Stories of Gratitude
January 27, 2022
As we embark on a new year, I want to share my plans to proceed with hosting another series of campus conversations throughout the Spring 2022 semester.
As you know, this is not the first time I've engaged you in this manner. In my first academic year as president, I participated in walking tours across campus to visit all of you in your offices, your work spaces, and your classrooms. In 2020, I again met with faculty and staff across colleges and divisions, before the pandemic forced us to move to remote instruction.
This semester, as conditions permit, I will once again visit with you so that I can discuss some of the challenges that I spoke about during my Convocation address last August. These challenges relate to our ongoing efforts to implement our strategic plan. As I also shared at Convocation, I am particularly interested to hear your suggestions as to how we can convert these challenges into opportunities for greater impact for our students and the communities that we serve.
The dean of your college or the vice president of your division will inform you of the date of your future meeting. I will also hold two open forums for those of you who are not able to attend your college or division meeting.
I encourage you to attend and participate in one of these conversations. Your engagement will ensure that we fulfill our vital mission.
Sincerely,
| |
Ball State Response to COVID-19
All employees are strongly encouraged to get a COVID-19 vaccination and then attest to their full vaccination using our online form. For more COVID-19 information, plans, and resources for faculty, staff, students, and campus visitors, visit the Ball State Cardinals Care website.
On-Campus Vaccine Clinic Days in January
The vaccination clinic in Ball State’s Interprofessional Community Clinic (ICC) will be open 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. in the Health Professions Building on Feb.2, Feb. 4, Feb. 9, Feb. 11, Feb. 16, Feb. 18, Feb. 23, and Feb. 25. Walk-in appointments are welcomed. Alternatively, make an appointment at ourshot.in.gov and select “DCHD BallState WRiversideAve MVAX.”
The vaccine clinic at the ICC offers the Moderna booster shot as well as the Moderna vaccine series. Call the Interprofessional Community Clinics at 765-285-4422 with questions.
| |
For Your Benefit
LEAD program helps build leadership skills
The Leadership Excellence and Development (LEAD) program—designed for current, aspiring, and future leaders at Ball State University—was launched in Spring 2021 to align with our Strategic Plan and our Professional Development Enhancement program. To date, the University has had 61 employees graduate from the program. The Fall 2021 LEAD graduates finished the program Dec. 15. Questions about the LEAD program can be emailed to Breanne Holloway, the University’s assistant director of Organizational Development and Learning.
Check your risk for heart disease and stroke
February is American Heart Month. Taking care of our hearts as part of our self-care encourages others to do the same. Eating well, exercising, and knowing your risk for heart disease and stroke are great ways to get started. “Working Well” encourages you to assess your risk of heart disease and stroke. The American Heart Association offers My Life Check®, an online tool to help people protect against heart disease. Visit MyLifeCheck.org to get started and enter HGE001 when it asks for your organization’s code.
Professional development opportunities available through Academic Impressions
Faculty and staff are encouraged to continue engaging in Ball State’s valuable partnership with Academic Impressions. This partnership provides all faculty and staff with access to expansive online professional development resources designed to provide support for holistic career development. A large percentage of these offerings are free, or at discounted rates, as members. Academic Impressions’ resources for professionals covers various topics, including advancement, diversity, equity, inclusion, faculty success, leadership development, student success, and more.
Here are a few of their upcoming events:
Create an Academic Impressions account by logging in at www.academicimpressions.com using your @bsu.edu email address. Questions about this program can be directed to Breanne Holloway, the University's assistant director of Organizational Development and Learning, at 765-285-1819, or emailed to learndev@bsu.edu.
| |
'Our Call to Beneficence' Podcast
Latest episode features Ball State graduate Kent C. "Oz" Nelson-retired chairman and CEO of United Parcel Service (UPS)
Kent C. “Oz” Nelson, retired chairman and CEO of United Parcel Service (UPS) and Ball State alumnus, is the guest in the latest episode of the monthly podcast “Our Call to Beneficence,” hosted by Ball State University President Geoffrey S. Mearns. The episode featuring Mr. Nelson is available now.
The podcast features President Mearns’ conversations with graduates and friends of Ball State who embody the spirit of Beneficence through their professional success and personal service.
Mr. Nelson, ‘59 LLD ‘94, worked at UPS for 37 years, revolutionizing the logistics and supply chain industry for the package delivery company.
A former Cardinal tennis player and a business administration graduate of the University’s Miller College of Business, Mr. Nelson has dedicated his time and expertise to giving back to Ball State. He served as a member of the Ball State University Foundation board for 12 years, a committee board member for three capital campaigns, and has been an active member of the Miller College Dean’s Executive Advisory Board since its inception in 2003.
All episodes of the “Our Call to Beneficence” podcast are available online, as well as on multiple platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Subscriptions and reviews are also encouraged to help grow the audience for this podcast.
| |
A. Jane Morton Award
Nominations sought for 2022 A. Jane Morton Award
The A. Jane Morton Award recognizes a continual demonstration of outstanding efforts of one person to all segments of the University community. Each year, an honoree for this award is selected from a group of nominated active full-time exempt and non-exempt staff personnel who have been University employees for at least five years.
Any University employee (co-workers, supervisor, faculty members) or retiree may nominate an eligible staff member, using this nomination form. The nomination period began Dec. 13 and ends at 4 p.m. on Feb. 22. It is the responsibility of the nominator to submit all required materials, including additional letters of support, as outlined on the nomination form.
This year, the award will be presented to the winner at a small reception at a date to be determined. The A. Jane Morton award honoree will receive a framed engraved print, and a monetary award of $1,000.
| |
Government Relations
Stay Current on Latest Statehouse News
The Office of Governmental Relations 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.
| |
R. Wayne Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning
| |
Accolades and Honors
- Landscape Architecture
Four graduates of the R. Wayne Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning (CAP) have been elevated to 2021 Fellow status by the American Society of Landscape Architects: Catherine Clark, BLA'02; Jonathon Geels, BLA '05; SuLin Kotowicz, BLA '02; and Sean Rotar, BLA '00. - Interior Design
Sarah Angne Alfaro, assistant professor of Interior Design, is one of 15 University faculty selected to participate in the High Impact Practices Faculty Learning Community program and integrating the program into her Spring course.
CAP lecture series events planned for February
Feb. 7—CAP PechaKucha: Faculty sharing their pandemic-era art, 4 p.m. in Architecture Building Room 100. All are welcome to attend.
Urban Planning work displayed at Muncie Mall storefront site
The Department of Urban Planning showcased the work of four studio classes on Dec. 13 at their Muncie Mall storefront location. Dr. Susana Rivera-Mills, Ball State's provost, Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour, and many other community leaders came to see students' ideas for Muncie neighborhoods and to ask questions.
| |
Miller College of Business
| |
Mentor program concludes its first semester
The mentoring component of the SOAR program has already made a substantial impact and shows great promise for the future. The mentoring program for SOAR is managed on the Ball State Cardinals Connect platform. It has become a vehicle for more significant industry and community engagement, with more than 180 mentors matched with students in MCOB-200 classes during its inaugural semester.
Furthermore, the mentoring program for MCOB-200 has drawn considerable enthusiasm from students. Based on a class survey, 91 percent of students stated that the mentoring component in MCOB 200 was a good use of their time, and 87 percent plan on staying in touch with their mentors.
| |
| College of Communication, Information, and Media
| |
Ball State, Daleville Community Schools launch Esports Partnership
Ball State Esports and the Daleville Community Schools launched a partnership that brings together esports athletes from both schools to participate in a series of practices, games, and competitions. As part of this one-year agreement, Ball State will host students from Daleville Jr.-Sr. High School at its new Esports Center. Daleville students will also benefit from coaching and instruction from Ball State Esports student-athletes and the program’s director and varsity head coach, Dan Marino.
Journalism lecturer earns 2021 ATHENA Young Professional Award
Kate Elliott, lecturer of Journalism and coordinator of the Magazine Media Concentration, is a 2021 recipient of the ATHENA Young Professional Award. This award is given to an emerging leader who demonstrates excellence. Learn more about Ms. Elliott and other 2021 ATHENA Award winners in this Muncie Journal article.
| |
DOMA director gives lecture for Italian art gallery
Dr. Robert G. La France, director of the David Owsley Museum of Art (DOMA), gave an online lecture for the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy, recently. “Bachiacca: Mugello to the Medici Court” is now available to view on the Uffizi’s Facebook page and will be posted later on the Uffizi’s video archive.
Exhibition includes Ball State associate professor's artwork
“Work,” by Associate Professor of Art Jennifer Halvorson, is part of the CraftForms 2021 at the Wayne Art Center in Wayne, Pennsylvania. Her work can be seen until Jan. 29 and is also online. CraftForms 2021 is the 26th International Juried Exhibition of Contemporary Fine Craft—showcasing works in basketry, ceramics, decorative fiber, furniture, glass, jewelry, metal, mixed media, paper, wearable art, and wood.
Articles Published
Articles by two Ball State faculty members were published recently in the peer-reviewed online journal Etudes:
| |
Nurse caring for COVID-19 patient shares her story
Sabrina Manahan—a Ball State alumna and nursing graduate student—is one shining example of nurses caring for patients with COVID-19. Ms. Manahan, who works at IU Health Arnett Hospital in Lafayette, Indiana, volunteered to work on the hospital’s COVID floor. She is pursuing her master’s degree in Nursing through Ball State’s online academic program. Learn more about Ms. Manahan in this blog post.
Adult Physical Fitness Program holds shoe drive with Soles for Souls
The Adult Physical Fitness Program is collecting gently used shoes for the non-profit organization Souls for Shoes until the end of February. Any type of gently used shoes, except slippers, are accepted. Place donated shoes in the collection box located inside the Adult Physical Fitness Program room, RC 135, across from the rock-climbing wall within the Jo Ann Gora Student Recreation and Wellness Center. For more information, email Nicole Koontz at nlkoontz@bsu.edu.
| |
College of Sciences and Humanities
| |
Ball State hosts statewide convention for German language teachers, students
Dr. Laura Seset, teaching professor of German; Ms. Jutta Volgelbacher, assistant lecturer of German; and the Ball State German Club are preparing to host the statewide convention for secondary German teachers and students on Ball State’s campus Saturday, Feb. 12. The event, Staatskongress (translated “State Convention”), includes workshops, national competitions for scholarships and awards, and team quiz bowl competitions. For more information, email: llwilson@bsu.edu.
Five new computer science concentration areas to be offered in Spring 2022
The Department of Computer Science will launch five new concentration areas within its Computer Science major in the Spring 2022 semester. Students pursuing a lucrative career in computer science can now customize their learning journey to their interests, selecting from General Computer Science, Web and Mobile App Development, Cybersecurity and Secure Software Design, Game Design and Development, or Data Analytics and Machine Learning.
| |
Partnership established with school in Egypt
Teachers College has established a partnership between Ball State University and the Global Paradigm International School in New Cairo, Egypt. The partnership extends Ball State’s impact in the professional development of K-12 educators internationally.
Burris student earns full-tuition scholarship
Burris Laboratory School senior Hazel Crow was named a 2022 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar of Delaware County. The scholarship provides full-tuition, fees, and up to $900 per year for books and equipment for four years of undergraduate study on a full-time basis. Ms. Crow plans to study early childhood intervention. Learn more.
Million-dollar grant supports afterschool/extended day program
The Indiana Department of Education renewed a $1 million dollar grant to Dr. Patricia Clark and Dr. Eva Zygmunt, professors of Early Childhood, Youth, and Family Studies. The funding supports the afterschool/extended day program at Longfellow Elementary School.
Article Published
"The coming out experiences of gifted, LGBTQ students: When, to whom, and why not?" by Dr. Jo Tuite, associate director/head of Admissions at the Indiana Academy; Dr. Lisa Rubenstein, associate professor of Educational Psychology; and Dr. Serena Salloum, associate professor of Educational Leadership—was published in the December 2021 issue of Journal for the Education of the Gifted. The authors explored the coming out experiences of gifted, LGBTQ alumni from a residential gifted school.
| |
Honors College seeks nominations for its associate dean position
Nominations or self-nominations of current Ball State University faculty are being accepted for the position of Associate Dean of Honors College. Send nominations—on or before Friday, Feb. 11, 2022—to John Emert, dean of Honors College at emert@bsu.edu. For additional information, contact Dean Emert.
| |
University Libraries' collection highlights award-winning books on diversity issues
The University Libraries’ Diversity Award Winning Books Collection Spotlight showcases items which have received awards for addressing issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, or are authored by members of underrepresented, marginalized, and minoritized communities. Books from these collections may be borrowed by any user of University Libraries with a valid library account.
The books are arranged by award—over 20 collections, and growing—including:
- American Library Association Black Caucus Awards
- Arab American Book Award
- Association for Asian American Studies Book Award
- Carter G. Woodson Book Award
- Lambda Literary Award
- National Jewish Book Award
- Women's Prize for Fiction
Listings may be sorted by title, author, or publication date and are also keyword searchable. From there, it takes just a few clicks to place a hold on an item for users to pick up at a library service location: Bracken, Architecture, Foundational Sciences, or Health Libraries.
The Diversity Award Winning Books Collection Spotlight is a recent service addition to the University Libraries’ overall commitment to enriching Ball State University’s culture of inclusion, diversity, and equity. The Spotlight will be updated often and can be accessed via the Collection Spotlight link on the Libraries’ Do Research page.
| |
|
|
|
|
