April 28, 2022
Stories of Gratitude I would like to express my gratitude for our faculty. In addition to being world-class teachers, our faculty members serve as mentors and role models for our students. I've heard several stories of faculty being supportive to students who have experienced personal hardships, including the death of a family member.
And when we all experienced varying degrees of hardships during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially at the pandemic's onset more than two years ago, our faculty members overcame the challenges presented by this public health crisis. They followed necessary health and safety protocols. They adapted to new ways of teaching. Indeed, they excelled in navigating the hardships of the moment. For that, I am very grateful.
As we celebrate Spring Commencement May 7 on the Quad—with ceremonies for the colleges later that day in Worthen Arena—we will confer approximately 3,400 degrees. That means more than 13,000 students will have graduated from our University since the outbreak of the pandemic in March 2020. I am grateful to our faculty for helping these students reach this major milestone.
Our faculty members demonstrate a strong, consistent commitment to our students every day. Because of this, Ball State continues to achieve our vital mission: to empower our students to have fulfilling careers and meaningful lives, and to enhance the vitality of the communities that we serve.
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Sincerely,
Geoffrey S. Mearns
President
Ball State University
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Spring Commencement Set for May 7
Ball State University will host Commencement ceremonies for Spring 2022 graduates on Saturday, May 7. The day will begin with the University-wide main ceremony at 10 a.m. in the Quad. All graduates are encouraged to attend this celebration where degrees will be conferred, President Geoffrey S. Mearns will speak, doctoral candidates will be hooded, and there will be special speakers and performances. Three Commencement ceremonies will be hosted by the academic colleges later that day at Worthen Arena.
The schedule and locations for the day will be as follows:
- 10 a.m.– Main Ceremony, Quad
- 12:30 p.m.– Miller College of Business; and College of Communication, Information, and Media, Worthen Arena
- 3:30 p.m.– College of Fine Arts; and College of Sciences and Humanities, Worthen Arena
- 6:30 p.m.– R. Wayne Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning; College of Health; and Teachers College, Worthen Arena
Volunteers Needed for Spring Commencement
Commencement, one of the largest events on campus each year, is scheduled for Saturday, May 7. We are excited to celebrate this momentous occasion with our graduates. To ensure that our graduates and guests have a memorable experience, we are in need of many campus volunteers to assist with the four ceremonies.
Volunteer opportunities are available during multiple shifts, and include:
- Directing the graduates and guests
- Serving as a point of contact for questions
- Restocking programs
- Placing graduate supplies on chairs before each ceremony
- Assisting with logistics during the ceremonies
Be Part of Day of Beneficence
Ball State's Day of Beneficence will be Saturday, June 11. Alumni and friends are encouraged to perform a service project in their communities. Register to participate in a project by June 1 to receive a Day of Beneficence T-shirt at your service site.
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Our Call to Beneficence Podcast
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New Episode of Our Call to Beneficence Features Ball State President Emerita Dr. Jo Ann Gora
Dr. Jo Ann M. Gora, who served as Ball State University's president from 2004-14, is the guest on the next episode of the monthly podcast Our Call to Beneficence.
The podcast features conversations between host, Ball State University President Geoffrey S. Mearns, and graduates and friends of Ball State who embody the spirit of Beneficence through their professional success and personal service. The episode featuring Dr. Gora is scheduled for release on or shortly after April 28.
Dr. Gora arrived as the 14th president of Ball State in 2004, becoming the first woman to serve as president of a public university in Indiana. During her tenure at Ball State, she oversaw two long-range strategic planning processes. More than $520 million of facilities construction and renovation were completed or undertaken during her presidency, dramatically transforming the campus. At the same time, admissions standards were raised significantly, and numerous academic programs achieved national rankings and recognition.
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 Employee United Way Campaign 2021 Results Released
Results of the annual Ball State Employee United Way campaign for 2021 were recently released:
Total Pledged: $153,297.84
Retiree Contribution: $27,836.87
Active Employee Contribution: $125,460.97
Active Employee Participation Rate: 19%
Matching Funds from Ball Brothers Foundation: $44,755.14 (not included in total)
Community Campaign Total for Heart of Indiana United Way: $1.8 Million
Ball State's Contribution Percentage of Community Total: 11.7%
Your financial gifts and passionate advocacy will help improve the health, education, and financial stability of the Muncie and Delaware County communities.
Watch this Heart of Indiana Celebration Roadshow video, which celebrates some of the individuals and companies that have made a big difference across the five Indiana counties—Delaware, Henry, Fayette, Randolph, and Madison—served by Heart of Indiana United Way.
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Annual Staff Conference Held April 15
In partnership with sponsor Staff Council, University Human Resource Services hosted approximately 130 staff members on April 15 at the annual Staff Conference. This event had not been held since 2019 due to the ongoing pandemic, so this year’s conference was a welcoming event to bring together staff members for professional and personal growth. This conference offers opportunities for staff to receive specialized training on relevant topics, to build comradery and morale among fellow University employees, and to get motivated. This conference is also an expression of deep gratitude and appreciation for University staff.
Biology Lab Tech Susan Calvin Receives A. Jane Morton Award
Ball State's Staff Council awarded Susan Calvin, laboratory technician in Biology, with the prestigious A. Jane Morton Award on April 8. This annual award recognizes a continual demonstration of outstanding efforts of one person to all segments of the University community. Ms. Calvin's nominators spoke highly of her work and dedication to move the Biology Department into the new Foundational Science Building.
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| Ball State's Response to COVID-19
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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 Vaccine Clinic days in May
The vaccine clinic at the ICC offers the Moderna booster shot as well as the Moderna vaccine series. Call Interprofessional Community Clinics at 765-285-4422 with questions.
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Stay current on 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.
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R. Wayne Estopinal College of Architecture and PlanningPBS Program Picks CAP for Mini-Documentary
The College of Architecture and Planning (CAP) has been selected to have a mini-documentary shot for the Dennis Quaid-hosted PBS program “Viewpoints,” which runs on PBS channels nationwide. Topics included in the program will encompass social equity and inclusivity, and design’s role in environmental stewardship. The mini-documentary is in preliminary stages of production. More information, including a release date of the mini-documentary, will be forthcoming.
Institute for Digital Intermedia Arts Creates Permanent Virtual Reality Exhibit
The College of Architecture and Planning's Institute for Digital Intermedia Arts (IDIA Lab) is creating a permanent virtual reality (VR) exhibit for the upcoming "Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks: Wonders of the Ancient World” exhibit at the Ohio History Center in Columbus, Ohio. The concept is to recreate the Adena-Hopewell mounds site in Newark, Ohio, employing the metaphor of a traditional museum diorama—but re-interpreting the form as a four-sided immersive and interactive VR box theater. The exhibit will open late Spring 2022.
Miller College of BusinessApplications Accepted for Chic Innovate
The Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute is accepting applications for Chic Innovate. This group, comprised of women across Ball State University and the local Muncie community, is a two-year program intentionally built as a professional development opportunity through individual learning and mentor relationships. Women join forces over the first year to discover and learn from each other, beginning in late Summer. During the second year, participants are partnered with Ball State students to serve as mentors and advisors investing in the students' personal and professional growth. For more information, contact Candy Dodd.
College of Communication, Information, and MediaAchievement and Accolades
From being named the Television School of the Year by the Indiana Association of School Broadcasters (IASB), ranking four times in The Broadcast Education Association (BEA) awards for Student Creative Achievements, and celebrating One Ball State Day, April was filled with achievements and accolades for Ball State University and its College of Communication, Information, and Media (CCIM):
- Ball State recently claimed “Television School of the Year” honors for a fifth straight year—and seventh time in the last nine years—at IASB’s college competition. Held March 26, the 2022 IASB college competition also featured several individual and group winners from Ball State. Read more about this.
- CCIM placed seventh nationally out of 101 ranked institutions in "2022 Top Winning Overall Programs." Ball State also placed second in the nation in "Top Winning Sports Programs," seventh in "2022 Top Winning Documentary Programs," and 27th in "Top Winning Film & Video Programs." Read more about this.
- CCIM broke its record with One Ball State Day, raising more than $67,000 for the College to contribute to the more than $1 million total in gifts received in that 24-hour period.
College of Fine ArtsUniversity Singers to Perform at Carnegie Hall in May
The University Singers have been invited to perform, along with the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir, at Carnegie Hall in New York City on May 29. The invitation was extended before the COVID-19 pandemic, and the singers are finally able to make the trip to New York City for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Members of the Muncie and East Central Indiana communities are invited to attend a version of the Carnegie Hall set on May 22 in Ball State’s Sursa Hall. Tickets for the performance at Sursa Hall are available here.
CFA Applauds Ball State's Village Revitalization Plan
The College of Fine Arts looks forward to working with Ball State and Muncie's city leadership now that the University Trustees approved the development of a memorandum of understanding for a transformational Village revitalization project. The project includes a new performing arts center supporting the work of the Department of Theatre and Dance.
College of HealthNews BriefsCollege of Sciences and HumanitiesAssociate Lecturer Receives MAC Outstanding Faculty Award for Ball State
Dave Largent, associate lecturer of Computer Science, has been named Ball State’s institutional winner of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Outstanding Faculty Award for Student Success. This award celebrates Mr. Largent’s commitment to Ball State students and his focus on supporting student success both in and out of the classroom. Read more about this award.
Ball State Students Participate in Simulation of European Union
Eleven Ball State University students joined students from 16 other universities and colleges at the 28th annual Midwest Model European Union (EU), hosted by Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind. During the March 31-April 2 simulation of EU decision-making on current and near-future issues, students played the roles of EU and national officials from 22 of the current 27 EU member states. The participating Ball State students are current and recent members of Dr. Gene Frankland’s Political Sciences courses. Ball State’s Department of Political Science provided the administrative and financial support that made possible the participation of the University’s students in this intercollegiate simulation of European Union politics.
Research in Alaska to Receive Funding from National Science Foundation
Drs. Kevin H. Wyatt, associate professor of Biology, and Allison R. Rober, associate professor of Environmental Biology, have been awarded $199,895.00 from the National Science Foundation for their research project at the Bonanza Creek Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) site in Alaska. This project, which will begin Summer 2022 and continue through 2025, will study northern peatlands to better understand future carbon emissions and feedback loops associated with climate change. This project will provide research experience for Ball State undergraduate students from under-represented groups, and train graduate students.
Teachers CollegeAccolades and Published Writings- Dr. Janay Sander, professor of Educational Psychology, received the 2022 National Association of School Psychologists Presidential Award for Exceptional Service to Children and School of Psychology.
- U.S. News & World Report released the 2023 Best Graduate Schools rankings and Ball State's Teacher's College moved from No. 91 in 2022 to No.76 in 2023. Teachers College's graduate programs now rank in the top 17 percent of all institutions of education across the nation. Ball State also ranks 22nd in Elementary Teacher Education and 26th in Curriculum and Instruction. Read more about this.
- Dr. Lauren Mims, assistant professor of Educational Psychology, published a book chapter, “‘I Feel Like This School Is Changing the Best Parts of Who She Is’: Reflections from Black Educators on Their Experiences Developing Growth-Promoting Environments for Black Girls during Early Childhood” in African American Young Girls and Women in PreK-12 Schools and Beyond (Advances in Race and Ethnicity in Education, Vol. 8).
- Dr. Lisa Rubenstein, associate professor in the Department of Educational Psychology, and Dr. W. Holmes Finch, George and Frances Ball Distinguished Professor of Educational Psychology, published a manuscript co-authored with current and former educational psychology doctoral students Jenna Thomas and Dr. Lisa Ridgley. “Exploring Creativity's Complex Relationship with Learning in Early Elementary Students” is published in the journal Thinking Skills and Creativity.
- Dr. Thalia Mulvihill, professor of Social Foundations of Education Higher Education in the Department of Educational Leadership, published a co-edited book, Oral Histories and Qualitative Methodologies: Educational Research for Social Justice. Dr. Robin Phelps-Ward, assistant professor of Higher Education, and Dr. Kendra Lowery, associate dean for Equity and Engagement and associate professor in Educational Leadership, contributed chapters.
Honors CollegeHonors College Names Dr. Emily Rutter as Associate Dean
Dr. Emily Rutter, associate professor of English, will become associate dean of Honors College, effective July 1, 2022. Dr. Rutter is assistant director of African American Studies, and was the 2019-2021 Ball Brothers Foundation Honors College Faculty Fellow. She is the author of Black Celebrity: Contemporary Representations of Postbellum Athletes and Artists (University of Delaware Press, 2021), Invisible Ball of Dreams: Literary Representations of Baseball behind the Color Line (University Press of Mississippi, 2018), and The Blues Muse: Race, Gender, and Musical Celebrity in American Poetry (University of Alabama Press, 2018). Dr. Rutter is co-editor of Revisiting the Elegy in the Black Lives Matter Era (Routledge, 2020) and author of numerous scholarly essays and book chapters.
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