January 18, 2023
Dear Colleagues:
Ball State University is dedicated to serving Indiana, particularly in ways that spur our state’s economy to greater prosperity for all Hoosiers.
Our graduates are entering the workforce, continuing their education, or choosing to live in Indiana at an all-time high rate, according to the most recent First Destination report. More about the report can be found in this newsletter, and in this Ball State press release—which includes a video featuring Indiana Gov. Eric J. Holcomb and other prominent state leaders speaking about our University.
Ball State’s efforts to add our talented graduates into Indiana’s workforce pipeline begin when our students first arrive on campus. We are intentional about their education, which provides them with the knowledge and experiences to succeed in industries and organizations that are important to the growth of our state. We connect our students with employers in many regions across the state and encourage them to envision a life in Indiana after graduation. Presently, more than 70 percent of our 210,000 graduates live and work in Indiana.
Below are a few more stories that I hope you will enjoy and then share. Let your friends and colleagues know how “We Fly” at Ball State.
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Sincerely,
Geoffrey S. Mearns
President
Ball State University
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| Ball State University Graduates Supporting Indiana Economy at All-Time High Rate
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Ball State University graduates are entering the workforce, continuing their education, or choosing to live in Indiana at an all-time high rate, recent data shows
Affirming the value of a Ball State University education, the First Destination Report compiled by Ball State’s Career Center shows a 94 percent placement rate of the university’s Spring 2022 graduates. Of the students who reported employment, 78 percent work in Indiana, providing vital support for the state’s economy and adding robust skills to the state’s workforce. The overall rate of Indiana employment among undergrad graduates was the highest for the university since Ball State began collecting data in 2015.
Read more about Ball State’s significant impact on the Indiana workforce—and what Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb said about it—in this Ball State press release.
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Ball State Strengthens Presence, Continues Developing Meaningful Partnerships, in Fort Wayne Area
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Ball State celebrated its expanded presence in the Fort Wayne, Ind., area with “An Evening with Ball State at Electric Works,” an open house event held Dec. 7 at the sprawling mixed-use Electric Works development.
Ball State at Electric Works will be a place where students, faculty, and staff—primarily from the university’s R. Wayne Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning (CAP)—will continue working with partners in and around Fort Wayne to accelerate the growth and prosperity of the Northeast Indiana region.
Ball State at Electric Works will be a catalyst of meaningful partnerships between Ball State, and local community and industry leaders. And, CAP’s involvement at Electric Works is expected to be a catalyst for other Ball State colleges to also leverage their expertise in the Northeast Indiana region, with future opportunities currently being explored in the healthcare and education fields.
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| Ball State Announces $7.5 Million in Gifts for Performing Arts Center
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Two gifts totaling $7.5 million, which will financially support the catalyst for the university’s revitalization plan for the Village in Muncie, were announced during the Ball State Board of Trustees meeting on Dec. 16.
A $5 million gift from Marianne Glick and her husband, Mike Woods, plus a $2.5 million gift from June Scheumann, will advance the development and construction of the Performing Arts Center that will be located on the corner of McKinley and University avenues. The center, expected to attract people of all ages to the Village, is expected to host more than 160 Ball State performances annually and draw more than 35,000 attendees.
In recognition of these gifts, the Board on Dec. 16 also approved the naming of the center’s Marianne Glick and Mike Woods Lobby, and the Scheumann Studio Theatre.
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| More Than 1,200 Degrees Conferred During Ball State’s Fall 2022 Commencement Ceremony
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Ball State conferred more than 1,200 doctoral, specialist, master’s, and baccalaureate degrees for its Fall 2022 graduates at the university’s Commencement ceremony at Ball State’s Worthen Arena on Dec. 17. Special guest speaker was Ball State graduate Don Yeager ’84. Mr. Yaeger is a nationally acclaimed inspirational speaker, longtime former associate editor of Sports Illustrated, and author of over 30 books.
Also at Commencement, Ball State bestowed attorney and founder of the Emens Scholars program, J. Richard (Dick) Emens, with an honorary Doctor of Laws, formally recognizing his exemplary leadership and philanthropy to the university’s students. Mr. Emens founded the Emens Scholars program to honor his father, John R. Emens, the sixth President of Ball State; his mother, Aline B. Emens; and their combined 46 years of service to the university.
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| Ball State Women’s Volleyball Team Wins Second Straight MAC Regular Season Title; Coach Phillips Named MAC Coach of the Year
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The Ball State women's volleyball program was heavily rewarded for its second consecutive Mid-American Conference (MAC) regular season title, claiming four All-MAC honors, MAC Setter of the Year, and MAC Coach of the Year for head coach, Kelli Miller Phillips. The awards were voted on by the league's 12 head coaches and announced in late 2022 by the conference office.
The Cardinals in 2022 also earned their third NCAA Tournament appearance in four years under Coach Phillips, finishing with a 24-9 overall record.
Read more about the team’s MAC awards in this Ball State Athletics press release.
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