 

Tiara Thomas is a Grammy and Oscar award-winning singer-songwriter who graduated from Ball State in 2012. Tiara grew up in Indianapolis and, shortly after completing her undergraduate degree in telecommunications, landed a record deal that opened the door to her professional aspirations of becoming an artist. In this episode, Tiara reveals how her dream of winning a Grammy began when she was just a young girl and how she recorded her first original song from the stairwell of her LaFollette residence hall. She also reveals her belief in the healing power of music and describes what an unforgettable experience it was to win two of the world's most famous and influential awards in 2021.If you enjoy this episode, please leave a review to support the show. 

Renae Conley is an accomplished Ball State graduate who presently serves as the chair of our university's Board of Trustees. Renae grew up in Muncie, earned her bachelor's degree and her MBA from Ball State, and then embarked upon a successful and fulfilling career that allowed her, time and again, to break the glass ceiling.In this episode, Renae talks about the mentors who helped shape her career ambitions. She reveals why she loved working in the energy industry and what it was like to serve as the first female CEO of the only Fortune 500 company in Louisiana. Renae also shares more about her college experiences, her memories of her influential mother-in-law, Vivian Conley (aka “The Mother Teresa of Muncie”), and what she finds most gratifying about her role as a Ball State trustee.If you enjoy this episode, please leave a review to support the show. 

Ashley C. Ford is a New York Times-best selling author, podcaster, and educator. Her debut memoir, “Somebody's Daughter,” chronicles her life growing up as a young Black girl in Fort Wayne, Indiana.Ashley's book was chosen by Oprah Winfrey for publication under her imprint, “An Oprah Book.” In addition to being on a first-name basis with the former queen of daytime talk TV, Ashley has written national magazine features about other celebrities, politicians, and athletes, including actress Anne Hathaway, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Serena Williams. In this episode, Ashley talks about the challenges in her childhood, and why writing about them made her feel less alone and better equipped to process the emotional impact of those memories.Ashley also shares about her undergraduate experience at Ball State and how the positive opportunities she experienced at our University have made her want to give back to her community today. You can learn more about Ashley at https://www.ashleycford.net. You can follow Ashley on Twitter at @iSmashFizzle and President Mearns at @PresidentMearns. If you enjoy this episode, please leave a review to support the show.  

Don Yaeger is a New York Times best-selling author, award-winning keynote speaker, and leadership coach whose clients include executives in the banking, tech, and entertainment industries.After graduating from Ball State, Don worked as a newspaper reporter before he was hired as a writer and associate editor for Sports Illustrated, the world's most popular weekly sports magazine. Don parlayed his career at the magazine into a successful second career writing the life stories of some of the biggest names in sports.In this episode, Don talks about how his youth took him from Hawaii to Muncie, Indiana, about the Ball State professor and staff member who were instrumental to helping him chart his life path, and what it was like to see his byline for the first time in the pages of Sports Illustrated. Don shares the meaningful experience of writing the autobiography of his hero, Walter Payton, and what inspired him to start his own podcast, “Corporate Competitor.” He also reveals the characteristics of greatness that he's witnessed in many of the athletes he's interviewed along with the advice he'd give to Ball State students pursuing their own fulfilling careers.You can learn more about Don at https://donyaeger.com. You can follow Don on Twitter at @DonYaeger and President Mearns at @PresidentMearns. If you enjoy this episode, please leave a review to support the show. 

Vince Bertram is a native of New Castle, Indiana. He earned four degrees at Ball State University, including a bachelor's degree in education and a master's degree in educational administration. After graduating from Ball State, Vince spent 20 years in education as a teacher, a principal, and a superintendent. Today, he serves as President & CEO of Project Lead The Way (PLTW), an Indianapolis-based nonprofit organization that provides a transformative learning experience for PreK-12 students and teachers across the country.In this episode, Vince talks about his upbringing, what inspired him to become a teacher and a coach, and his memories of working with legendary coaches John Wooden and Rick Majerus.Vince describes some of the influential educators he met as a student at Ball State and the moment he knew he was ready to leave his successful career as a school administrator to lead PLTW.  Vince also shares his thoughts about Ball State's innovative partnership with Muncie Community Schools and weighs in on how our country might address inequities in our educational system as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. You can learn more about Project Lead The Way at www.pltw.org. You can follow Vince on Twitter at @vincebertram and President Mearns at @PresidentMearns. If you enjoy this episode, please leave a review to support the show. 

Our Call to Beneficence is a podcast that features Ball State University President Geoffrey S. Mearns interviewing guests who embody the spirit of Beneficence through their professional success and their personal service.Beneficence means the quality of doing good through service and philanthropy. At our university, Beneficence is also the iconic statue on our campus that serves as a tangible symbol of our mission and our commitment to our enduring values: excellence, innovation, courage, integrity, inclusiveness, social responsibility, and gratitude.Enjoy these conversations with educators, innovators, creatives, and professionals who will inform and inspire you. If you'd like to connect with President Mearns, find him on Twitter (@PresidentMearns). And if you like what you hear on this podcast, please leave us a review.