This year, we are celebrating yet another record-setting One Ball State Day. The amount raised surpassed $1.2 million—making this our largest day of giving yet. More than 7,400 gifts were made during this 24-hour fundraising event held April 5. The gifts we received will enable us to continue providing a transformational education experience to our students.
I am grateful to our University community—our students and their families, our graduates, and our faculty and staff—who contributed to the success of One Ball State Day 2023. Additionally, I am grateful to everyone who served as ambassadors, spreading the word about this special giving day and encouraging others to contribute.
All of these contributions help further our University’s mission to engage students in educational, research, and creative endeavors that empower them, as graduates, to pursue fulfilling careers and meaningful lives.
|
|
|
Geoffrey S. Mearns
President
Ball State University
|
| |
|
David Letterman Returns to Campus May 1 for Documentary Premiere at Emens Auditorium; Event is Free and Open to the Public
Ball State University is welcoming special guest, Ball State graduate David Letterman, ’69, to campus on May 1 for the premiere of the original documentary “Clear Reception” at 7 p.m. in Emens Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public, with no tickets required.
“Clear Reception” is the result of an interdisciplinary partnership between the College of Communication, Information, and Media—specifically the Department of Media and the David Letterman Learning Experience within our Center for Emerging Media Design & Development (EMDD)—and our College of Fine Arts. The 25-minute documentary shares the story of Mr. Letterman’s interest in our glass art program and his request for a commissioned unique sculpture created by students studying and working at our Marilyn K. Glick Center for Glass.
Mr. Letterman made multiple visits to campus to participate in the making of the documentary, engaging with students under the direction of faculty member Chris Flook to produce the film. Mr. Letterman also worked with EMDD graduate students led by Dr. Jennifer Palilonis, as well as undergraduate students studying with Dr. Christoph Thompson in the School of Music and undergraduate students studying with professors Brent Cole and Jon Rees from the School of Art.
Before the screening of “Clear Reception,” the evening will begin with remarks from Mr. Letterman discussing his reason for commissioning the artwork. Afterward, he will participate in a conversation with two of the students who served as producer and director for the film.
In addition to the documentary, EMDD students have created a transmedia project that includes a social media campaign, a website, a virtual tour of our glass facilities, and a glass art augmented reality scavenger hunt that will be displayed at the documentary premiere.
Learn more in this Ball State press release.
Spring Commencement Scheduled for May 6
Ball State University’s Spring Commencement 2023 will be held May 6—beginning with the main, University-wide ceremony in the Quad at 10 a.m. The main ceremony celebrates all graduates and will feature a speaker, an address from Ball State President Geoffrey S. Mearns, the hooding of doctoral students, the conferral of master’s and undergraduate degrees, and a special performance.
Master’s and undergraduate candidates will not be individually recognized at the main ceremony; they will walk across the stage as each one’s name is called at their assigned college ceremony. The times of those college ceremonies are as follows:
|
- 12:30 p.m. – R. Wayne Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning Ceremony at Emens Auditorium
-
12:30 p.m. – College of Fine Arts and College of Sciences and Humanities Ceremony at Worthen Arena
- 4 p.m. – College of Health and Teachers College Ceremony at Worthen Arena
- 7:30 p.m. – Miller College of Business and College of Communication, Information, and Media Ceremony at Worthen Arena
|
These ceremonies will not be ticketed, so graduates are welcome to invite as many guests as they would like. The venues will open one hour prior to each ceremony start time, and each ceremony is estimated to last two hours. Students and guests are expected to adhere to the etiquette and protocol guidelines.
Spring Commencement will be live-streamed.
|
Undergraduate Admissions & Orientation |
Ball State's Admitted Students Day 2023 Attracts Nearly 4,500 Visitors to Campus
Admitted Students Day (ASD) 2023 was very successful, thanks to all who participated in the event by welcoming visiting students and families—or who worked behind the scenes before and during the April 14 event.
Here are a few impressive facts about ASD 2023:
|
- A total of 4,432 people, including 1,567 students, attended—compared to 4,071 total guests, including 1,464 students, in 2022.
-
Of the students who attended the event this year, 608 had not visited Ball State prior to Admitted Student Day.
|
The schedule from ASD 2023 shows the depth and variety of experiences and opportunities students, families and other guests had. View this highlight reel and Instagram reel.
ASD 2024 is scheduled for April 12.
|
Stay Current on the Latest Statehouse News
The Office of Governmental Relations & Industry Engagement invites you to subscribe to its weekly newsletter, Statehouse Update. The newsletter provides updates on key legislation being followed by the University and insights into the legislative process. Sign up or view past editions of the newsletter.
|
|
|
Our Call to Beneficence Podcast |
Next Episode of Our Call to Beneficence Features Award-winning Performer and Ball State Instructor, Sutton Foster
Sutton Foster—award-winning actor, singer and dancer; and an instructor of Theatre at Ball State—is the guest on the next episode of the monthly podcast Our Call to Beneficence, hosted by Ball State President Geoffrey S. Mearns. This episode is available now.
Ms. Foster, whose career credits include winning two Tony Awards, just completed her latest show on Broadway. She starred in the hit revival of “The Music Man” alongside her co-star, Hugh Jackman. While she takes a break from the stage, Ms. Foster has returned to Ball State this Spring to teach. Since 2010, she has been an instructor in the Department of Theater and Dance, where she has mentored many students in their pursuit of a fulfilling career in the arts.
All episodes of the Our Call to Beneficence podcast are available on multiple platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Subscriptions and reviews are also encouraged to help grow the audience for this podcast.
|
|
|
Lifetime Learning by Ball State Partners with MedCerts
Lifetime Learning—Ball State’s new non-credit division focused on helping learners prepare for an increasingly dynamic world of work—is entering a new partnership with MedCerts, a leader in online career training in allied health and information technology (IT) and a subsidiary of Stride, Inc.
Several certificate training programs are now offered through Lifetime Learning, including Phlebotomy Technician, Surgical Technician, Cisco CCNA Network Associate, and Cloud Computing Technician.
These convenient online programs accelerate opportunities in the healthcare and IT fields, and certification can lead to higher pay, promotion, or access to jobs. The CCNA prepares individuals for a career in IT by enhancing skills in network installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting. Surgical technologists have the unique opportunity to interact with patients prior to, during, and after surgical procedures.
Upon course completion, students qualify for and take certification exams to enter these fields and start a new career. Through Lifetime Learning, a dedicated enrollment specialist and career success coach support student progress and completion, enabling goal attainment. Lifetime Learning also offers funding to help pay for courses for those who qualify (through Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act vouchers), so income is not a barrier to pursuing career training.
|
| |
Immersive Learning Project Manager Receives 2023 Community Engagement Professional Award
Dr. Kara DuQuette, Immersive Learning project manager, was awarded the 2023 Community Engagement Professional Award for her contributions in the areas of community engagement and collaboration, education, immersive learning, service, social justice, and social healing. She received the award from the Community-Engaged Alliance at the alliance’s Summit & Research Symposium in Indianapolis on April 20.
Dr. DuQuette collaborates with many stakeholders, including community members, students, faculty, and administrators interested in participating in community-engaged partnerships. She talks with them about project ideas, funding, planning, and implementation.
The Community Engagement Professional Award is presented annually to recognize a professional staff member at an Indiana institution who demonstrates an ability to effectively cultivate, facilitate, and maintain high-quality partnerships with community organizations and representatives.
|
Tuition Remission Deadline Nears
The Summer tuition remission deadline is quickly approaching. Ball State offers a generous tuition remission benefit for eligible employees, their spouses, and dependent children. A request for tuition remission must be completed every semester after registering for classes. The online request form is available through the ServiceNow system and can be accessed on the PEB website.
The deadline to submit requests for tuition remission for all Summer classes (First Summer Session, Second Summer Session, Summer Semester) is 5 p.m. on Monday, May 15, 2023. Review the eligibility guidelines and instructions. For questions, email PEBTuition@bsu.edu or call 765-285-8461.
‘Care Now’ Programs Offer Support
The Care Now programs, available through Lifeworks, give employees specialized self-help resources on 24 topics, including dealing with stress or sleeping problems, or worrying about one’s budget. Log into Lifeworks using your Ball State username and password (SSO). Click on “Wellbeing” and then click on “CareNow.” For additional help, contact Lifeworks at 1-888-456-1324 for counseling.
|
|
|
R. Wayne Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning |
ECAP Hosts Design Workshop for High School Students
The R. Wayne Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning (ECAP) will host DesignWorks Academy 2023—a two-week residential workshop for high school students held on Ball State’s Muncie campus—July 9-21. The students will experience a variety of design fields such as architecture, landscape architecture, and urban planning. They will work closely with faculty and current college students, who take an active role in the learning process and engage individual students to teach the basics of structural and environmental design. Design projects will test the participants' creative problem-solving skills. Learn More
ECAP Hosts Interior Design Workshop for High School Students
The R. Wayne Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning (ECAP) will host the Youth Interior Design Forum (YIDF), a workshop open to high school students of any grade level. Graduating high school seniors who plan to attend Ball State University are encouraged to participate in this workshop to have a smooth transition to college and to get a head start. The workshop blends tradition and innovation in creative learning, covering areas in applied critical thinking and exploration with materials. Learn More.
|
- Sunday, June 4–Tuesday, June 13
- Sunday, June 18–Tuesday, June 27
|
- Monday, June 12–Friday, July 7
- Monday, July 10–Friday, August 4
|
Miller College of Business |
Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute Plans Youth Summer Programming
The Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute (ELI) is holding its youth summer camps. ELI prides itself in preparing youth to be changemakers and problem-solvers by providing youth opportunities to learn about their strengths and talents—while learning the importance of collaboration and teamwork. All camps, listed below, will be held at the ELI Launch Pad, located in the Oakwood Building on the Muncie campus.
|
- Entrepreneurial Leadership Camp (for students in grades 11 and 12)—July 25-27 (8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.)
-
Storytelling Through Lego® Serious Play (for students in grades 2 and 3)—July 18 (8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.)
- Problem-Solving Through Lego® Serious Play (for students in grades 4 and 5)—July 19 (8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.)
- Creativity and Innovation (for students in grades 6, 7, and 8)—July 20 (8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.)
|
Registration is open May 15 through June 30. For more information, visit www.bsu.edu/eli. A limited number of scholarships are available. Contact Candy Dodd for more details.
|
College of Communication, Information, and Media |
-
Center for Information & Communication Sciences (CICS) graduate student Jacob Alebiosu won first place at the Palo Alto Secure the Future Competition, where participants addressed challenges in cybersecurity.
-
Students and faculty members across the College of Communication, Information, and Media were recognized in this year’s Broadcast Education Association (BEA) Festival of Media Arts:
-
Sports Link’s Tristan Fluhr, Jovanni Alcantar, Donnie Harmon, and Dominick Liacone won first place for coverage of Ball State Men’s Basketball. Additionally, 2022 program graduates Peyton Monnell and Faith Denig received second place for their piece “Thy Will Be Done: The Trey Uetrecht Story,” and Peyton Monnell earned second in the Video Sports Story/Feature category.
- Current graduate student Cooper Griffin, along with undergraduates Tessa Smith, Phoebe Rensink, and Hope Stauffer, received an Award of Excellence for “Match Point 2.0: The Rise of HBCU Men’s Volleyball.”
-
Betsy Pike and graduate assistant Max van Dongen won an Award of Excellence for the documentary “Unstoppable Tiara Thomas.”
-
In the research paper competition, Adam Kuban won first place for “Teaching Climate Change While Building Critical Dialoguing Skills in an Era of Fake News & Misinformation,” and Dr. Rob Brookey, Jason Phillips, and Dr. Tim Pollard earned first with “Him too: John Lasseter’s Sexism and the Simple Solution of Purl.”
|
Accolades, Awards, and a Scholarship
|
-
Two Visual Communication seniors, Anika Gaska and Kyra Morgan, have been included in the 2023 Students to Watch list by Graphic Design USA (GDUSA) magazine. Every year, with the help of several of America’s leading art and design schools, GDUSA identifies top students ready to burst onto the design scene. View the full list of students online at Graphic Design USA: Students to Watch
-
Three students of Mei Zhong, professor of Voice, and Dr. Cynthia Lucile Smith, assistant teaching professor of Voice, placed at The Great Lakes Regional NATS Competition. Emily Sanders placed third in Lower College Classical Second Year Treble, Qianting Huang placed third in Advanced Classical Treble/TBB, and Chunhui Yang placed second in Adult Classical Treble.
- Theatre Education major Anna Kruger was recently awarded the National Alpha Psi Omega/Delta Psi Omega Scholarship in recognition of her theatrical work. The $3,000 scholarship will be used to further her studies and prepare her for a teaching career.
|
College of Health Adds to its Staff
The College of Health has two new employees, both of whom started on April 3:
|
-
Justin Tobyas, a Ball State graduate, is the new director of Interprofessional Education and Practice. Dr. Tobyas, MA ’07 Ph.D. ’20, is a certified athletic trainer and Project Lead The Way Biomedical Sciences teacher with more than 16 years of clinical experience. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training at the University of New Mexico in 1999.
- Jillianne Davis is the new student services coordinator. Ms. Davis is a Muncie native who graduated from Burris Laboratory School. In 2021, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Relations at Ball State.
|
College of Sciences and Humanities |
CHS Gets New Department: Women’s, Gender, and African American Studies
At the end of March, the Ball State University Board of Trustees approved the creation of a new department within the College of Sciences and Humanities: Women’s, Gender, and African-American Studies (WGAAS).
Two interdisciplinary programs—Women’s and Gender Studies, and African American Studies—were merged to form WGAAS. Beginning in Fall 2023, the new department will be in the Burkhardt Building, the location of Women’s and Gender Studies program office. The department is expected to move to a new space in 2024.
Dr. Sharon Lynette Jones will be the first department chair of WGAAS. She most recently served at Wright State University as a Director of African and African American Studies and affiliate faculty in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. A scholar of African-American literature, she has published on the Harlem Renaissance and recently edited a collection of writings by Angela Davis.
Professor Wins ICHE’s Bepko Faculty Community Engagement Award
Dr. Keisha Warren-Gordon, professor of Criminal Justice and Criminology and Director of the African American Studies program, won the Indiana Commission for Higher Education’s Gerald Bepko Faculty Community Engagement Grant Award (Bepko Award). Dr. Warren-Gordon has demonstrated an enduring commitment to engaging students in working with the community. Dr. Warren-Gordon’s students assist numerous agencies that advocate for and serve the neighborhood’s residents.
|
Scholarship, Award, and Honors
|
-
Indiana Academy seniors Charlie Berhrman and Karisten Poole were named recipients of the National Merit Scholarship, an award that goes to less than 0.2% of high school graduates in the nation. When they reached finalist status in February, Charlie and Karisten established themselves as two of the top 1% of high school seniors in the state of Indiana with their PSAT scores. Now, they are two of just 7,200 students in the country to receive a National Merit Scholarship.
-
Janet Jenkins, an assistant lecturer in the Department of Elementary Education and a doctoral student in the PhD program in Elementary Education, was awarded the 2022-2023 Excellence in Teaching Doctoral Level Award. Jackie Sydnor, associate professor in the Department of Elementary Education, nominated her, saying: “She is an outstanding educator who is focused on the success of her students and deserving of such an award to recognize her exemplary teaching.” Learn more.
-
Teachers College alum Tina McIntosh was named one of USA TODAY’s 2023 Women of the Year. Her work as founder and CEO of Joy's House, a local nonprofit that provides daytime care to adults with life-altering diagnoses, is inspiring and impactful. Ms. McIntosh earned a master’s degree from Teachers College in 1995. Learn more.
|
Instructors Appointed to Assistant Teaching Professorships
Honors College appointed two current adjunct instructors to assistant teaching professor positions, effective Fall 2023:
|
-
Galit Gertsenzon is a classically trained pianist and renowned scholar of musical arts. Named the recipient of The Vander Hill Distinguished Honors Educator Award in 2018, Dr. Gertsenszon’s teaching is acknowledged as innovative and integrative. Through music, socio-political science, and human geography, Dr. Gertsenzon teaches the interconnectedness of people and places, past and present, through the interdisciplinary lens of music. Her peer-reviewed scholarship has been presented and published by the National Collegiate Honors Council. She is also the Director of Zeigler Jewish Studies Program at Ball State.
-
Bridget Lester is an Honors College alumna who earned her B.S. and M.S. degrees in Biology and her Ph.D. in Human Bioenergetics. She is passionate about sharing her excitement and curiosity for science through her Honors College courses. Dr. Lester was named this Spring’s recipient of The Vander Hill Distinguished Honors Educator Award. She also conducts research at Ball State's Human Performance Laboratory (HPL), studying the health benefits of a physically active lifestyle. This ongoing work has led to several significant research publications.
|
View Past Commencements, Other Events Using University Libraries Digital Media Repository
Ball State University Libraries Digital Media Repository (DMR) provides access to past Ball State Commencement ceremonies and events. Watch videos, view ceremony programs, and browse past Commencement addresses in the DMR. University Libraries DMR averages more than 100,000 visits a year from researchers around the globe—with the number of visits growing each year.
|
|
|
Follow us on social media to stay up to date with current campaigns, news and events
|
| |
Ball State University 2000 W. University Ave. | Muncie, IN 47306 US
|
|
|
This email was sent to .
To continue receiving our emails, add us to your address book.
|
|
|
|
