Dear Colleagues:     

     During our Fall Convocation on August 18, I told my colleagues that, because of their dedication and determination, our University has emerged from the pandemic better and stronger.

     I shared several statistics to demonstrate this point.

    Additionally, our University is also increasing our graduate enrollment. One new strategy is our new partnership with Coursera, a leading online learning platform. Beginning this Fall, Ball State and Coursera will offer flexible, online graduate degree programs in Computer Science and Data Science—offerings that allow us to respond to workforce needs in Indiana and across the country.

     During my convocation speech, I shared other examples of how Ball State has emerged from the pandemic better and stronger. You can view my Fall Convocation remarks online.

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

Sincerely,

Geoffrey S. Mearns
President
Ball State University

Ball State University honored more than 1,100 graduates on July 22 at its Summer Commencement ceremony for the Class of 2023. The program was held at Worthen Arena on Ball State’s campus. As part of a time-honored tradition, Ball State selected an outstanding faculty member to address its Summer graduates. David L. Largent, senior lecturer of Computer Science in the College of Sciences and Humanities, delivered his speech, “Find Your Calling, or at Least Let it Find You.” Read more in this Ball State press release. 

Ball State University will hold a grand opening on Sept. 19 for the Brown Family Amphitheater—a new outdoor performance and gathering space on campus that the entire community can enjoy. Located between Park and Pruis halls and between Noyer and Woodworth complexes, this grand lawn venue is an impressive performance facility for artists and audiences.

Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony will be a free jazz concert featuring the Ball State Jazz Ensemble with vocalist and Ball State graduate Tatum Langley, ’21. Additional details about the grand opening and jazz concert can be found online. Also, a preview community concert featuring singer/songwriter/guitarist Don McLean will be held at the amphitheater on Sept. 2.

The Brown Family Amphitheater is named in honor of Charles W. Brown, a 1971 Ball State graduate and longtime University supporter. Read more in this Ball State press release.

A grand opening for Cardinal Central—Ball State University’s newest integrated, student-focused service center—will be held at 3 p.m. on Aug. 29 at its offices on the first floor of the L.A. Pittenger Student Center. All are welcome to attend. Part of the campus-wide success and retention plan, Cardinal Central is a convenient, one-stop location for business processes, including financial aid, registration and bill pay; resources; and information for students and their families. Cardinal Central will operate under its director, Dr. Debra Fenty, and Gloria Pavlik, director of Enrollment Support Services for Cardinal Central.

The 2022-2023 Ball State women's tennis team was named an Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) All-Academic Team after earning a 3.6 grade point average on Ball State's 4.0 scale. This is the 23rd time in the program’s 27-year history that the team has received this recognition. Also, eight squad members received individual ITA Scholar-Athlete accolades for the second-straight season. Read more in this Ball State Athletics press release.

Additionally, the 2022-23 Ball State men's tennis team was named an ITA All-Academic Team after earning a 3.5 grade point average on Ball State's 4.0 scale. This marks the 11th consecutive year the Cardinals have earned the team honor. Six members of the squad received individual ITA Scholar-Athlete accolades. Read more in this Ball State Athletics press release.

Dr. Pablo Borboroglu, 2023 winner of the Indianapolis Prize, will be a guest lecturer at Ball State at 11 a.m. on Oct. 3 in Sursa Performance Hall. The lecture is free and open to the public, but tickets are required for entry to the event. Tickets can be reserved online.

Dr. Borboroglu was recognized for his work to protect the ocean and coastal habitats of penguins in numerous countries. He is the co-founder and leader of the Global Penguin Society, an international conservation coalition for the world's penguin species, and founder and co-chair of the International Union for Conservation of Nature Species Survival Commission Penguin Specialist Group. The Indianapolis Prize—part of an initiative of the Indianapolis Zoological Society, Inc.—includes an award of $250,000 to an animal conservationist who has successfully advanced the sustainability of an animal species or group of species. This award is widely viewed as the Nobel Prize for animal conservation.

Ball State University President Geoffrey S. Mearns was named to IBJ Media’s Indiana 250, a list of Indiana's most influential business leaders. President Mearns listed in the organization’s Not-For-Profit & Education category. The Indiana 250 honorees are impactful leaders who make a difference locally, regionally, or statewide across business, philanthropy, the arts, government, and not-for-profits.

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