Dear Colleagues:

     I am pleased to share that Indiana Governor Mike Braun has appointed Dollyne Sherman as the newest member of the Ball State University Board of Trustees. Her appointment began Jan. 1.

     Governor Braun also announced the reappointment of trustees Mike McDaniel and Julie K. Griffith to new terms on the Board, each effective through Dec. 31, 2029.

     Ms. Sherman is an outstanding addition to our Board, and we are grateful that Mr. McDaniel and Ms. Griffith will continue their service. Each trustee brings valuable experience, insight, and a deep commitment to public service to a Board that supports and advances the University’s mission and our work to strengthen our campus, our community, and the State of Indiana.

     All three are Ball State graduates. Ms. Sherman earned her bachelor’s degree in political science and business administration in 1977. Mr. McDaniel earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and geography in 1973 and his master’s degree in public administration in 1979. Ms. Griffith earned her bachelor’s degree in political science in 1979.

     It is always meaningful to see our graduates return to serve their alma mater—especially when they do so in a spirit of public service.

     You can read more about Dollyne, Mike, and Julie—and Governor Braun’s comments about them—in this Ball State press release.

     Below are a few more stories I hope you will enjoy and share. Let your friends and colleagues know how “We Fly” at Ball State.

Sincerely,

Geoffrey S. Mearns
President
Ball State University

Ball State University conferred approximately 1,200 doctoral, specialist, master’s, baccalaureate, and associate degrees during its Fall 2025 Commencement ceremony at the University’s Worthen Arena on Dec. 13.

Ms. E. Renae Conley, ’80 MBA ’82, a longtime former member of the Ball State University Board of Trustees, delivered the Commencement address, encouraging graduates to step outside their comfort zones and embrace change and challenges. Drawing on her career and commitment to service, she offered insights shaped by decades of leadership.

Ms. Conley has been a dedicated leader at Ball State since joining the Board of Trustees in 2014, serving two terms as vice chair and two terms as chair. A proud Miller College of Business alumna, she has continued to invest in the University’s success through her longstanding involvement and philanthropic support.

She currently serves as CEO of ER Solutions, LLC, an energy consulting firm, following a distinguished career in the energy industry that included senior executive roles at Entergy Corporation and Cincinnati Gas and Electric.

Read more in this Ball State press release.

Bette Smith is serving as director of Ball State University’s Center for Innovation and Collaboration (CIC). Her role commenced Jan. 5, 2026.

Located at the southeast corner of Ashland Avenue and Martin Street in Muncie, the CIC will be a cornerstone of the University’s work to revitalize The Village district. The three-story facility—scheduled to open in Fall 2026—will bring together students, faculty, community organizations, and business partners to develop ideas, create prototypes, and support regional workforce and innovation needs.

As director, Ms. Smith will oversee the Center’s strategic direction, operations, and emerging programs. She will also help shape the Center’s initial organizational structure and expand partnerships that connect Ball State’s expertise with community and industry priorities.

Since its groundbreaking in 2024, the Center for Innovation and Collaboration has been a key project within Ball State’s Village Revitalization Plan, a public-private partnership designed to create a mixed-use district that strengthens the connection between campus and the surrounding community.

Alongside the CIC, the Performing Arts Center and the Cantio Hotel—both expected to open by Fall 2026—will serve as major anchors in the redevelopment of The Village. The CIC will offer collaboration spaces, design and fabrication studios, and technology-equipped labs to support hands-on learning and partnerships with business and community organizations.

Read more in this Ball State press release.

Dr. Liu Li, associate professor of Chinese in Ball State University’s Department of Modern Languages and Cultures, has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 William Hatfield Distinguished Lifetime World Language Career Award from the Indiana Foreign Language Teachers Association (IFLTA).

This prestigious honor recognizes an IFLTA member whose lifelong dedication has made significant contributions to world language education at the national, state, and local levels. Recipients are selected for sharing their expertise through teaching, scholarship, and professional service that advances the study and teaching of world languages across Indiana.

Dr. Li was formally recognized during the Global and Multil-IN-gual Celebration of Success Gala at the IFLTA Annual Conference on Nov. 7 in Indianapolis.

Read more in this Ball State press release.

Ball State University President Geoffrey S. Mearns has selected Dr. Judith Lewandowski to serve as the special advisor for purpose exploration. She will join Ball State on Feb. 9.

Ms. Lewandowski has an extensive record of teaching, research, and academic administration. Currently, she serves as the vice provost of adult teaching and learning at Purdue University Global. Prior to that, she served as the director of learning design and curriculum at the University of Notre Dame.

As a Hoosier native, Ms. Lewandowski was raised and educated in Indiana. She has three degrees from Purdue University—a bachelor’s degree in secondary education, and a master’s degree and a doctorate in learning design and technology.

Ball State University today, in conjunction with Ball State Day at the Statehouse, officially launched its new STEM Education Center, creating a dedicated hub for advancing STEM teaching and learning across Indiana.

The STEM Education Center’s mission is to expand access to high-quality STEM instruction, grow the pipeline of future STEM teachers, and position Ball State as a state and national leader in STEM education. The center will serve as a central point for youth programs, school and community partnerships, and faculty-led research, creating pathways that connect students—from elementary through college—with meaningful STEM experiences.

The center is housed in Ball State’s College of Sciences and Humanities and was developed through collaboration between Dr. Richard Petts, associate dean in the college, Dr. Andrew Gatza, the center’s director, and Ball State’s Teachers College. For more information or partnership inquiries, community members, educators, and students may contact Dr. Gatza.

Read more in this Ball State press release.

For the ninth consecutive semester, Ball State student-athletes recorded a combined department GPA of at least 3.40—this Fall, compiling a 3.489 mark—the highest single-term mark in program history. The 3.489 term GPA eclipses the 3.487 GPA that set a record last Spring. 

Seventeen of Ball State’s 19 sports teams boasted GPAs of at least 3.25 during the Fall semester. The women’s golf (3.926) and soccer (3.900) teams had the highest GPAs among women’s sports. The men’s tennis (3.655) and men’s golf (3.643) teams topped the men’s programs. Overall, 280 out of 436 total Ball State student-athletes earned a 3.5 GPA or above last semester.

Read more in this Ball State Athletics press release.

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