January 18, 2021
Dear Colleagues:
Ball State University defines inclusiveness—one of our enduring values—as a commitment to respecting and embracing equity, inclusion, and diversity in people, ideas, and opinions. This definition recognizes the full gamut and broad spectrum of experiences and differences among all people.
To that end, we strive to create a campus climate and culture where every person is welcomed, respected, and valued. We understand that each of us at Ball State, regardless of our position or title, has the opportunity—and the obligation—to honor our institutional commitment to inclusiveness.
Unity Week, a popular campus celebration that dates back to 1978, illustrates our University’s dedication to inclusiveness and diversity. This celebration includes a series of social, cultural, and educational activities that foster greater understanding—and that bring people together.
It is fitting that this year’s Unity Week festivities began on January 17th, the official observance of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. In his powerful I Have a Dream speech, Dr. King shared his vision of a future in which “the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners” could “sit down together at the table of brotherhood.” Ball State’s Unity Week serves as a metaphorical table of humanity—with room for all who value and pursue diversity and inclusive excellence.
Dr. King inspired each one of us to remove a brick from the walls that divide us, and use those bricks to build the foundation of a unified community that welcomes all people. He embraced inclusiveness, and he hoped that individuals and institutions would do the same. Accordingly, I am grateful to Ball State’s Multicultural Center for coordinating Unity Week each year, and to the campus partners and student organizations that cooperate with the Multicultural Center on this important event.
Below are a few more stories that I hope you will enjoy and then share. Let your friends and colleagues know how “We Fly” at Ball State.
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Sincerely,
Geoffrey S. Mearns
President
Ball State University
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Upcoming 'Our Call to Beneficence’ episode features retired chairman and CEO of UPS, Ball State alumnus, Kent C. 'Oz' Nelson
Kent C. “Oz” Nelson, retired chairman and CEO of United Parcel Service (UPS) and Ball State alum, is the guest in the next episode of the monthly podcast “Our Call to Beneficence,” hosted by Ball State University President Geoffrey S. Mearns.
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. The episode featuring Mr. Nelson is scheduled for release on or shortly after Jan. 26.
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.
Mr. Nelson was inducted into the Miller College Hall of Fame in 1990 and received the Ball State Distinguished Alumni Award in 1991. In 2011, he received the Ball State President’s Medal of Distinction.
And in 2018, the University and Miller College dedicated the Kent C. “Oz” Nelson Logistics and Supply Chain Management Center for Excellence in honor of Mr. Nelson’s remarkable career, and in recognition of his vision for the program and his lasting effect on Ball State students and alumni.
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.
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Ball State named a top school for entrepreneurship studies
Ball State University offers one of the best courses of study for students aspiring to become entrepreneurs, according to The Princeton Review® and Entrepreneur magazine.
The Princeton Review, the education services company known for its annual college and graduate school rankings, once again selected Ball State for its list, “Top 50 Undergraduate Schools for Entrepreneurship Studies for 2022.” Ball State has now earned recognition on The Princeton Review’s “Top Undergraduate Entrepreneurship Programs” list the last five years.
This project, now in its 16th year, annually names the top 50 undergraduate and graduate schools for entrepreneurship studies. Ball State ranked 29th in the nation on this year’s Undergraduate list.
In 2021, The Princeton Review also tallied sub-lists that name the schools among the 100 overall that ranked highest within their regions: Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, West, and International. Ball State is ranked No. 9 on the Midwest Undergraduate list.
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Unity Week at Ball State offers free social, cultural, educational events for all
Ball State University’s Multicultural Center has announced the schedule of events for Unity Week 2022, which started Jan. 17—the official observance of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. Unity Week is a popular on-campus celebration dedicated to unifying the Ball State community through enlightened social, cultural and educational events. All events are free and open to students, faculty, staff, community members, and media.
The first day’s events included an MLK Jr. celebration and an MLK Unity March. The week’s MLK Speaker will be Brandon Pope, an award-winning television host, media critic and columnist. He will speak at 8 p.m. on Jan. 18 in Ball State’s Pruis Hall. Mr. Pope, a 2014 Ball State graduate, is president of the Chicago chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists. He has served as a board member of “My Brother’s Keeper,” which is dedicated to closing opportunity gaps for youth of color in the Greater Chicago area. The event featuring Mr. Pope is co-sponsored by the University’s Multicultural Center, the College of Communication, Information, and Media, and the Office of Student Life.
Find the full schedule of Unity Week 2022 events online. Unity Week 2022 is co-sponsored by Ball State University’s Asian Student Union; Black Student Association; College of Communication, Information, and Media; Collective Coalition of Concerned Clergy, a community-based organization in Muncie; plus Ball State’s Housing and Residence Life; Latinx Student Union; Office of the President; Office of Student Life; Spectrum; Student Center Programs; and University Libraries.
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New digital archive exhibit chronicles history of Ball State's Multicultural Center
The Ball State University Libraries’ Archives and Special Collections, in collaboration with the University’s Multicultural Center, recently debuted the new freely-accessible online digital exhibit, The Ball State University Multicultural Center: Ambassadors of Campus Inclusion and Diversity.
Drawing heavily from primary sources, the exhibit provides a detailed and compelling history celebrating the Multicultural Center’s mission to advance inclusion and diversity at Ball State.
Visitors can explore written accounts, historical photographs, news articles, videos, and other documents that highlight the people, resources, programs, events, decisions, ideas, and initiatives that have shaped the Multicultural Center’s sustained success.
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Gift to Ball State helps establish Thomas E. and Karen Bumb Lauer Distinguished Professorship
Ball State University is the grateful recipient of a generous gift that will enable the University’s College of Sciences and Humanities to continue attracting and retaining outstanding faculty in the natural sciences. The gift, donated by Ball State University graduates Thomas E. and Karen Bumb Lauer, led to the establishment of a Distinguished Professorship which bears their name. Ball State’s Board of Trustees approved the naming of the Thomas E. and Karen Bumb Lauer Distinguished Professorship during its Dec. 17 meeting.
Dr. Thomas “Tom” Lauer is a distinguished professor emeritus who taught courses in Ball State’s Department of Biology. He established the University’s Aquatic Biology and Fisheries Center, and is a past winner of the University’s Outstanding Researcher Award and Outstanding Faculty Award. Ms. Lauer has enjoyed a life-long relationship with Ball State. She is also a supporter of the Discovery Women’s Philanthropic Leadership Group.
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Guardian Scholars program wins award for work with students who have experienced foster care
Ball State University’s Guardian Scholars Program won a 2021 Aging Out Institute (AOI) Award, which celebrates the effective strategies of organizations that work with youth who age out of foster care. The Guardian Scholars Program was one of four winners in AOI’s “Small Organization/Program” category, and one of eight winners overall, AOI announced recently.
The Guardian Scholars’ award includes a prize of $30,000, which will be used to support the program’s continued efforts to provide holistic support for students who have experienced foster care. The Guardian Scholars program relies on local grants and donations to fund its scholarships and supportive services for students. Learn more about the program and year-round donor opportunities.
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World-renown artists to perform at Ball State as part of the Arts Alive series
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Ball State graduate Julie K. Griffith joins University's Board of Trustees
Julie K. Griffith joined the Ball State University Board of Trustees on Jan. 1, 2022. She replaces Jean Ann Harcourt, whose term ended Dec. 31.
Ms. Griffith, a Ball State graduate, is the current executive vice president for strategy, partnerships, and outreach for the Indiana Innovation Institute. Before joining the Indiana Innovation Institute, she served as the vice president of public affairs for Purdue University, and worked with Duke Energy in a variety of roles—including vice president for government affairs and foundation relations. Before that, she worked for the Texas-based energy company Spectra Energy and its predecessor companies. Ms. Griffith also has an extensive background in marketing, business development, and government and regulatory affairs.
She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science at Ball State in 1979. Now, Ms. Griffith serves on the Ball State Foundation board and the Dean’s Advisory Council for the University’s College of Sciences and Humanities. She has previously represented Ball State as a Statehouse intern, London Center participant, Above & Beyond Campaign Development Committee member, Bold Campaign Regional Subcommittee member, Indianapolis Alumni Club board member, and as a National Philanthropy Council member.
In addition to her work with Ball State, Ms. Griffith currently serves her community through boards of the International Center (chair), Conexus, Indiana Society of Washington, D.C., and Indiana Society of Chicago (president). In 2016, she was selected as a “Woman of Influence” by the Indianapolis Business Journal.
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Indiana governor picks Ball State graduate Brian Rockensuess to lead state agency
Ball State University graduate Brian Rockensuess has been selected by Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb to be the new commissioner of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM).
Commissioner Rockensuess began his tenure Dec. 13, 2021. He has worked at IDEM for the past eight years, including the last five as the chief of staff. Prior to being named chief of staff, he worked as the agency’s director of governmental affairs and was the business, agricultural and legislative liaison. Before working at IDEM, he worked for the Indiana State Senate.
The appointment of Commissioner Rockensuess fills the vacancy left when Bruno Pigott stepped down Dec. 3 to take a position in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Mr. Rockensuess had been acting commissioner following Mr. Pigott’s departure from the post.
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