Mickey Maurer and Julia Whitehead spoke to the Scientech Club 

Jeff Rasley, President of the Foundation, introduced well-known entrepreneur and philanthropist Mickey Maurer and Julia Whitehead, founder and CEO of the Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library, to speak to the Scientech Club on October 23, 2023. Rasley described Mr. Maurer's wide ranging business interests and philanthropic endeavors. Maurer was a co-owner of The Indianapolis Business Journal (IBJ), Court and Commercial Record, and The Indiana Lawyer. Maurer also is the founder of The National Bank of Indianapolis, the largest locally owned financial institution in central Indiana. In 2005 and 2006 Maurer was named Indiana Secretary of Commerce by Governor Mitch Daniels, while working for an agreed upon salary of $1 per year. In 2008, in recognition of Maurer’s longtime service and generosity to his alma mater, Indiana University School of Law — Bloomington was renamed Indiana University Maurer School of Law. Maurer created the philanthropic adult “summer camp” experience called Mickey’s Camp, which is held in Indiana each August at Bradford Woods, uniting business and civic leaders for a networking and educational setting outside of the workplace that also features a charitable component. Since its creation in 2001, Mickey’s Camp has raised more than $2 million for local charities.   

Rasley then turned the program over to Julia Whitehead, who interviewed Mr. Maurer about his recent literary efforts, which range from writing books about history, sports, and science fiction. A major theme which emerged from the talk was Maurer's conviction that to live a good and long life, one must engage in charitable activities. And that can be financial contributions to nonprofits doing good work like the Scientech Foundation. Or, it can be through volunteerism.