November 30, 2022
Stories of Gratitude
I want to express my gratitude to our Ball State University colleagues who make our beautiful campus look festive for the holiday season each year. With plenty of care and effort, they put up the lights and wreaths placed around our campus community, as well as the decorations that adorn Bracken House.
These decorations are more than eye-catching displays. Seeing them in the morning sets a cheer-filled tone for the day. Seeing them in the evening reminds us to maintain generosity and goodwill—hallmarks of the holiday season—even after those days that may not be joyful.
As you travel around campus over the next few weeks, I encourage you to stop and look at the decorations. They can put a smile on your face and put the holiday spirit in your heart. Season's greetings to you and your families!
| |
Peace,
Geoffrey S. Mearns
President
Ball State University
| |
Upcoming Events
Fall Commencement Set for Dec. 17 at Worthen Arena
Ball State University's 2022 Fall Commencement will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 17, in Worthen Arena. Learn more about the University's 2022 Fall Commencement on the Commencement website.
Volunteers are needed at Fall Commencement. Volunteer opportunities include:
- Directing the graduates and guests
- Serving as a point of contact for questions
- Restocking programs
Please volunteer by emailing Angel Tuttle, assistant director of Commencement and University Events, at atuttle@bsu.edu by Wednesday, Dec.7. All volunteers are greatly appreciated and will help make Commencement memorable for graduates and guests.
| |
Our Call to Beneficence Podcast
| |
Next Episode of Our Call to Beneficence Features Former Fashion Industry Exec, Former Senior VP of Apple Retail, and Ball State Graduate Angela Ahrendts
Angela Ahrendts—who has held top executive positions in the fashion industry and Apple Retail—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. Ahrendts ’81 LHD ’10, a New Palestine, Ind., native, earned a Fashion Merchandising degree in 1981 from Ball State’s Department of Family and Consumer Sciences. Her fashion industry career spanned three decades and included the positions of CEO of Burberry, executive vice president at Liz Claiborne Inc., and president of Donna Karan International. In 2014 she joined Apple Retail as senior vice president. One of the many career accomplishments was leading Burberry through a period of extensive global growth.
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.
| |
Self-guided Virtual Therapy is Available for Employees and Their Families
Employees and their family members who feel overwhelmed, stressed, or anxious may want to consider CareNow, a self-guided virtual therapy program provided by LifeWorks EAP. With CareNow, you can go at your pace and your convenience. This virtual therapy is free and completely confidential. In addition to stress management and anxiety, there are more than a dozen other topics, including depression, getting better sleep, and improving work-life balance. Access CareNow when you go to bsu.lifeworks.com or visit the LifeWorks app. Log in with your Ball State username and password.
| |
Staff Conference Set for April 21
Ball State's fifth annual Staff Conference is scheduled for April 21. A registration website will be live in January 2023. The conference will be a time for learning and sharing experiences as the significant contributions of staff employees are recognized and honored. There will be a choice of a morning session (8 a.m.-12:30 p.m.) or an identical afternoon session (11 a.m.-4 p.m.). Both sessions will take place at the L.A. Pittenger Student Center and include one-hour breakout sessions focused on training topics. A boxed lunch will be provided for this event. Questions about the conference can be directed to Breanne Holloway, assistant director of Organizational Development and Learning, at bholloway1@bsu.edu.
| |
| Ball State's 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. All individuals visiting the clinic will be required to wear a face mask.
On-Campus Vaccination Clinic Open Each Thursday for Remainder of Fall Semester
| |
Jean Crosby Becomes President of Alumni Association, Supported by Alumni Council
Jean Crosby '96 has become president of the Ball State University Alumni Association (BSUAA). Ms. Crosby is stepping into this new role with the support of the Alumni Council. Her presidency took effect Oct. 26. She maintains her role of president of the Ball State University Foundation (BSUF)/Vice President of University Advancement.
Ms. Crosby will assume overall responsibility for the BSUAA and its strategy, and own the results of the execution of the Next Level Alumni Engagement Plan (NLAEP), approved by the Board of Trustees in March. She will take the same active role with the Alumni Council that she has with the Foundation Board relative to fiduciary and governance responsibilities.
In her dual role as the leader for BSUAA and BSUF, Ms. Crosby strives to leverage both for continued growth, success, and partnership with the University.
| |
Government Relations
Stay Current on the 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 PlanningCAP Earns Zero Energy Design Designation from the U.S. Department of Energy
The College of Architecture and Planning's (CAP) Bachelor and Master of Architecture programs were among 17 leading educational programs in architecture and engineering to earn the U.S. Department of Energy's first-ever Zero Energy Design Designation (ZEDD). The recognition is given to educational programs preparing architecture and engineering students to design and build the most sustainable zero-energy buildings possible.
CAP Breaks Ground on Student Project: Zero-energy, Two-family 'Alley House' in Indianapolis
The College of Architecture and Planning (CAP) has broken ground on the site in Indianapolis where Alley House, an affordable, net-zero energy, sustainable two-family house—designed by a team of CAP students and faculty—is being built for the 2023 Solar Decathlon’s “Design + Build” competition. During this project, students and faculty look for innovative methods to build a high performance, passive-house certified, zero-energy home. One of the innovations implemented into the design is a frost protected, shallow slab foundation that floats on a double layer of rigid polystyrene. This method uses less concrete and reduces the carbon emissions associated with the Portland cement in the concrete and provides a highly-insulated foundation. The GEO-Slab system is engineered by Legalett, a company in Canada. CAP's Alley House is one of only a few buildings in Indiana to use this innovative system.
CAP Films Infomercial for PBS Program, 'Viewpoint'
Last month, the College of Architecture and Planning shot a promotional infomercial for the Dennis Quaid-hosted PBS program "Viewpoint," which will run on PBS channels nationwide. Specific topics included: Societal leadership and Social Justice, Environmental Stewardship and Community Engagement, and Technological Advances.
Miller College of Business'Cutting Edge Conversations' Webinar Video Available for Viewing
Miller College hosted its "Cutting Edge Conversations" webinar on Nov. 16. Anyone who missed the webinar and wants to see the video can contact Miller College. Topics discussed were:
- Designing Ads to Fight Childhood Obesity: Mark Mayer, assistant professor of Marketing
- Expanding the Reach of Healthcare Providers: The Role of Nurse Practitioners: David Michell, distinguished professor of Political Economy and the director of the Institute for the Study of Political Economy
- Using Virtual Reality to Build Better Leaders: Brian Whitaker, associate professor of Management
College of Communication, Information, and MediaBall State University Student Media Earns National Awards, Top Honors
Article Highlights Ball State Public Media's 'Daycare Detectives Inc.' Podcast
Ball State Public Media was featured in an online article by public media news outlet Current. The article is about Ball State public media's "true crime for toddlers" podcast Daycare Detectives Inc. Angie Rapp, Michelle Kinsey, and Sarah Kreps developed the podcast as part of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB)-PBS Ready to Learn Podcast Accelerator initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Education. Read more in this Ball State press release.
Sports Link Partners to Produce Live TV Broadcast of IHSAA's 2022 State Volleyball Championships
In partnership with the Indiana High School Athletic Association, Inc. (IHSAA) and Tupelo Honey Productions, Ball State Sports Link produced the 2022 State Volleyball Championships on Nov. 5. All four matches aired live on Bally Sports Indiana from Worthen Arena. The eight-camera production team consisted of more than 20 Sports Link students, including producer Adam Duwel and director Rachel Henderson—both of whom are sophomores in the Department of Media Sports Production program.
College of Fine ArtsTickets Available for One-Day Performance of The Nutcracker, Dec. 10
For only the second time in Ball State's history, The Nutcracker, featuring dancers from the Department of Theatre and Dance and live music from the Ball State Symphony Orchestra and School of Music choral students will be presented in Emens Auditorium for one day only. The show will be at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 10. A school matinee for Muncie Community School children will be on Dec. 9. All tickets for the Dec. 10 performances are $10 and can be purchased at the Emens Auditorium box office. For more information, call 765-285-1539.
Award and a Television Appearance
- Jon Rees, glass facilities manager and assistant professor of Art, and Catherin Hellsten, instructor of Art, have been awarded the 2022-2023 Madjax + BSU Faculty Fellowship, "Here and There: Questions of Place," The fellowship, focused on community-engaged creative work, will be able to expand upon the vibrancy of the Ball State University space in the Madjax facility and has great potential to connect community members with the shared creative processes.
- Michael Rafter, associate professor of Musical Theatre, recently appeared on "The Late Show with Jimmy Fallon" and "Good Morning America." Professor Rafter is the music director for the hit Broadway production of Funny Girl, starring Lea Michele.
College of HealthSpring Speaker Series Schedule
The College of Heath's 2023 Spring Speaker Series, which will be via Zoom at 1 p.m. (except as noted below is as follows:
- Jan.23 - Matt Moore "End Human Trafficking in Sport
- Feb. 8 - Kalyn Renbarger "Addressing Maternal Mental Health in Delaware County through a Community-University Partnership"
- Feb. 20 -at Noon in person (location TBA): Jerome Kotecki "Development of a Food Quality Screener to Measure Diet as a Vital Sign"
- March 24 -Karrie Osborne "Assessing Nursing Student Engagement in Clinical and Simulation Experiences"
- April 17 - at 1 p.m. in person (location TBA): Matt Harber "Exercise is Medicine"
Links to the sessions, plus additional details, will be included in posts published to the campus Communications Center site close to the dates of these events.
Health Fair Scheduled for Jan. 21 in Muncie
Personal Wellness Assessments Available Through Spring 2023
The Healthy Lifestyle Center (HLC) is offering Personal Wellness Assessments, conducted by a registered nurse, now through Spring 2023. These assessments include personal health history, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, glucose checks, and more. Call the Interprofessional Community Clinics (ICC) at 765-285-4422 to schedule. These assessments are open to all community members, including Ball State University affiliates, at no charge.
College of Sciences and HumanitiesDr. Frankland Retirement Celebration Planned for Dec. 9 at Alumni Center
All are invited to celebrate Dr. Gene Frankland, and his 50-year career as a Political Science professor at Ball State, at a Dec. 9 reception in his honor. The reception will be held at the Alumni Center. Dr. Frankland began teaching at Ball State University in 1972 after receiving his Ph.D. from the University of Iowa. Alumni and friends may RSVP and send well wishes to the department (NQ Room 258) or email them to Austin Bilbrey, administrative coordinator in the Department of Political Science, at atbilbrey@bsu.edu. Register Now.
Planetarium Holds Winter Shows
The Charles W. Brown Planetarium will once again host its celebrated wintertime show, "The Christmas Star," a discussion of potential natural explanations for the Star of Bethlehem. Free public shoes are available on Friday and Saturday during the first two weeks of December.
Election Night Watch Party Held at Student Center
Rinard Orchid Greenhouse Hosted 'Tropics to Table' Event
The Dr. Joe & Alice Rinard Orchid Greenhouse was joined by Ball State's Allègre restaurant, and local business Queer Chocolatier on Nov. 12 for an event about the edible plants in the greenhouse. Visitors enjoyed rainforest treats created by Ball State Culinary students and participated in activities such as an edible plant scavenger hunt.
Teachers CollegeStudent Award and Published Works
- Special Education studentAléthea Kessler was awarded a 2022 Philanthropy Award at the annual Alumni & Benefactors dinner hosted by the Ball State University Foundation during Homecoming Weekend. Ms. Kessler was one of three students honored for promoting philanthropy education across campus and leading philanthropy initiatives that benefit Ball State.
- Dr. Anand Marri, dean of Teachers College, met with Anastasia Morrone, dean of the Indiana University-Bloomington School of Education; Phillip VanFossen, interim dean at the Purdue University College of Education; and Brad Balch, dean at the Indiana State University Bayh College of Education, to discuss the importance of improving education during this critical time. A focus of their meeting was to address staffing shortages, which are affecting many levels of education across school systems. As an outcome of their meeting, the four deans co-authored an op-ed article in the Indianapolis Business Journal to encourage students to become teachers. The op-ed piece was published on Oct. 28.
- Thalia Mulvihill, professor of Social Foundations and Higher Education in the department of Educational Leadership, has published a book "Collaborative Qualitative Research" with Raji Swaminathan, professor at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.
Institutional Research, Analytics, and Data Support
Two Staff Members Promoted to New IRDS Directorships Created for Efficiency
Two newly created positions—reporting to the AVP of IRDS (Institutional Research and Decision Support)—will improve the effectiveness and efficiency of IRDS, clarify roles, and advance the mission of the office.
Those positions are being filled through two promotions as follows:
- Cole Heady: Promoted from Data Quality Governance Analyst to Director of Decision Support. Mr. Heady earned a master's degree in Sociology from Ball State and has worked in IRDS since February 2017.
- Alex Kluber: Promoted from Senior Data Analyst to Director of Institutional Research. Mr. Kluber earned his master's degree in Chemistry from Rice University and has worked in IRDS since January 2020.
Both began their new positions on Oct. 30.
| |
Connect With UsFollow us on social media to stay up to date with current campaigns, news and events
| |
|
|
|
|
