Get to know our Foundation Volunteer Leaders! Each month, the Foundation will feature its esteemed Board and Alumni Council members for you to get to know a little better. Below are some fun facts and a peek into what each of these board members do in their professional careers.

 

Mike Ray — Foundation Board (2016-Present)

Mike joined the Foundation Board in 2016 and currently serves as its Chair. He enjoys being part of the team of volunteers and staff that advance the mission of Ball State. During his tenure on the board, he has seen it evolve from a group with concentrated expertise in finance to the diverse board it is today, which pulls on many areas of expertise from alumni representing all Ball State colleges. He feels privileged to have witnessed the success and accelerated momentum of our University and the impact it has on students. 

Mike’s best memories of his time as a student at Ball State are his experiences with people like fellow Board member Dave Heeter. Dave and Mike met in accounting class, and their friendship grew when Dave helped Mike find housing close to campus, which led to meeting roommates who became life-long friends.  He also recalls former Miller College of Business faculty member Paul Parkison, who provided incredible feedback and guidance on Mike’s professional development, which led him to start his career in public accounting.  From there, Mike’s career included finance and human resources, and he served as the CEO of Vera Bradley until his retirement in 2013.

While Mike loves to travel, he cannot think of a better place to live than Ft. Wayne, IN. It’s home with family and friends nearby. Spending time with family and friends is Mike’s favorite thing to do—especially if that includes traveling.

 

Keith Robinson — Foundation Board  (2023-Present)

One of Keith’s most cherished memories of Ball State was during homecoming week, when students, faculty, and alumni united to celebrate the university. The sense of community was electric, from the parade to the football game, energizing the entire campus. He also has fond memories of his time at the Office of Multicultural Affairs, under the inspiring leadership of Dr. Brenda Greene. She created an inclusive, supportive space for students of color, that felt like a second home to Keith. The Black Greek culture at Ball State was also a defining part of his experience. From parties at the Student Center to stepping with his fraternity brothers of Omega Psi Phi, Inc., those moments helped build a deep sense of belonging and community.

Keith’s favorite part of volunteering with the University is witnessing the tangible impact we have on students’ lives. Whether through mentorship or fundraising events, the opportunity to help shape the next generation of leaders is incredibly rewarding. He especially enjoys connecting with students from the Teacher’s College, hearing how scholarships and university programs have played a key role in their academic journeys.

Keith’s career has been rooted in education, beginning as an English teacher in his hometown of Gary, Indiana, at Roosevelt High School. From there, he taught and coached at Pike High School in Indianapolis before moving to Illinois, where he furthered his education with a Master’s in Education Administration and Supervision and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership. Over the years, Keith has served in various capacities—teacher, coach, dean, assistant principal, and associate principal—each role focused on creating positive learning environments and fostering leadership in both students and staff.

His dream place to live would be a serene beach town surrounded by both mountains and a lake. He envisions a place where the natural beauty of the landscape combines with a close-knit community. It would offer a perfect balance of outdoor activities—fishing, boating—and the peace and relaxation of simply living.

During his free time, he enjoys reading books on leadership and personal growth, and spending time with his family— wife, Sharon, and daughters, Taryn and Kari. On weekends, you can find him catching up on the latest Netflix series or diving into football and college sports. He can always fins some relaxation with a glass of bourbon served neat, or a mouthful of flavorful red wine, a simple way to recharge and reflect on both personal and professional growth.

 

Greg Schenkel — Foundation Board Emeritus

Greg has many wonderful memories of Ball State, and the first was Golf Coach Earl Yestingsmeier, who recruited him to play golf. Additionally, he provided Greg with student employment throughout his four years in the Sports Information Department. Other memorable things included being on campus when Ball State achieved University status and nearly doubled enrollment, being a member and officer of Sigma Phi Epsilon and making life-long friendships, having excellent instructors and professors, and “learning to learn.” These experiences prepared him well for the “real world.”

Greg served 16 years as a Ball State Trustee and ten years as a Foundation Board member. He loved being engaged in efforts that made Ball State an increasingly important part of Indiana’s higher education system. In 2018, he was also recognized with the “Distinguished Alumni Award.”

Greg’s career was spent in public and government relations/communications in the corporate world. He retired from his last position as senior vice president of Public, Corporate, and Community Relations at Pacers Sports & Entertainment.

Greg and his wife, Claudia, enjoy spending time in Lake Wawasee, Indianapolis, and Amelia Island, Florida. They enjoy time with their daughter Laura (also a BSU alum) and grandkids Ellie and Bobby and many days on the golf course.