September 29, 2022
Stories of GratitudeThe academic excellence achieved by our students is supported by many people, especially Ball State’s outstanding faculty. I am grateful to our faculty members for sharing their knowledge, experience, and expertise to help prepare our students for fulfilling careers and meaningful lives.
This semester, 81 new full-time faculty have joined our University. These new colleagues have excellent experience and educational credentials. For example, Dr. Claire Grellier, assistant teaching professor in our School of Music, previously taught in Los Angeles at the LA Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (YOLA), the French Conservatory of Music, and at Occidental College. Dr. Grellier completed her Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Miami in May 2020, and is a Buffet Crampon performing artist. Her research interests include interdisciplinary collaborations, performance of underrepresented composers, and music education accessibility.
Some of our faculty members are Ball State graduates, like Emile Dixon ’10. Mr. Dixon graduated from the R. Wayne Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning (CAP)—later earning his Masters of Architecture from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in Tallahassee, Florida. He began his academic career teaching at Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, Alabama.
Mr. Dixon returned Ball State in 2017 to be an instructor of Architecture in CAP. He brings a real-world perspective rooted in his experiences as a practicing architect who was constructing houses with his father and uncle long before he became a Ball State student. Mr. Dixon is grounded in the understanding that architecture impacts communities and people.
Our search for additional exemplary faculty continues. I have already authorized 77 searches to be conducted this academic year for full-time faculty who will join us in Fall 2023—demonstrating that our deans, our provost, and I are committed to recruiting and retaining our faculty of the future.
| |
Sincerely,
Geoffrey S. Mearns
President
Ball State University
| |
Ball State University will host a guest speaker in two of the University’s prominent lecturer series in October. Both lectures are free and open to the public.
Mr. Graham’s lecture is titled “Identity Leadership.” Free tickets for Ball State students, faculty, and staff are available online, at the College of Fine Arts box office in Sursa Hall, or by calling 765-285-8749. Tickets are also available to the general public. The box office at Sursa Performance Hall is open from noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Dr. Levin is a professor of Physics and Astronomy at Barnard College, Columbia University in New York City; an award-winning author of literary fiction; and a fellow at the Ruskin School of Fine Art and Drawing in Oxford. Her work illustrates the movement called “The Third Culture,” which seeks to bridge the chasm between the arts and sciences. Dr. Levin’s lecture at Ball State will explore this crossover and share examples of a new intellectual culture that’s being born.
For additional information, including accommodations to fully participate in this event, contact the Virginia B. Ball Center for Creative Inquiry at 765-285-0114 or email. Tickets will not be issued for this event.
| |
Our Call to Beneficence Podcast
| |
Next Episode of Our Call to Beneficence Features Michael Lewis, Ball State Head Men’s Basketball Coach
Ball State head men’s basketball coach Michael Lewis 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 scheduled for release on or shortly after Sept. 29.
Coach Lewis, a Jasper, Indiana, native and a former college student-athlete, has spent 18 seasons as a college coach, including the last three at UCLA. His experience also includes stints as an assistant coach at Butler University, the University of Nebraska, Eastern Illinois University, and Stephen F. Austin University, plus two seasons as a graduate assistant at Texas Tech under his former college head coach, Bob Knight
As a student-athlete in Indiana, Mr. Lewis was a well-known prep school and college basketball player. He was a standout guard at Indiana University (IU). In his senior year at IU, Mr. Lewis served as team captain and secured third-team All-Big Ten honors. He was named to the Big Ten Conference’s All-Star Team that toured Europe in 1997. He earned his undergraduate degree in Sports Management from IU in 2000 before playing professional basketball for two seasons, both domestically and overseas.
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.
| |
Ball State University Earns Diversity, Inclusion Award For Seventh Straight Year
For the seventh consecutive year, Ball State University has received a Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity, the oldest and largest diversity magazine and website in higher education.
The HEED Award recognizes U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion. As a recipient, Ball State will be featured in the magazine’s November 2022 issue, alongside 102 other institutions. Among its many accolades, INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine selected Ball State for its continued learning and development efforts, as well as the campus’ longstanding commitment to accessibility.
Inclusiveness is one of Ball State’s enduring values, and Institutional and Inclusive Excellence is among five ambitious goals in the University’s strategic plan, “Destination 2040: Our Flight Path.”
The goals of Ball State’s Office of Inclusive Excellence are to ensure that diversity is an integral part of the Ball State University identity, to be a recognized training and development resource for the campus community, and to foster an environment where individuals of diverse backgrounds know they are supported through its advocacy efforts.
| |
| Enrollment Planning and Management
| |
Campus Partners Invited to EPM Symposium Oct. 7, Register Soon
The Division of Enrollment Planning and Management (EPM) is holding an Enrollment Planning and Management Symposium on Friday, Oct. 7, in the L.A. Pittenger Student Center. This event is an opportunity for EPM’s campus partners to learn about efforts currently underway in EPM, and the many changes within EPM. The deadline to register is 5 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 3.
Registration and continental breakfast will begin at 8:15 a.m. in Cardinal Hall B on the second floor of the Student Center. There will be an opening session at 9 a.m., followed by breakout sessions on a variety of topics, such as:
- The basics of financial aid
- Features of the Slate portal
- Course scheduling
- Degree requirements
- Support for 21st Century Scholars
Box lunches will be provided for attendees. Detailed descriptions of each session, and registration information, are available online. Questions about the symposium can be sent to Donna Perry.
| |
Earn Financial Incentives with BeWell and LiveWell Programs
Working Well is committed to helping faculty and staff lead meaningful and engaged lives. One way to accomplish this is through the BeWell and LiveWell incentive programs. Qualifying employees can collect a financial incentive, along with wellness vouchers that can be redeemed at on-campus sites such as the Rec Center, Emens Box Office, and the Athletics ticket box office.
- Employees who participate in the BeWell program earn cash back in their December 2022 paycheck just for completing an annual physical with their primary care doctors and setting up their accounts in Lifeworks.
- Employees who participate in the LiveWell program earn one Ball State voucher, in an amount between $90 and $180, for participating in a variety of wellbeing activities.
Eligible employees are welcome to participate in both the BeWell and LiveWell programs every year. The deadline for submitting documentation for the programs is Oct. 31, 2022. Learn more on the Working Well Website or call HR Solutions at (765) 285-1834.
| |
Ball State Establishes its Employee Emergency Fund
In alignment with Ball State University’s enduring values, the University established a new Employee Emergency Fund. This new fund—made possible because of the generosity of our employees during One Ball State Day 2022—was initiated to provide financial support for Ball State employees in need of temporary emergency assistance caused by a specific event resulting in the loss of housing.
Online applications can be submitted by employees, or their supervisors, in time of need. To learn more about this new fund and how to apply, visit Employee Emergency Fund or call the Human Resources Solution Center at (765) 285-1834.
| |
| 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.
On-Campus Vaccination Clinic Open Each Thursday in September
In September, the vaccination clinic in Ball State’s Interprofessional Community Clinics (ICC) will be open from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. each Thursday, except Thanksgiving Day, for the remainder of the Fall 2022 semester. Visit the University’s Cardinals Care page to learn more.
| |
Special Immunization Clinics
Ball State University and Indiana Immunization Coalition have partnered to host two immunization clinics open to all students, employees, spouses, and dependents.
When: Noon-6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 29.; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 30
Which Vaccines: Flu vaccine, COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson), other vaccines like Meningitis B., etc.
Clinic Location: L.A. Pittenger Student Center Ballroom
What to Bring: Bring your driver’s license and health insurance card or a photo of your health insurance card (If you have one). Patients without a driver’s license and/or insurance card, must fill out a registration form at the event. Students who are not residents of Indiana, should also bring their vaccine records. There is no cost for those without insurance.
Pre-Registration: You are strongly encouraged to pre-register for the immunization clinic using the enrollment code IN65942. To register, click on the link, enter the enrollment code and then select Ball State-9/29, or Ball State-9/30. If you experience trouble with the registration link, please try a different browser (Google Chrome seems to work best). Individuals who do not pre-register online will be required to fill out a paper consent form at the clinic.
| |
Ball State Opens Cardinal Central—New, One-Stop Source for Various Student Services
Cardinal Central—Ball State’s newest integrated, student-focused service center—is a convenient, one-stop location for business processes, resources, and information for students and their families.
Combining services from the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships, Student Financial Services (Bursar), the Office of the Registrar, and Retention and Graduation services, Cardinal Central will have a Fall 2022 virtual opening on Oct. 17—followed by a new space for walk-in services at the L.A. Pittenger Student Center in Summer 2023. Cardinal Central is temporarily located in Room 245 of Lucina Hall for walk-in services, and can be reached by phone at 765-285-2222 or email.
As a part of the campus-wide success and retention plan, Cardinal Central will offer a unique, personalized experience by eliminating barriers and providing accurate information, quick responses, and first-contact resolution, as well as appropriate referrals when necessary. Students will continue to get excellent service under the Cardinal Central umbrella. All emails and phone calls on these topics will receive responses from Cardinal Central staff.
Students will utilize the new Cardinal Central Student Portal to access their information and manage their student business such as updating class schedules, requesting transcripts, managing their eBill, accessing financial aid information, and other additional programs/services for 21st Century Scholars, commuter students, or obtain information about the total withdrawal process.
Cardinal Central will operate under the direction of Dr. Debra Fenty, who comes to Ball State with more than 20 years of higher education experience at Cleveland State University, and under the leadership of Gloria Quiroz Pavlik, director of Enrollment Support Services, who has been with Ball State for 11 years in Student Affairs.
| |
Lifetime LearningLifetime Learning by Ball State Launches with New Course Offerings
| |
Ball State University is expanding its reach and impact along the continuum of human development by serving adults throughout their lifetime educational journey with the University’s Lifetime Learning offerings. Ball State provides a flexible learning community to guide individuals to a fulfilling career and meaningful life.
This new array of micro-credentials, badges, and skill-building programs are collaborative, innovative, and designed for distance learning—allowing learners in all stages of life to interact and learn from each other in ways that make everyone better.
Ball State alumni and mid-career professionals can upskill and qualify for promotion through industry certifications and skills courses such as “Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and Leading Innovation: A Structured Approach.” Community members ready for a new career can re-train for new, in-demand career fields, including Clinical Medical Assisting. Students can prepare to pass licensure exams on the first try.
| |
Ball State University Foundation
Ball State’s Fall Homecoming 2022 Runs Oct. 17-22
Ball State University's Homecoming returns with a week of fun and exciting events, starting Oct. 17 and culminating with the Cardinals' football game against Eastern Michigan University at Scheumann Stadium at 2 p.m. on Oct. 22. Conveniently located next to the Alumni Center and Scheumann Stadium, Reunion Row offers a premier tailgating location in preparation for the Homecoming football game.
With the theme, "Chirp! Chirp! Fever," this is Ball State's 96th Homecoming.
Other Homecoming Week Events:
Learn more about this year's Homecoming celebration.
Nominations Accepted Through Oct. 28 for Ball State’s Top 100 Student Awards
The Top 100 Student Awards, a program established in 2021 by the Ball State University Foundation, will honor 100 outstanding Ball State juniors and seniors who excel in three categories: academic excellence, campus leadership, and community impact. This awards program is also an opportunity to educate students on the importance of staying connected to Ball State once they graduate, while also continuing to grow the culture of Beneficence. Any Ball State faculty or staff member can nominate an eligible student. The nomination period is Aug. 22-Oct. 28, 2022. An event for the top 50 students is scheduled for Saturday, March 25, 2023. Learn more.
| |
Ball State Public MediaBall State PBS Holds ‘Bob Ross-Happy Little Fest’ Oct. 29 at LaFollette Field
Ball State PBS will celebrate two monumental milestones this October: the 80th birthday of iconic art instructor and former “Joy of Painting” host, the late Bob Ross; and the completion of the Ball State PBS station’s 50th year on the air.
As the station that brought the “Joy of Painting” show to the world many years ago, Ball State’s PBS station is hosting the Bob Ross-Happy Little Fest on Oct. 29—Bob Ross’ birthday—at LaFollette Field. Highlights of the fest will include painting workshops, games, Bob Ross trivia, a Bob Ross look-alike contest, a sensory tent to relax to the soothing sound of Bob Ross, and the opportunity to view a specially curated display of numerous original Bob Ross paintings. There will also be a panel discussion featuring Ball State PBS crew and the general manager who worked with Mr. Ross, and much more.
| |
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.
| |
University Athletics
President Mearns Appoints Ken Bothof Interim Director of Athletics
Ball State University President Geoffrey S. Mearns has appointed Ken Bothof to be the interim director of athletics. Mr. Bothof succeeds Beth Goetz, who has accepted a position as deputy director of athletics and chief operating officer at the University of Iowa Athletics Department.
Mr. Bothof has 35 years of administrative experience in college athletics, including nine years at Northern Kentucky University, where he retired as vice president and director of athletics in June. From 2013-17, Mr. Bothof served in that role under President Mearns, formerly the president at Northern Kentucky.
President Mearns has started the process of forming a screening committee to help him select the next full-time director of athletics. He thanked Ms. Goetz for guiding the University’s Athletics Department to new heights both competitively and in the classroom.
| |
R. Wayne Estopinal College of Architecture and PlanningGrant Award, Accolade, and Publication- David Ferguson, dean of the R. Wayne Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning (CAP), and Andrea Swartz, associate dean of CAP, received a $150,000 three-year grant awarded by the Ball Brothers Foundation entitled “CAP@MadJax - Maker Culture Leadership”. The grant supports CAP's footprint at MADJAX, where Ball State CAP students and faculty support design education workshops, creative exploration, prototyping for Ball State students, and developing programs for k-12 youth and adult learners.
- Liberal Education and America’s Promise (LEAP) Indiana honored five faculty members from CAP for this year’s COVID Character Honors program. The nominees were selected by LEAP chapter members, who submitted stories about dedicated colleagues who helped one or more students during the many challenges presented by the pandemic. Honorees are: Christopher Baas, professor of Landscape Architecture; Dr. Cesar Cruz, assistant professor of Architecture; J.P. Hall, assistant professor of Historic Preservation; Dr. Jeremy Merrill, assistant professor of Landscape Architecture; and Susan Tomizawa, associate teaching professor of Landscape Architecture.
- Dr. Jeremy Merrill co-authored an article with Dr. Dongying Li of Texas A&M. The article, titled "Nature deficit and senses: Relationships among childhood nature exposure and adulthood sensory profiles, creativity, and nature relatedness,” has been published in Landscape and Urban Planning.
Miller College of BusinessEntrepreneurial Experience Lecture Series Scheduled for this Fall
Entrepreneurs will share their experiences during a speaker series offered this Fall by the Entrepreneurship Center. The center hosts provocative entrepreneurs—from all walks of life—who are changing the world economically and socially. Each lecture includes a presentation on the entrepreneur's story, lessons learned, and advice. Learn more about the scheduled speakers.
Miller College Hosts Dialogue Days Oct. 18-20
Miller College will host Dialogue Days, an annual professional development and networking event for students, Oct. 18-20. More than 100 alumni will return to campus to participate in more than 50 panel discussions about careers, professional development, and in-depth business topics related to business majors. The Dialogue Days schedule will be posted online in early October. The campus community is encouraged to attend.
Provost’s Immersive Learning RAPID Grant To Fund Immersive Learning Project
Dr. Dina Zemke, associate professor of Property Management, and David Martin, manager of Maplewood Mansion Learning Lab, received a Spring 2022 Immersive Learning Provost RAPID Grant for up to $4,967. The funding will be used for a Fall 2022 immersive learning project in the PMGT 375 Applications in Property Management course. The students will work on identifying short-term housing options for IU School of Medicine students while they are completing clerkships away from their home campuses.
College of Communication, Information, and MediaAccolades- More than 15 Ball State students, faculty, and staff participated this Summer in “The Pitch”—an entrepreneurial skill builder competition led by TechPoint. Two College of Communication, Information, and Media (CCIM) students were on two of the three winning teams.
- Ball State University's College of Communication, Information, and Media (CCIM) is celebrating recent national recognition for two of its standout programs. Ball State’s esports program was named the “EsportsU Collegiate Community of the Year” by Collegiate Sports Management Group. Also, Ball State ranked No. 3 on the “Top 20 Sports Broadcasting Schools” list released by the Sportscasters Talent Agency of America (STAA)—a highly regarded and well-recognized organization backed by famous sports broadcaster Jim Nantz. Ball State has been in the top three of this list since STAA began compiling and releasing its rankings five years ago.
Read more about both accomplishments in this Ball State press release. - During the College of Communication, Information, and Media’s Fall Assembly, eight faculty members were awarded for their contributions to this college:
Chris Flook, senior lecturer of Media: Outstanding Teaching Award
Dr. Gabriel Tate, associate professor of Journalism: Distinguished Researcher Award
Ed Lazaros, professor of Computer and Information Technology, and professor of Career and Technical Education: Community Connections
Michael Lee, associate professor of Media: High Technology
Ashley Coker, assistant lecturer of Communication Studies: Professionalism Award
James Rediger, associate teaching professor of Communication Studies: Inclusive Excellence
Benjamin Strack, assistant teaching professor of Media: Extraordinary Service Award
Dan Waechter, assistant dean of CCIM Curriculum; associate chairperson, and senior lecturer of Journalism: Dean’s Faculty Award
College of Fine ArtsArts Alive Events Schedule Announced
The College of Fine Arts welcomes students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors to enjoy this year’s Arts Alive Series:
- Rings-Revolutions and Repairs, presented by Maria Elena Gonzáles: 6 p.m. on Sept. 29 at Sursa Performance Hall
- Art and Climate Change, presented by Diane Burko (as part of David Owsley Museum of Art’s fall exhibit, Regionalism, Surrealism, and Climate Change), 6 p.m. on Oct. 13 at the Recital Hall (AR217)
- Dining Alone, choreographed by Rosie Herrara and performed by Rosie Herrara and Company, 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 27 at Emens Auditorium
- Cycles of My Being, performed by Lawrence Brownlee, tenor: 7:30 p.m. on April 4 at Sursa Performance Hall
Admission to Arts Alive events is free for all Ball State students.
College of HealthScheduled Presentations
The College of Health is hosting the following two presentations, which are free and open to the public:
- The Transition to Practice of Athletic Trainers: Preparation and Experiences
Speaker: Dr. Stacy Walker
Oct. 20, 2022 at 1 p.m. in a webinar format - Exploring the Crucial Role of School-Based Food Pantries during COVID-19 and Beyond
Speaker: Dr. Christina Doll
Nov. 9, 2022 at 1 p.m. via Zoom
Also, the College of Health’s Fall Poverty Simulation—presented in conjunction with ECI-AHEC, and Facilitated by the Second Harvest Food Bank—will be held 5-8 p.m. on Nov. 15 in the Student Center Ballroom.
College of Sciences and HumanitiesGrants Awards and Published Book- Dr. Jessica Ward, associate professor of Biology, received the RUI: Social Information Use and Communication in Aquatic Embryos award—a $487,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to study embryonic social learning and communication in aquatic vertebrates. The project will advance the understanding of the evolution and development of animal behavior, and provide research opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students.
- The Chemistry Department received a National Science Foundation Major Research Instrumentation’s MRI: Acquisition of a Biomolecular Imaging System for Research and Education award—$184,267 to purchase a state-of-the-art laser-based scanning platform, called Typhoon-5TM. The platform will expand the scope of student training and support at least seven faculty members from Chemistry and Biology departments, plus more than 100 undergraduates each year—including students from the Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities. The principal investigator on this project is Emil Khisamutdinov, associate professor of Chemistry.
- Dr. Richard Petts, professor of Sociology, recently published the book Father Involvement and Gender Equality in the United States, which focuses on issues of family, work, gender, and gender inequality. The arguments presented in this book are valuable for scholars, policymakers, and business leaders who seek to promote gender equality and work-family balance, and parents who are interested in achieving a more egalitarian division of labor within their own families.
Teachers CollegeGrant Awards and New Program- Teachers College has been awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, totaling more than $1.3 million over three years, for its project, “Civic Renewal through Education for Agency” (CREATE). In cooperation with Muncie Community Schools, a team from Ball State—led by co-principal investigators Dr. Anand Marri, dean of Teachers College, and Dr. David Roof, associate professor of Educational Studies—will develop an innovative approach to instruction, student learning, and professional development in civics that will integrate American history, geography, government, and media literacy. Learn more.
- The Department of Educational Psychology received the Project Brilliance: Designing Identification Methods and Programs for Gifted Students with Disabilities award—a $2.6 million grant, awarded over five years, from the U.S. Department of Education-Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Program. As the principal investigator, Dr. Lisa Rubenstein, professor of Educational Psychology, will work with her team over the next five years to shift the current educational narrative for gifted students with disabilities—a narrative that narrowly prioritizes identifying and addressing deficits without recognizing and supporting students' brilliance. The grant will promote equity in gifted programming through unique identification and programming methods and further train school personnel in gifted identification and strengths-based services.
- Fifty incoming Teachers College freshmen participated in the Jump Start program, a new, free first-year transition program. Participants moved in a week early and had the opportunity to learn about their major, the city of Muncie, Muncie Community Schools, and the campus. Learn more.
| |
Connect With UsFollow us on social media to stay up to date with current campaigns, news and events
| |
|
|
|
|
