BSU creates position for econ. development

By GAIL KOCH gkoch@muncie.gannett.com

MUNCIE -- Ball State University's Frank Sabatine, dean of the School of Extended Education, has been appointed as the university's first associate vice president of economic development and community engagement.

In his new role, Sabatine will oversee Ball State's Building Better Communities (BBC) initiative. Organized in 2003, BBC is Ball State's platform for fostering economic development and quality-of-life improvements in Indiana.

Sabatine said BSU has promoted economic and community development in the Hoosier state for more than 30 years. Now, he said in a university release, "We have the resources and the drive to ramp up our efforts, becoming even more active in assisting the state of Indiana's transition from a manufacturing-based economy to one that can prosper in the technology-centered 21st century."

The BBC is a key component of the university's 2007-2012 strategic plan, which identifies a goal for the initiative to grow BBC projects and programs by 10 percent annually.

Examples of such projects and programs include those produced by BBC's partnering program, Business Fellows. The Business Fellows program pairs students with faculty in immersive learning experiences, such as solving problems or creating goods for businesses statewide.

President Jo Ann Gora said Sabatine was selected for the position given his extensive background in economic development, making him the best person to direct BSU's contributions to local governments, businesses and economic development groups.

In his career, Sabatine has been a governor's liaison to the Community College of Indiana, the commissioner of the Indiana State Board of Tax Commissioners and the business development director of the Indiana Department of Commerce.

* Contact news reporter Gail Koch at 213-5827.