June 26, 2025

     I am grateful to our many campus colleagues who planned and carried out Ball State’s inaugural We Fly Fest on June 7 on our vibrant campus. At this fun-filled event, we welcomed our friends and neighbors to experience what Ball State has to offer.

     More than 700 people attended We Fly Fest, enjoying games, food trucks, and music provided by a DJ, all at Brown Family Amphitheater. Also, families and individuals learned about Ball State at our information booths, and they were encouraged to explore our beautiful campus through self-guided tours or on a “student experience” bus tour. Later that evening, our guests were invited to return to the amphitheater for a Ball State Studio Band concert.

     Our Office of Community Engagement staff led the planning and execution of We Fly Fest, with assistance from 73 of our campus colleagues. Some helped with the planning. Others volunteered at the festival, assisting guests in finding their way; engaging with them at information booths, games, and swag tables; inviting people into our buildings; leading campus tours; and setting the perfect stage for performers.

     Because of the collective commitment, effort, and hard work of everyone involved with this event, We Fly Fest became another successful example of our University’s commitment to maintaining strong connections between our campus and the community we serve.

Sincerely,

Geoffrey S. Mearns
President
Ball State University

Summer Commencement Set for July 19

Ball State University’s 2025 Summer Commencement ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 19, in Worthen Arena. There will be one ceremony to recognize all graduates together. The ceremony is not a ticketed event, so graduates can invite as many guests as they would like. Additional information about this year’s Summer Commencement is available online. The ceremony will be livestreamed on the website on the day of the event.

Latest Episode of ‘Our Call to Beneficence’ Features Ball State Graduate, Former Dean of Students Dr. Don Mikesell

Dr. Don Mikesell, ’60 MA ’63, Ball State’s longtime former dean of students, is the guest on the June 2025 episode of the monthly podcast “Our Call to Beneficence,” hosted by Ball State President Geoffrey S. Mearns. This episode is available now. All episodes of the “Our Call to Beneficence” podcast are available on multiple platforms, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify. 

Dr. Mikesell has served in various roles at Ball State, including associate dean of students starting in 1981 and dean of students beginning in 1985. In 2001, he retired as dean of students emeritus.

In 2002, Dr. Mikesell received the Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest award the Ball State University Alumni Association may bestow on an alumnus. The award salutes both a commitment to Ball State and the achievements of alumni whose personal lives, professional achievements, and community service exemplify the objectives of their alma mater.

Dr. Mikesell graduated from the College of Health in 1960 (majoring in history, and physical education and health), and from the College of Sciences and Humanities in 1963 (majoring in history). He earned his doctorate in higher education/higher education administration from Indiana University.

Coming on July 1, 2025: Workday

Workday is Ball State’s new integrated Human Resources Information System that will streamline processes related to employee records, recruitment, compensation management, payroll operations, and benefits. Workday will replace the Banner Human Resources module and many supplemental systems, offering a more user-friendly experience.  

With Workday, employees will benefit from new processes for: 

Learning sessions for Workday have been recorded and can be accessed through Udemy at your convenience. Quick reference guides for common tasks will be available once Workday goes live on July 1.

Beginning July 1, employees can access Workday using single sign-on by visiting MyBallState. Once there, search for Workday or select it from the Human Resources Tools in the menu on the left side of the page.

Learn more on the Workday Website. 

Ball State Lifetime Learning and EMDD Host New Workshop at Ball State Fishers

Join host Bette Smith of Destra Consulting Group, 6:30-8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 9, for the interactive workshop, “Building Stronger Project Teams.” This session is designed to enhance team alignment and effectiveness, which are crucial in today’s dynamic workplaces.

The workshop will delve into three fundamental tools: team working agreements, project charters, and team meeting agendas. These tools are designed to help learners co-create clear expectations, define shared goals, and structure meetings for maximum impact.

Through engaging hands-on activities and real-world scenarios, attendees gain practical strategies to develop trust, create accountability, and drive results. Register online. 

Faculty Development Offerings and Support Available During Summer 2025

The Division of Online Strategic Learning’s Teaching Innovation Team has multiple self-paced faculty development courses offered throughout the Summer 2025 semester to help instructors of all modalities prepare for the upcoming academic year.  

One key area to update is course content housed in the Canvas learning management system. The Make Your Canvas Course Accessible self-paced course guides you through creating Canvas courses that are accessible to all students. Make Your Canvas Course Accessible includes written materials and short videos. Core modules cover the basics of accessibility, including its impact on students and the eight steps to making a Canvas course accessible. Enroll in Make Your Canvas Course Accessible today. 

Visit the Faculty Development Offerings webpage for the complete list of certificate courses, learning communities, and additional resources to enhance the effectiveness of online and in-person teaching practices.

Summer Faculty-Led Study Abroad Programs in Full Swing 

More than 100 Ball State students are studying abroad this Summer through nine Ball State faculty-led programs.

Students are exploring K-culture and storytelling in Korea with Michael Lee (Department of Media); Intercultural Communication in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco with Kathy Denker (Department of Communication Studies); Sustainability in Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and Germany with Tom Collins and Sarah Keo (Department of Architecture); Japanese Architecture and Design with Miguel San Miguel (Department of Architecture); Globalization in Costa Rica with Kim Hennessee (Department of Sociology); Education in London with Lynette Varner (Department of Elementary Education); Arabic language and Moroccan culture with Abdel Bidaoui (Department of Modern Languages and Classics); Ecology and Wildlife in the Galapagos Islands with Tim Carter and Mark Pyron (Department of Biology); and Theatre in Mexico City with Diana Grisanti and Veronica Santoyo (Department of Theatre and Dance).

These vibrant programs connect coursework to real-world learning and foster global awareness, intercultural competence, and lifelong memories. Faculty-led study abroad programs are collaborations between the Rinker Center for Global Affairs and the University’s academic units.

Faculty interested in developing a new program can contact Ashley Coker, director of Study Abroad.

Billiards Tables Available for Campus Community at Student Center

The University’s campus community can enjoy the billiards tables at the lower level of the L.A. Pittenger Student Center. To do so, show your Ball State ID at the Campus Information Center on the first floor. To host a tournament in the billiards room, submit a request to reserve the room for a department or organization online. There are fees associated with private billiards room reservations. Additional information on room reservations and fees can be found on the student center’s webpages. Also, questions can be answered by emailing studentctr@bsu.edu or calling 765-285-1926

Collaboration Leads to Washington Square Mall Being Reimagined

Dr. Dorna Eshrati, assistant professor of landscape architecture, is collaborating with Indianapolis City Councilor Michael-Paul Hart and community leaders on early visioning for the redevelopment of Washington Square Mall on Indianapolis’s Eastside. Equitable, community-driven reuse strategies—like mixed-use development, housing, and walkable public spaces guided by national best practices—will be explored.

Youth Interior Design Forum Attracts 60 High School Students

This Summer, the Interior Design program is welcoming 60 high school students from across the U.S. and abroad for the Youth Interior Design Forum, an immersive introduction to the world of interior design. The program includes a four-week online session or a 10-day on-campus workshop, where students explore design processes and fundamentals, color theory, and portfolio development. A highlight of the on-campus experience is a field trip day with visits to four professional design firms and showrooms. 

ECAP’s Building Renovation Gets Underway

Renovation at the Architecture Building focuses on the structure’s east end—specifically, the 1982 addition. Key improvements include upgrades to the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems and enhancements to the building’s sloped window facade. Additionally, new studio spaces will be created on the first and second floors of the south side of the building. The updates are expected to be completed by December 2026. F.A. Wilhelm Construction Co. is leading the project as the construction manager.

Miller College Earns Dual AACSB Reaccreditation in Business and Accounting

Miller College of Business has earned reaffirmation of accreditation from AACSB International—the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business—for its business and accounting programs. This achievement places Ball State among a distinguished group of fewer than six percent of business schools worldwide that hold both accreditations. This extension of accreditation marks a new six-year cycle—the maximum possible term, demonstrating sustained excellence across its academic programs, faculty research, student outcomes, and societal impact. AACSB accreditation is widely regarded as the benchmark of quality and rigor in business education worldwide. The review process examines institutions on strategic alignment, faculty qualifications, curriculum relevance, learner success, and societal impact. Read more online. 

Exemplary Employee Award Honorees for 2025 Celebrated

Miller College of Business announced its 2025 Exemplary Employee Awards honorees. These awards recognize faculty and staff who demonstrate exceptional achievement, foster a positive environment, and inspire others.

This year’s recipients, who were celebrated at the Spring Excellence Reception, include:

Student Production Award Winners and Emmy Nominees from CCIM

Several students, faculty, and staff of the College of Communication, Information, and Media (CCIM) were recognized by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) Central Great Lakes Chapter as winners of Student Production Awards and nominees for Emmy Awards. 

Emmy Winners

Emmy Nominees

Student Production Award Recipients

Accepting Nominations for the Muncie Mayor’s Arts Awards

Nominations are being accepted for the 2025 Muncie Mayor’s Arts Awards, the city’s highest honor for contributions to the arts. Artists of all disciplines, educators, patrons, volunteers, organizations, and businesses whose creative efforts benefit Muncie are eligible. The awards celebrate the role of the arts in community life and aim to uplift local creativity, leadership, and engagement. Submissions are due by 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 1. Questions can be directed to Lexi Musselman, communications manager at the College of Fine Arts, at lexi.musselman@bsu.edu.

Award & Recognition

Working in the Arts & Published

Free Aqua Zumba Classes Available This Summer

The Healthy Lifestyle Center is offering Aqua Zumba classes this Summer at Tuhey Pool in Muncie. Classes are free, but participants must pay the $2.50 gate fee for entry to the pool. Classes are held at 6 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays.

College of Health Welcomes Dr. Tina Veale to COH’s Leadership Team

Dr. Tina Veale has joined the College of Health’s leadership team as chair of the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology. Dr. Veale previously served as the founding program director for five speech-language pathology degree programs, three at Lewis University and two at Midwestern University. Dr. Veale also spent 28 years in private practice. She hopes to foster new interprofessional alliances to benefit speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and other healthcare providers.

Visit the Observational Beehive at the Nature Lab at the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse

After a brief hiatus, the observational beehive at the Environmental Education Center, also known as the Nature Lab, has a thriving bee colony once again.

The Field Station and Environmental Education Center staff worked with alum Stephen Hunter to prepare and fill the observational beehive with bees that had swarmed at a local property. Mr. Hunter runs Honey Rock Farms with his wife, Cynthia Hunter, an assistant lecturer of interior design at the Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning. The couple raises honeybees, cattle, and pigs. Mr. Hunter volunteers his time and expertise with the Nature Lab to help the honeybee hive thrive. The swarm has already settled into its new home, creating a new honeycomb, collecting pollen and nectar, and caring for its queen.

See the bees at the Nature Lab during these hours: 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday; and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturdays.

Grants and Accolades

Experience Tolkien Exhibit Before it Closes in July

The Ball State University campus and the Muncie community have through the end of July to see a special exhibit honoring the literary work of J.R.R. Tolkien, renowned author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy. On display outside Archives and Special Collections on the second floor of Bracken Library, the exhibit features selections from the Deborah and Fritz Dolak J.R.R. Tolkien Collection, which was generously donated to Ball State in 2013. Read more about the exhibit in this Ball State press release.

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