February 28, 2025
Dear Colleagues:
I write to share some information about today’s meeting of the Board of Trustees.
During the meeting, the Board received a comprehensive report about Optimus Primary, a distinctive initiative funded by the Ball Brothers Foundation. Optimus Primary engages our University as one of several educational and healthcare partners working collaboratively in the community to recruit more medical professionals to live and work in East Central Indiana.
Our University’s role in the initiative includes providing services to the community in our Healthy Lifestyle Center (HLC). The HLC provides direct patient care services to people while also providing professional training and education to our students. Our University also supports the Optimus Primary initiative by managing the Maplewood Guest House, which is located on the grounds of Minnetrista. The guest house provides short-term accommodations for medical students from Indiana University who are completing their degree requirements by working in healthcare settings in East Central Indiana. Ball State students studying in our residential property management and hospitality and food management programs handle the day-to-day operations and long-term management of the historic mansion.
The Board also approved my request to recognize several benefactors who, as a result of their generous contributions, will be honored with named spaces on our campus.
Rich and Linda Berthy have committed a $1 million gift to support a physical expansion of the Edmund F. and Virginia B. Ball Honors House. At the request of the family, the new Charles J. and Erika A. Berthy Wing of the building—which will house new classroom, office, and gathering spaces for our growing Honors College—will be named in recognition of Rich’s parents.
Rich is the CEO of Foreside Financial Group, LLC. He and his wife also fund scholarships for Honors College students, and they are the parents of April Nelson, a past Whitinger Scholar and 2002 graduate of our University.
The University will also honor longtime benefactors and Ball State graduates Michael and Katherine Shebek by naming our baseball stadium as Shebek Stadium in recognition of the family’s $5 million gift.
Located within the baseball complex, Shebek Stadium will feature a state-of-the-art clubhouse, including a locker room, nutrition space, and meeting area. Mike and Katherine share a passion for sports, and Mike was a standout pitcher for the baseball team while he was a student at our University.
Also during the meeting, the Board authorized me to execute an agreement with Trademark Construction, a homebuilder based in East Central Indiana. Pursuant to the contract, Trademark will construct 17 new attached townhomes and eight new single family homes as part of our ongoing Village revitalization project. The addition of new owner-occupied housing is an important component of our ambitious plan to revitalize The Village—a component that will help achieve a goal shared by the University and City of Muncie to provide more housing options for people to live near where they work.
Finally, the Board approved my recommendation to appoint Sue Hodges Moore as our University’s interim vice president for business affairs and chief financial officer.
As you know, Sue previously served for several years as our chief strategy officer. She is familiar with our strategic priorities—and she has already worked with many of you. Moreover, when she worked with me at Northern Kentucky University, Sue held many of the same responsibilities that fall within the scope of this latest assignment.
I hope you will join me in welcoming her back to campus when she begins her new interim role.
At the end of the Board meeting, I made a few comments. I encourage you to read my remarks.
It is a privilege to serve with you, and I am grateful for your encouragement and support.
