Get to know our board members! Each month, the Foundation will be featuring three of its esteemed board members for you to get to know a little bit better. Below are some fun facts as well as a peek into what each of these board members do in their professional careers.

Mark Ervin (2001-2018)

Mark Ervin has been a long-time supporter and advocate of Ball State and the ways that this university supports its students and staff. He served on the BSU Foundation Board of Directors from 2001 to 2018. From 2015 to 2017, he served as the Board Chair. In addition, Mark served on the BSU Alumni Association Alumni Council from 1996 until 2007 and was Council Chair in 2006.

Throughout his service with the Foundation, Mark fell in love with two aspects of serving. First, he loved knowing that the work he and his team did together would benefit countless students and their families for years to come. He also loved serving alongside many wonderful and selfless people who quickly became good friends, mentors, and colleagues.

Alongside his service to Ball State, Mark worked for over thirty years as a practicing attorney in Muncie. Before that, he worked for nine years at Ball State in the Alumni and Development departments. He is incredibly grateful for all the professional opportunities he has had. Mark stated that his dream place to live is wherever he is at the time. He loves everything from the ocean to the mountains and everything in between. To him, the key is to be thankful and happy wherever he is. His favorite thing to do in his free time is to be with family. Mark also enjoys watching and participating in sports of all kinds.

Julie Griffith (2017-current)

Julie Griffith joined the Ball State University Foundation Board of Directors in November 2017. She enjoys working with the extremely talented staff and board to advance the mission of Ball State. Julie finds it gratifying to talk with other alumni and potential donors to help them see and appreciate the great things that are happening at the university.

In her professional career, Julie started her own consultancy in January 2023. Her career has spanned stints in the energy and defense sectors, higher education, and different start-ups. She enjoys the fact that her career has looked so unique and has required her to take risks.

Julie’s dream place to live is in Kiawah Island in South Carolina. In her free time, she loves spending time with family and friends. She also plays golf and tennis and has a passion for reading.

Kelli Lawrence (2021-current)

Kelli Lawrence joined the Foundation Board in 2021 as an Alumni Council representative.  She has served on the Alumni Council from 2012-2023 serving as the chair from 2019-2021. Kelli became a generally elected member of the Foundation Board in 2023.

Through volunteering, Kelli loves the opportunity to stay connected with Ball State, hear from exceptional students, and meet alumni from different eras and majors. She also appreciates the chance to learn about the continued growth and evolution of Ball State. Kelli stated that she feels fortunate for the many blessings Ball State, her classmates, and her fellow alumni have bestowed on her life.

Currently, Kelli is the CEO of Onyx + East, which is a homebuilding company based in Indy, building homes in Florida and Ohio. Throughout her career, she has always been involved in residential real estate. She finds it extremely gratifying to build people’s homes as homes are the groundwork for special moments, well-being, safety, and security.

Kelli’s dream home would be built in Colorado as she loves enjoying the natural beauty of different landscapes and outdoor activities. She also would love a beach house somewhere warm near the ocean. In her free time, Kelli loves to spend time watching her kids playing sports. She also enjoys going to small venues to hear up-and-coming bands and musicians.