March 30, 2023

     I am grateful for our talented educators in Ball State’s Department of Theatre and Dance within the College of Fine Arts. Our Theatre and Dance students—many of whom go on to fulfilling careers on the stage, screen, and behind the scenes—receive a first-class education from our gifted professors and instructors, including Michael Rafter, associate professor of Musical Theatre, and Sutton Foster, instructor of Theatre. Both are award winners on Broadway and proud Ball State Cardinals. Mr. Rafter won an Emmy for Music Direction in 1994. Ms. Foster won a Tony Award in 2002 and 2011 for acting.

     For almost a year, Mr. Rafter has been serving as music director/supervisor for the Broadway revival of the musical, “Funny Girl.” Jennifer and I saw “Funny Girl” during our trip to New York City earlier this month, and the show was terrific. I also visited with Ms. Foster at a private event I attended during that same trip. I am delighted that she will be returning to our campus this Spring to teach again.

     Ball State is fortunate to have Mr. Rafter and Ms. Foster in our Department of Theatre and Dance. I am grateful that they, and our other excellent faculty and staff in their department, share their talents and knowledge in ways that enhance the educational experience of our students.

Sincerely,

Geoffrey S. Mearns
President
Ball State University

Actor David Arquette to Speak at Ball State as Part of the Letterman Lecture Series, April 10

Actor, producer—and former pro wrestler—David Arquette will be the next featured speaker in the David Letterman Distinguished Professional Lecture and Workshop Series at Ball State University.

Mr. Arquette’s lecture is scheduled for 7-8 p.m. on Monday, April 10 in Pruis Hall.

Among his many artistic achievements, Mr. Arquette is widely known for his role in the “Scream” movies. He has resumed his Scream role as “Dewey Riley” in the recent relaunch of the horror classic. He has also produced successful television series such as “Cougar Town” and “Celebrity Name,” plus the docu-series “They Call Me Magic” about NBA basketball legend, Earvin “Magic” Johnson.

The David Letterman Distinguished Professional Lecture and Workshop Series was established in 2008 through a generous gift from Mr. Letterman, a 1969 Ball State graduate. The series brings major business, media, and academic figures to campus to engage students in discussions about the latest issues in communications, emerging media, and cultural forces shaping our society. The College of Communication, Information, and Media (CCIM) coordinates this series.

One Ball State Day 2023 is April 5; Please Plan to Give During this Fundraising Event

This year’s One Ball State Day (OBSD)—Ball State’s annual award-winning 24-hour online fundraising event—will take place April 5. Gifts can be made between midnight and 11:59 pm EST that day at oneballstate.bsu.edu.

Alumni, students, faculty, staff, and supporters of Ball State are welcome to make gifts in support of a specific school, college, department, or area of choice. OBSD gifts are tax-deductible. Additionally, gifts made on this special day could also earn matching donation funds. Those who give are asked to share their OBSD gifting experiences. One way is to post about it on social media with #OneBallState and encourage friends to give as well.

While Ball State celebrates all its donors year-round, OBSD is a special day for giving and highlighting the University’s impact on people and communities throughout the world.

Learn more about One Ball State Day 2023 and how to give.

Ball State Names Interim Provost and Interim Dean of Teachers College

Ball State University President Geoffrey S. Mearns has appointed Dr. Anand Marri, dean of Teachers College, as the University’s interim provost. And Dr. Marri has appointed Dr. David McIntosh as interim dean of Teachers College. Dr. Marri and Dr. McIntosh will step into their interim roles on April 3.

The interim provost appointment comes just prior to the upcoming departure of Provost Dr. Susana Rivera-Mills, who will become president of Aurora University. A Ball State reception was held for Dr. Rivera-Mills on March 29.

In addition to his service as dean of Teachers College, Dr. Marri has extensive experience as an academic administrator and professor at the University of Rochester and at Teachers College, Columbia University. He also served for four years as the vice president of Outreach and Education at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

Dr. McIntosh has been the associate dean for Faculty Affairs and Strategic Initiatives at Ball State since July 1, 2019. He also served two years as chair of Ball State’s Department of Special Education. Overall, Dr. McIntosh has been a faculty member in Teachers College since 1999.

Ball State University Announces Appointments of Two College Deans

Two new academic deans will join Ball State University this Summer.

Ball State President Geoffrey S. Mearns has appointed Dr. Cathy L. Z. DuBois as the next Bryan Dean of the Miller College of Business (MCOB), and Dr. James Buss as dean of Honors College (HC).

When Dr. DuBois’ appointment begins July 1, 2023, she will succeed Dr. Stephen Ferris. Once Dr. Buss becomes HC dean June 19, 2023, he will succeed Dr. John Emert, who is retiring from the University on May 31.

Dr. DuBois will join Ball State after a distinguished career at Kent State University’s Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship in Kent, Ohio, where she most recently served as associate dean for graduate and online programs. Additionally, Dr. DuBois enjoyed 20 years as a faculty member at Kent State University. 

Dr. Buss is currently the dean of the Honors College at Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, Ky., where he also serves as interim associate provost. He has more than 15 years of professional experience in higher education, including the last seven years as a founding dean of two new honors college programs at Salisbury University and Northern Kentucky, respectively.

President Mearns has expressed his gratitude to Dr. Ferris and Dr. Emert for their service and dedication.

Read more about incoming HC dean, Dr. Buss, in this Ball State University press release.

Read more about incoming MCOB dean, Dr. DuBois, in this Ball State University press release.

Stay Current on the Latest Statehouse News

The Office of Governmental Relations & Industry Engagement 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.

Next Episode of Our Call to Beneficence Features Ball State Cardinals’ Athletics Director, Jeff Mitchell

Ball State’s Director of Athletics, Jeff Mitchell, 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 available now.

Mr. Mitchell was formally introduced during a Feb. 6 program at the Ball State Alumni Center. As Ball State's director of athletics, Mr. Mitchell oversees athletic programs competing in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) and the NCAA. He will also continue to implement the imperatives set forth within “Onward,” the Ball State athletics department’s comprehensive strategic plan, as well as guide the department’s “Ball YOU” program, an easily accessible platform to empower student-athletes in their name, image, and likeness (NIL) exposure and opportunities.

He has more than two decades of experience in higher education and athletics administration. Most recently, Mr. Mitchell served as deputy director of athletics at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Miss., since 2018. He is the co-author of a textbook entitled “Sport, Ethics and Leadership,” published in 2017. He earned his Bachelor of Arts (2001) and Master of Business Administration (2003) from Millsaps College in Jackson, Miss. He earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Mississippi School of Law (2005).

All episodes of the Our Call to Beneficence podcast are available on multiple platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Subscriptions and reviews are also encouraged to help grow the audience for this podcast.

Upskilling opportunities for faculty, staff, alumni, students, and the community available through Lifetime Learning at Ball State

Lifetime Learning—Ball State’s new non-credit division focused on helping learners prepare for an increasingly dynamic world of work—offers flexible competency-based credentials and skill-building programs. These programs prepare students for advanced education or professional licensure, provide faculty and staff with enhanced leadership and technology skills, and get community members career-ready in fields from construction to business and healthcare. Short-term learning experiences and career coaching differentiate non-credit offerings from semester-based courses and provide timely, targeted learning.

Highlights include:

Learn more in this Spring course catalog.

Ball State Discovery Women’s Philanthropic Leadership Group Celebrates 20th Anniversary; Changes Name and Awards Grants

The Ball State Discovery Women’s Philanthropic Leadership Group, which has funded 62 projects totaling over $1.3 million to date, is celebrating its 20-year anniversary.

Looking ahead to its next 20 years—and in keeping with the enduring values of Ball State’s Beneficence Pledge—the Ball State Discovery Women’s Philanthropic Leadership Group announced its new name: Women of Beneficence at Ball State University. The announcement was made at the organization’s 2023 annual meeting. Also at the meeting, members awarded three new grants to Ball State’s Dysphagia Clinic, Virtual Reality Courtrooms, and Muncie’s First Freedom School.

The Dysphagia Clinic, led by Mary Ewing, will meet growing healthcare needs while developing Speech Pathology student leaders. Brandy Rocheleau’s Virtual Reality Courtrooms project will greatly enhance learning, empathy, and ethical decisions by criminal justice and criminology students. Muncie’s First Freedom School, led by Wilisha Scaife, will put culturally responsive books into the hands of Black students in the Whitely community.

Each March, the Women of Beneficence group awards grants to outstanding Ball State professor-led projects that engage students, enhance the Ball State and Muncie communities, and follow our Beneficence Pledge. Learn more about the grants, the Women of Beneficence, and its membership, by visiting the Women of Beneficence site.

CAP to Host Public Tours of Alley House—An Affordable, Net-Zero Energy, Sustainable Duplex Developed and Designed by CAP Students

R. Wayne Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning (CAP) will host public tours of the Alley House, an affordable two-family, net-zero energy home that generates at least as much energy onsite as it consumes on an annual basis using sustainable building techniques and renewable energy technologies.

There are several opportunities to tour the Alley House April 4-18; View the online schedule for specific tour dates, times, and activities, before visiting, for the latest information. CAP invites the Ball State campus community to tour the duplex on April 15 during “Ball State Day at the Alley House.” This special day will run 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the site of the duplex, 201 N Temple Ave. in Indianapolis. In addition to Alley House tours, the April 15 event will feature music, activities, and guest speakers—including Ball State President Geoffrey S. Mearns and CAP Dean David Ferguson.

For the last two years, CAP faculty mentors and students have been working on this duplex to compete in the international 2023 U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon Build Challenge®. CAP students have done research, design, and related analysis, and are helping construct The Alley House. 

Learn more on CAP’s Solar Decathlon site. 

Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute Accepting Applications for Two Programs

The Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute (ELI) is currently accepting applications for its Chic Innovate and GEN:i  programs.

Chic Innovate is for female professionals at Ball State University and our local community members. All participants will engage in relevant topics to build confidence in the workplace, learn professional and personal balance approaches, become well-versed in tools applicable for students and professionals alike, and grow in their leadership, creativity, innovative mindset, and problem-solving skills. Click here to apply. For additional information, contact Candy Dodd, ELI associate program director.

GEN:i is an original program designed with student leaders in mind. This program brings together a select group of highly motivated students to increase their skills in innovation and leadership to build upon entrepreneurial creativity. GEN:i  was created for those students looking to take their college experience up a notch, to get out of their comfort zone, and set themselves apart as they prepare for their future. The program is open to any Ball State undergraduate or graduate students. For additional information, contact Charity Coffman, ELI associate program director.

Awards and Accolades

Tenor Lawrence Brownlee performs April 4 in Sursa Hall

As the final Arts Alive series performance of the season, Lawrence Brownlee, tenor, will present his new recital, Rising, in Sursa Performance Hall at 7:30 p.m. on April 4. The concert features works from the Harlem Renaissance and by young African-American composers. Accompanied by pianist Kevin Miller, Lawrence Brownlee is a leading figure in opera and a voice for diversity and activism in the industry.

Cultural Entrepreneur and Ball State Graduate, Mali Jeffers, Giving Lecture at Ball State

Ball State graduate Mali Jeffers, ’04—co-founder of GANGGANG, a cultural development firm—will give a lecture in Pruis Hall at 5 p.m. on April 11. This lecture, titled "Is DEI Over?," is free and open to the public. Mali Jeffers was the guest on the February 2023 episode of the monthly podcast Our Call to Beneficence,” hosted by President Geoffrey S. Mearns. All episodes of the Our Call to Beneficence podcast are available on multiple platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.

Several Concerts, Productions and Exhibits Scheduled for April

Throughout April, there will be several concerts, exhibits, and productions featuring students, including:

Details on these events, as well as information on the special exhibition, A Wild Story: The David and Sarojini Johnson Print Collection, are available on the College of Fine Arts calendar.

Healthy Lifestyle Center Hosting Workshops in April

The Healthy Lifestyle Center (HLC), housed by the College of Health Interprofessional Community Clinics, is hosting several workshops and events in April.

What’s on Your Plate Workshop – Particular Eaters

Memory Café (co-hosted by Lifestream Services)

What’s on Your Plate Workshop – Convenience Foods

Event for Exploring Law School Opportunities Planned for April

Ball State students from all departments are invited to join Ball State's Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology for a Law School and Graduate School Q&A session at 11 a.m. on April 4 in the Music Lounge in the L.A. Pittenger Student Center. Following the Q&A will be a career fair from noon-3 p.m. The fair will provide students with opportunities to talk with their peers, alumni, and professors about their options and opportunities after graduation.

Earlier this month, the College of Sciences and Humanities partnered with Indiana University (IU) McKinney School of Law to hold an alumni panel led by an IU Law School admissions representative. This event was an opportunity for students to hear alumni and practicing attorneys discuss how to be successful in the field.

Student History Conference Held at Ball State Had High Attendance

The Student History Conference held last month at Ball State’s L.A. Pittenger Student Center featured presentations from students from Ball State, out-of-state universities, and Canada. The conference was attended by over 80 high school history students from Delta High School and Frankton High School. One of the most well-attended panels was the public history internship showcase which highlighted Ball State student work with NFL Films, Minnetrista, and the Indiana Archives and Records Administration. 

Teachers College to Offer Tuition Reduction for Federal Government Employees, Their Spouses and Dependents, through Federal Academic Alliance

Teachers College has joined the Federal Academic Alliance to offer online graduate-level degrees, certificates, licenses, and courses at a reduced cost to 2.1 million Federal Government employees, their spouses, and dependents. The alliance offers Ball State's in-state tuition rates—up to a 30-percent tuition reduction—for all out-of-state (non-Indiana) residents who qualify under the Federal Academic Alliance agreement. Ball State Teachers College is also extending this scholarship to Federal Government retirees. Learn more.

Lilly Endowment Teacher Creativity Fellowships Awarded to Three Indiana Academy Faculty Members 

Three Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities instructors were recently awarded Lilly Endowment Teacher Creativity Fellowships. David Haynes, assistant lecturer of English, John Marsh, associate lecturer of History, and Sean Scott, associate teaching professor of History, all had proposals accepted for this program, which supports educators throughout Indiana by providing resources for them to take time for meaningful renewal. Learn more.

‘BSU is Better With You’ Event Held in February

The first event in the BSU is Better With You initiative was held Feb.18 at the Union Missionary Baptist Church. The initiative seeks deeper relationships with traditionally under-recognized communities in Muncie. Learn more.

Ball Brothers Foundation Honors College Faculty Fellow 2023-2025 Selected

Dr. Gabriel Tait, associate professor of Journalism and Distinguished Faculty Fellow For The Office Of Inclusive Excellence, has been selected as the 2023-2025 Ball Brothers Foundation Honors College Faculty Fellow. Dr. Tait will develop an HONR 199 course to examine the tentacles of Black Culture in America through humanities, social sciences, and the arts, considering both the history and current challenges. Students in his HONR 390 colloquium, entitled “Murals, Community Engagement, and Visual Empowerment through Public Art,” will analyze the social and cultural impact of public art—locally and regionally.

Find Journal Articles More Easily with LibKey Nomad

University Libraries has purchased a new tool, LibKey Nomad, that makes it easier than ever to find journal articles to which University Libraries subscribes. When downloaded to a browser, the Nomad icon appears on publishers’ webpages, Wikipedia, and other places used to search for information. Clicking on the icon gives immediate access to the article or a link to access it through Interlibrary Loan.

To take advantage of this tool, download the Nomad plugin. Faculty may want to encourage their students to do so as well.

How to download Nomad:

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