We’re six months into 2024.  Sometimes it can be hard to stop and celebrate our wins especially the small ones when there’s so much left to do. Let’s collectively take a moment to reflect on what we’ve accomplished as a division, within our various units, and as individuals both professionally and personally. Now that we’ve done that. Let’s focus forward.  What are some goals or maybe even dreams that you’d like to fulfill by the end of the year? Identify partners if you need help manifesting them. With all that’s within your power, make it happen. And when you do, let us know because we want to cheer loudly for you. For now, let’s go! You’ve got this!

Kudos

Please join us in celebrating Katie Matthews’ recent promotion to Financial Reporting Accountant. Katie did a tremendous job in her previous position as Staff Accountant, and we look forward to her continued contributions in her new role. Katie will be tasked with analyzing and reporting on the University’s Health and Life Insurance Plans, as well as other responsibilities around financial systems & security and cash & banking.  Congrats Katie!

Did you know?

Today, June 3rd, is World Bicycle Day. It was adopted by the United Nations in 2018 and celebrates the role that bicycles have in sustainable development worldwide.  It’s also a great form of exercise. See the benefits of biking and scenes from around the globe in the video below. Visit World Bicycle Day | United Nations for more information.

 

News from Our BA Leaders

Ball State Sustainability – Margaret Lo

Be part of the Sustainability Action Plan Creation – Survey

As Ball State prepares to create a Strategic Sustainability Action Plan, we are reaching out to campus stakeholders to see what they consider to be campus priorities. The survey will take 8-10 minutes to complete. We are eager to learn about the campus community’s experiences and hear your recommendations for future efforts. We want to hear from you! You can find the survey here.

Celebrations

Retirement

At the end of June, Jim Lowe, our AVP for Facilities, Planning, and Management will be retiring after 37 years of incredible service.  All of us that are fortunate enough to come to work at this beautiful campus every day owe a debt of gratitude to Jim for his dedicated work to take care of this campus.  His hard work and lifetime of dedication will serve us now, as well as setting the foundation for generations of employees and students to enjoy and benefit from this campus.  Just to name a few significant things from Jim’s time here:  the lovely east mall, the Foundational Sciences building, the College of Health building, the Multicultural Center building, Cooper, Letterman building, many many renovations and upgrades, and without Jim, we would not have the only geothermal plant on a college campus.  Besides taking care of Ball State, Jim has also been very involved in the Muncie community.  He currently serves on the Muncie Community Schools Board, the board of the YMCA, the Muncie Redevelopment Commission, and the Muncie Landbank.

Words are not enough to express my gratitude to Jim for his hard work and dedication.  Ball State and Muncie are better because of him.  That is a great legacy to leave behind.  Please join me in congratulating Jim and wishing him the best of luck as he heads off to spend more time with the people that matter most to him.  Thank you, Jim! – Alan Finn, VP for Business Affairs and Treasurer

See what his reports have to say about him:

“Jim’s wealth of knowledge and guidance will be missed dearly.  I’ve always appreciated his honesty and his conviction to assure Ball State University is at the forefront of his decisions.  A true steward.” – Robert E. Ramey III, Director of Construction

“Jim’s passion for Ball State University’s campus and the surrounding community is incredible. His leadership style inspires those on his team to do great work and be innovative. His contributions are invaluable and I know they will continue to be. Congratulations to Jim on his retirement. Well deserved!”– Melissa Wormer, Director of Budgets, Administration and Transportation Services

I met Jim while working for the City of Muncie as their Public Works Director on the Petty/Neely Avenue and Riverside Avenue projects on Ball State’s campus around 2008.  It was truly a memorable experience so much so that I have our ribbon-cutting pictures proudly displayed on my office wall.  In 2018, I came to work at Ball State under Jim’s leadership. Since then, I’ve had many opportunities to grow and learn from him professionally, sometimes with a well-placed “PAUSE” under certain circumstances. Thank you, Jim, for your professionalism, dedication, knowledge transfer, mentorship, and for maintaining a beautiful campus over the years.  Well done!  Enjoy your retirement and remember, I still have all your phone numbers! – Pete Heuer, Director of Operations

“Working with Jim has been a real honor and privilege I have had for the last thirty plus years. The things he has done for Ball State and the Muncie Community Schools are nothing short of remarkable. Watching the new construction projects come to life and then completion under his watch has been amazing. His retirement is much deserved, but I will be incredibly sad for the day he is gone.” –Angela Pickett, Facilities Account Space Coordinator

“Jim – Thank you for your leadership and belief in all of us. Your dedication is immensely appreciated, and we are forever grateful for your leadership.” – Transportation Department

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to Kyle Harris (Human Resources Partner), Amin Lahlou (Director of Student Financial Services), and Heather Nunley (Accounts Receivable Representative)! We are celebrating another year of life with you and hope you enjoy your special day.

Enduring Values

This month we are highlighting our enduring value, Inclusiveness. Check out the Inclusive Calendar for information on upcoming events.

Inclusiveness. We commit to respect and embrace equity, inclusion, and diversity in people, ideas, and opinions.

Each Monday in June, an inclusiveness prompt will be shared on our LinkedIn page, Facebook page, Telus Health, and under the Enduring Values tab right here on our blog.

In case you missed it

Facebook

Business Affairs now has a Facebook company page. Be sure to adjust your privacy settings based on your personal preferences. The Facebook company page will mirror our LinkedIn company page and is another platform to connect and spotlight you as well as keep you informed. You can access our Facebook page at the following link, Facebook – Business Affairs.

Questions & Feedback

Do you have quotes, recommended books, recipes, photos from departmental festivities, retirement news, an exciting life event you’d like to share, or just want to provide feedback? Send your contributions or comments to Kcwebb@bsu.edu. If you’d like to be recognized for your birthday, please complete the Business Affairs recognition form here. We’d love to celebrate you!