News for Ball State Faculty and Staff
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Stories of Gratitude
September 30, 2021
I am grateful to everyone on our Ball State University campus who has received a COVID-19 vaccine. I am also grateful to everyone who continues to comply with our University’s mask protocol and our other health and safety protocols, regardless of their vaccination status.
It’s because of you that we have been able to provide a vibrant on-campus experience for our students, faculty, and staff. Our Ball State community has resumed in-person classes, events, and activities. We are reminded that every moment we are given to interact face-to-face on our beautiful campus is an opportunity—and a gift.
As of this week, 77 percent of our full-time employees are fully vaccinated. That figure includes 87 percent of our professional employees and 85 percent of our faculty. Approximately 70 percent of our eligible on-campus students, including more than 75 percent of those living in our residence halls, have confirmed they are fully vaccinated.
I encourage everyone who hasn’t been vaccinated to do so as soon as possible to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Please continue to abide by our University’s health and safety protocols, which are in keeping with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). And continue to wear a mask while inside any building on campus. Remember our Cardinals Care Pledge—our promise to take care of ourselves, other Cardinals, and our campus community.
Sincerely,
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Ball State Response to COVID-19 Indoor mask protocol in place at Ball State
All Ball State University employees, students, and campus visitors—irrespective of their vaccination status—are required to wear a mask while inside any University building, with very limited exceptions as described in our FAQ.
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 October
Ball State’s COVID-19 vaccine clinic days and hours at the Health Professions Building in October are Wednesdays and Fridays, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Walk-in appointments are welcomed. Alternatively, make an appointment at ourshot.in.gov and select “DCHD BallState WRiversideAve MVAX.”
COVID-19 Dashboard
Ball State University’s COVID-19 Dashboard is updated regularly with information collected from IU Health, third-party on-campus testing sources, and through self-reports by both students and employees at the University. See the dashboard.
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For Your Benefit
2022 Benefits Open Enrollment Information Coming
We are approaching that time of year when employees review their insurance needs and make enrollment changes as needed. The benefits open enrollment period—Oct. 26 through Nov. 11, 2021—is when employees will make selections for the 2022 calendar year. Employee Benefits will again provide a recorded presentation to view at your convenience and will continue to offer personal enrollment assistance. Brochures, containing more information, will be mailed to employees’ homes in October.
Join LifeWorks
Ball State University is re-launching a new and enhanced LifeWorks Employee Assistance Program platform and App, available now. LifeWorks offers support 24/7, 365 days a year, through a confidential employee assistance program (EAP), including free short-term counseling for Ball State employees and their family members. LifeWorks also offers wellbeing articles, CareNow online programs, podcasts, tools and resources. Set up a profile today! Employees can log into their Lifeworks account using Ball State’s Single Sign On (Ball State username and password). LifeWorks is also available 24/7 by phone: 888-456-1324. Call for free, confidential support and counseling for you and your family members.
Fall Professional Development Opportunities Available
Visit Human Resources Learning and Development to view upcoming learning sessions for professional development opportunities. In addition to what’s offered from our Ball State University subject matter experts, Ball State employees can access free professional development resources from Academic Impressions and Shafer Leadership Academy, as members. Questions about upcoming offerings can be directed to Breanne Holloway, assistant director of Organizational Learning and Development, at bholloway1@bsu.edu.
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Upcoming Events
Fall Homecoming 2021 runs Oct. 18-23, with in-person events
Ball State University’s Fall Homecoming returns with a week of fun and exciting in-person events, starting Oct. 18, culminating in a Cardinal football game against Miami University at Scheumann Stadium at 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 23. Ball State will celebrate 95 years of Homecoming. This will be the University’s first in-person Homecoming since Fall 2019, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While all events will be in-person, some will be accessible on multiple social media platforms. Learn more about this year’s Homecoming celebration.
Ribbon-cutting ceremonies on campus
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University News
R. Wayne Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning
Students apply creative design solution to lawn maintenance
Members of the Ball State University student chapter of the American Institute of Architects completed a project on the oval lawn between Noyer Complex and Whitinger Business buildings. The project was for MAZ—a design exhibit showcasing how existing lawns can be maintained through a creative design solution. Watch a short video about this eye-catching lawn design on Ball State’s campus.
Grants Received
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- Janet Fick, associate lecturer of Construction Management, received a $576 Provost Immersive Learning Rapid Grant for the pilot project, “Renovation of Residential Structures,” to work with the Indiana Audubon Society to analyze, prepare recommendations, and propose designs for an upgrade to an existing residential structure at the Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary in Connersville, IN. During the same semester, students will work with ecoRehab of Muncie on a similar renovation project.
- Scott Truex, department chair of Urban Planning, received a $2,800 Building Better Neighborhoods Grant for the project, “Muncie Westside Neighborhood Studies.” Urban planning students will engage with community partners and residents to facilitate the development of a neighborhood plan.
- J.P. Hall, assistant professor of Historic Preservation, received an $850 Building Better Neighborhoods Grant for the project, “Preservation Policy and Design in the Old West End.” Professor Hall will be providing research, support, and direction to creating a Conservation District in the Old West End in Muncie.
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Miller College of Business
Entrepreneurship Center Receives Grant
Ball State University was selected as a recipient of a $50,000 grant, from Indianapolis-based Elevate Ventures, to develop an elective cross-disciplinary course connecting Computer Science, and Entrepreneurship and Innovation majors—enabling student-led ventures to move from ideation into prototyping and end user-testing. Read Inside Indiana Business’ story on this.
‘Startup Weekend Muncie’ Returns
The Entrepreneurship Center is hosting its third “Startup Weekend Muncie,” Oct. 8, 9, and 10 at Accutech, 115 S. Walnut St., in Muncie. Mentors, investors, co-founders, and sponsors who can offer exceptional insight will be at this event. Students are also welcome to attend Startup Weekend Muncie. Email Krystal Geyer with questions or to get involved.
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College of Communication, Information, and Media
Awards and Accolades
The College of Communication, Information, and Media (CCIM) announced the 2021 winners of CCIM’s outstanding faculty and alumni awards:
Dr. Kevin Moloney: Outstanding Teaching Award
Dr. Chris Davison: Distinguished Researcher
Dr. Kathy Denker: Distinguished Researcher
Terry Heifetz: Community Connections
Tim Underhill: High Technology
Ben Strack: Professionalism Award
Dr. Maria Williams-Hawkins: Inclusive Excellence
Dr. Beth Messner: Inclusive Excellence
Mary Spillman: Extraordinary Service Award
Dr. Domenic Caristi: Dean's Faculty Award
Steve Bullington: Stewardship Award
Ball State becomes official partner of The Esports Combine™
The College of Communication, Information, and Media (CCIM) is working with Harena Data and Indiana Sports Corp, as Ball State University recently became an official partner of The Esports Combine™—the world’s premier collegiate recruiting event for esports athletes. The Combine, which returns this year Oct. 15-17, will include educational roundtables, leading industry professionals speaking on panels, and partnerships with the nation’s biggest universities to recruit players.
Also: the Ball State varsity esports team kicked off its first-ever Rocket League season Sept. 1, sweeping both Western Michigan and Toledo, 3-0.
Grammy, Oscar winner Tiara Thomas visits Ball State as part of Letterman lecture series
As part of the David Letterman Distinguished Professional Lecture and Workshop Series, Ball State University graduate Tiara Thomas—winner of a Grammy and an Academy Award earlier this year—met with students, faculty, and staff on Sept. 20 at the University’s Sursa Performance Hall. Dr. Gabriel Tait, assistant professor of Journalism, moderated the event, “A Conversation with Tiara Thomas.”
During Ms. Thomas’ visit to campus, she worked with faculty and students from the College of Communication, Information, and Media; and the College of Fine Arts to workshop, record, and document original song productions. Ms. Thomas graduated from Ball State in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Telecommunications. Read more about Ms. Thomas, her career and her college days, in this Ball State online magazine article.
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College of Fine Arts
Arts and entertainment take center stage this semester
Students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors can enjoy a number of College of Fine Arts events and programming this semester, including:
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College of Health
The College of Health Interprofessional Community Clinic is available to the Ball State and Muncie communities and offers a wide range of services in counseling, speech pathology, and audiology. The clinic also houses the Healthy Lifestyle Center, and serves as a COVID-19 vaccination site. Learn more about these offerings and register for the online patient portal to schedule appointments.
The Healthy Lifestyle Center is hosting the Wednesday Wellness Workshops series. Upcoming topics are benefits of exercise, tobacco education, and nutrition assistance. These workshops will be held in-person, at noon and again at 5:30 p.m. each Wednesday, in the Welcome Home Suite, or via Zoom.
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College of Sciences and Humanities
Ball State faculty receives Historic Preservation Fund grants
The U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service’s Historic Preservation Fund administered by the Indiana DNR, has awarded 14 federal Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) grants for projects in Indiana communities, including three to Ball State University. Christine Thompson and Kevin Nolan of the Applied Anthropology Laboratories will receive $49,845 to conduct archaeological surveys at Loblolly Nature, and $49,992 to conduct archaeological surveys at Chain O’Lakes State Park. Public History Assistant Professor Wendy Soltz will receive a $20,000 for an ongoing project to identify, document, research, and map historic synagogues throughout Indiana to help list eligible buildings in the National Register of Historic Places.
Assistant professor appointed as fellow
Dr. Max Felker-Kantor, assistant professor of History, has been appointed a fellow at the Institute for American Thought at Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis (IUPUI). Fellows help advise on ideological trends and provide talks in the series, “Why Cities?”.
VSTOP gets grant
Under the leadership of Bowen Center Managing Director, Chad Kinsella, The Indiana Voting System Technical Oversight Program (VSTOP) has received a new grant to continue work alongside the State of Indiana promoting integrity in state and national elections. VSTOP is co-directed by Dr. Jay Bagga, professor of Computer Science, and Dr. Bryan Byers, professor of Criminal Justice and Criminology.
New interdisciplinary undergraduate degree available
The College of Sciences and Humanities now offers an interdisciplinary undergraduate bachelor of science degree in Data Analytics to complement our master's degree in Data Science. Data analytics, data science, and “big data” have recently seen tremendous growth across industries. Our three program tracks—computational data analytics; environmental systems analytics; and social and behavioral data analytics—are designed to meet the high-market job demand for experts in processing, utilizing, and communicating vast amounts of data. These programs encompass coursework from Computer Science, Criminal Justice and Criminology, Geography and Meteorology, Mathematical Sciences, Natural Resources and Environmental Management, Political Science, Psychological Science, and Sociology; and they mark the college’s first truly interdisciplinary degrees. Learn more.
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Teachers College
Burris Laboratory School uses IMPACT model of learning
Burris Laboratory School has adopted the “Investigation, Metacognition, Passion, Actualization, Curiosity, and Togetherness” (IMPACT) model of learning for the 2021-22 school year. The IMPACT program has a hands-on approach, plus student-centered, individualized, project-based learning experiences led by teacher-facilitators. The Muncie Star Press published an article about this recently.
Ball State staffer becomes published author
The Department of Educational Leadership’s Administrative Coordinator, Sarah Hollowell, has recently published her first book, A Dark and Starless Forest—a young adult contemporary fantasy. The book is available online.
Research Spotlight
Dr. Emily Hoffman, Assistant Professor in the Department of Early Childhood, Youth, and Family Studies, recently published an article, The Problem with Pigeons in Research and Practice: Communicating Early Literacy Essentials and Foundations in Curriculum and Instruction in the journal, Literacy.
Dr. Kate Shively, Assistant Professor in the Department of Elementary Education, and Dr. Linda Taylor, Assistant Professor in the Department of Early Childhood, Youth, and Family Studies, recently published an article, Clay, Cardboard, and Cameras: Playing in a Media Arts Environment in International Journal of Early Years Education.
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Honors College
Honors Undergraduate Fellowship Program Accepting Proposals
Proposals for Spring 2022 funding are welcomed; they must be received by Oct. 31, 2021. The Honors Undergraduate Fellowship program supports partnerships of Honors College undergraduate students and faculty mentors. Such collaborations have mutual benefits: the student moves into previously unexplored academic areas, and the faculty member has the unique opportunity to share the enjoyment of research and learning. For additional information, contact honors@bsu.edu.
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University Libraries
University Libraries offers non-sectarian Contemplation Space in Bracken Library
Ball State’s University Libraries has established a non-sectarian Contemplation Space, in Bracken Library, that is designed for quiet personal contemplation, reflection, meditation, prayer, and relaxation. The space—the first of this kind on Ball State’s campus—is available to visitors of Bracken Library during the library’s hours of operation. Furnished with cushions, mats, and a privacy screen, the space is meant to be a place where one can step away from hectic schedules and time demands, to rest the mind, and renew focus. Provision of the space is part of the University Libraries’ commitment to enriching a campus culture of inclusion, diversity, and equity.
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2021 Outstanding Faculty Award Winners
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Every year, Ball State presents awards to select faculty members who have made outstanding contributions to the University community. The award winners are announced at Fall Opening Convocation, held on Aug. 20 this year. The 2021 winners are:
Excellence in Teaching Award: Ms. Holly L. Dickin, Department of Mathematical Sciences; and Dr. Nilou Assar Lueke, Department of Psychological Science
Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award: Dr. Kristin M. Perrone, Department of Counseling Psychology, Social Psychology & Counseling
Outstanding Creative Endeavor Award: Ms. Susan Koper, Department of Theatre and Dance
Rawlings Outstanding Distance Education Teaching Award: Dr. Kesha K. Coker, Department of Marketing
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