On December 2, Ball State University will host alumnus David Letterman in conversation with WNBA Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark. The conversation is part of the David Letterman Distinguished Professional Lecture and Workshop Series, which was established by our University in 2008.
Based on the distribution of all available tickets for this event, everyone—from our students, faculty, and staff to our friends and neighbors in the community—is excited for Mr. Letterman and Ms. Clark’s upcoming appearance in Emens Auditorium.
I am grateful to my colleagues who have made this opportunity possible for our campus community. As executive director of presidential events and operations, Stephanie Arrington played a lead role in initiating this event and coordinating details and logistics for Mr. Letterman and Ms. Clark’s upcoming conversation. Stephanie’s hard work and dedication in executing this project reflect her passionate commitment to our University.
I am also grateful to Bob Myers and his staff at Emens Auditorium. They have worked diligently this month to facilitate the distribution of tickets for this event. As gracious hosts, they have also been responsive to the accommodations that are necessary to facilitate this special event on the Emens stage.
As all of you know, Mr. Letterman is our University’s most famous graduate. He is a native Hoosier and a national icon, and Ms. Clark has quickly become a beloved Hoosier and national star. I am honored that we can host them for what is sure to be a memorable occasion—and a distinct milestone—for our University.
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Geoffrey S. Mearns
President
Ball State University
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Fall Commencement Scheduled for Dec. 14 in Worthen Arena
Ball State University’s Fall Commencement will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14, in Worthen Arena. There will be one ceremony that recognizes all graduates. Worthen Arena will open at 9 a.m. The ceremony is not ticketed, so graduates can invite as many guests as they want. Fall Commencement will be livestreamed on the Fall Commencement webpage. A window to view the livestream will appear on that webpage on the day of the ceremony. Those interested in serving as an ambassador should complete this form by Monday, Dec. 2. For questions, email Angel Tuttle, assistant director of commencement and university events, at atuttle@bsu.edu.
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Campus Closes Early on Nov. 27 for Thanksgiving Break |
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Early Closure on Nov. 27 Planned
As an expression of gratitude to employees who remain on the job up until the start of the Thanksgiving holiday break, Ball State is offering an early closure on Wednesday, Nov. 27, with payment for the full shift provided, contingent on the criteria outlined in this Ball State email. All professional, staff, and service employees working this day may leave four hours early and still be paid for the full shift. Employees not scheduled to work this day, as well as those who have chosen to take the full day off, are ineligible.
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Reminder: 2024 Days of Beneficence—Dec. 26, 27, 30, 31
Once again, Ball State University is providing its employees Days of Beneficence—a meaningful gesture of appreciation for the hard work and dedication of faculty and staff. Our 2024 Days of Beneficence will occur Thursday, Dec. 26; Friday, Dec. 27; Monday, Dec. 30; and Tuesday, Dec. 31.
On Monday, Dec. 23, campus closes at 3 p.m., and Tuesday, Dec. 24, is a president’s holiday. Wednesday, Dec. 25, and Wednesday, Jan. 1, are observed holidays. For additional information, the University’s official holiday calendar is available online (click the “holiday” tab) along with the 2024-2025 holiday memo.
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Our Call to Beneficence Podcast |
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Latest Episode of ‘Our Call to Beneficence’ Features Jeffrey D. Feltman, Former U.S. Diplomat and Ball State Graduate
Jeffrey D. Feltman, ’81, a former U.S. diplomat with 30-plus years of service to America, is the guest on the November 2024 episode of the monthly podcast “Our Call to Beneficence,” hosted by Ball State President Geoffrey S. Mearns. This episode is available now.
Mr. Feltman’s career has been rooted in promoting peace and security, mitigating conflict when possible, protecting America’s interests, and looking out for U.S. citizens overseas. His career highlights include serving as United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs (2012-18) and as U.S. Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa (2021-22). As the U.S. ambassador to Lebanon, Mr. Feltman was instrumental in getting approximately 15,000 Americans to safety in 2006 as Lebanon was getting bombed as part of a full-scale assault.
Long before this native Midwesterner found himself in the Middle East and other parts of the world or in the role of a U.N. leader, Mr. Feltman was an undergraduate student looking for his passion and his purpose. Ball State helped put him on that path, he said in a recent magazine interview.
An Honors College graduate, he earned his bachelor of science degree (majors in history and art) and an honorary doctor of laws degree at Ball State. Later, he earned his master of arts degree in law and diplomacy at Tufts University’s Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.
All episodes of the “Our Call to Beneficence” podcast are available on multiple platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.
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Division of Online and Strategic Learning |
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Online Graduate Student Commencement Celebration Planned
The Division of Online and Strategic Learning (DOSL) will hold a Commencement celebration for online graduate students from 8-9:15 a.m. on Dec. 14, in the David Letterman Communication and Media Building lobby. All are welcome to attend.
The celebration will recognize the educational achievements of online students and provide an opportunity to connect with students with whom you may have had only limited virtual interactions. The event will include a continental breakfast, mortarboard decorating, a selfie and TikTok booth, and chair massages. RSVP by Dec. 6 to Cathy Cunningham, DOSL’s administrative coordinator, at cecunningham@bsu.edu.
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Tuition Remission Available for Eligible Employees, Their Spouses, and Their Dependent Children
Ball State supports employee professional development with an excellent tuition remission benefit for eligible employees, their spouses, and their dependent children. A request for tuition remission must be completed every semester after registering for classes. The online request form is available via the ServiceNow system and can be accessed through the PEB website. The deadline to submit requests for tuition remission for Spring 2025 classes is 5 p.m. on Jan. 6. Review the eligibility guidelines and instructions. Questions can be sent to HumanResources@bsu.edu or call 765-285-1834.
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Office of Community Engagement |
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Find Volunteer Opportunities on New Webpage
Looking for ways to give back to the community? Check out the Office of Community Engagement’s new volunteer resources page. It offers specific volunteer opportunities and a list of organizations that always need help.
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Enjoy a Cardinals Basketball Game In Person, Support Our Teams
Great seats are available to catch the Cardinals’ men’s and women’s basketball teams at Worthen Arena this season. Visit ballstatesports.com or call the ticket office at 888-BSU-TICKET.
Upcoming Men’s Basketball Games
Saturday, Dec. 21 vs. Evansville - 2 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 31 vs. Anderson - 2 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 7 vs. Miami (OH) - 7 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 11 vs. Bowling Green - 2 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 18 vs. Toledo - 2 p.m.
Upcoming Women’s Basketball Games
Sunday, Dec. 1 vs. South Dakota State - 1 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 5 vs. Davidson - 11 a.m.
Thursday, Dec. 19 vs. Anderson - 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 4 vs. Central Michigan -1 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 8 vs. Eastern Michigan - 6:30 p.m.
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Office of Immersive Learning |
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Fall 2024 Provost Immersive Learning Grants Awarded
Recipients of Fall 2024 Provost Immersive Learning Grants are:
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Jake Son of the Department of Construction Management and Interior Design, for “Enhancing Historic Building Performance and Sustainability at Maplewood,” Pilot Grant: $19,992
- Kelly Fischer of the Department of Psychological Sciences, for “Shape,” Pilot Grant: $26,845
- Cresta Hancock of the Department of Educational Studies, for “Nature's Classroom: A Place-Based Approach to Teacher Preparation,” Pilot Grant: $7,955
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Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning |
Grant and Student Awards Earned
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Sarah M. Angne Alfaro, associate professor of interior design, is part of a scholarly research team that received a $1 million grant from Templeton Religion Trust titled “Spiritual Understanding and Architecture: A Multi-method, Empirical Investigation Across Religious and Non-religious Populations.” Over the next three years, the team will use biometrics—such as eye tracking, skin temperature, and heart rate—to explore how sacred architecture communicates spiritual information to religious and non-religious people.
- In the national 2024 Charles E. Peterson Prize competition, historic preservation students—under the mentorship of Jonathan Spodek, professor of architecture—earned two prestigious awards. Their work on the J. Irwin and Xenia Miller House in Columbus, Ind., won first place, securing a $10,000 prize. Also, their work on the Wheeling School House in Eaton, Ind., received an honorable mention and a $1,000 prize.
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Construction management teams, comprised of ECAP students, did well at the Associated Schools of Construction Regional competition. The Electrical and Design-Build teams earned second place, while the Preconstruction team earned third place. Additionally, one of the Electrical team members was named MVP.
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Miller College of Business |
Stock Markets and Investor Health Research Earns Media Attention
A research paper written by Dr. Chang (Anna) Liu, assistant professor of finance, and Dr. Maoyong Fan, professor of economics, has been published in The Financial Review and was recently highlighted in this Wall Street Journal article. Additionally, the research has garnered attention from other media outlets—including the Irish Times, and MarketWatch—and financial industry leaders such as Pareto Asset Management. Learn more about the significant findings in this research paper, titled “Stock Market and the Psychological Health of Investors,” in this Ball State press release.
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College of Communication, Information, and Media |
CCIM Hosts Career & Internship Fair, Other Networking Opportunities for Students
The College of Communication, Information, and Media (CCIM) hosted numerous events on Nov. 14:
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CCIM hosted its annual career and internship fair in the Letterman Building. At the fair, students met with professionals in the fields of communication, information, and media. Also, students were invited to have their resumes critiqued by successful alumni volunteers and have a professional headshot taken.
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CCIM’s Department of Media hosted the Ball State News Conference, where news professionals met with students and spoke about various topics related to the industry's current landscape.
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The School of Journalism and Strategic Communication hosted its annual national awards luncheon honoring this year’s Schranz lecturer, Johnny Smith Jr.—Roche Diagnostic Corporation vice president of communications—and the National Writing Award Winner, Georgea Kovanis of the Detroit Free Press. Following the luncheon, both honorees met and shared insight with students.
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Art Instructor Exhibits Work at Tulane University
Kalleen Chilcote, instructor of art, exhibited work as part of the 30 Years of Newcomb Art Printmaking exhibition in the Carroll Gallery at Tulane University in New Orleans. In conjunction with that exhibition, she was invited to participate in the alumni exchange portfolio, “Waterline,” which will tour in 2025-26. Also, she participated in the 2024 Mid America Print Conference, "From the Ashes,” at Kansas State University, Oct. 2-6, and showed a print as part of the juried portfolio, Man vs. Insect.
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Fitness Classes Available
The Healthy Lifestyle Center continues to offer free fitness classes:
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- Zumba and strength and conditioning classes are held on Mondays and Thursdays at Harvest Christian Church at 1010 E Centennial Ave. in Muncie. Food and childcare will be provided at no charge. The Zumba class starts at 6 p.m., and the strength and conditioning class starts at 7 p.m.
- The walking class at the Muncie Mall starts at 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Those who wish to participate should meet near Buyer’s Market and Finish Line.
- The yoga class starts at 11 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Health Professions Building, Room 113.
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Learn more by reviewing this fitness class flyer.
All Healthy Lifestyle Center services are free for everyone. To learn more about other services offered by the Healthy Lifestyle Center—or to schedule an appointment for services, such as personal wellness assessments, dietician consultations, and more—call 765-285-1293 or email hlc765@bsu.edu.
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College of Sciences and Humanities |
Charles W. Brown Planetarium at Ball State Celebrates 10-Year Milestone
This month, Ball State University’s Charles W. Brown Planetarium—the largest planetarium in Indiana—is celebrating 10 years of providing education, engagement, and amazement.
The Brown Planetarium opened its doors on Nov. 8, 2014, and has since welcomed more than 180,000 guests. The planetarium team presents free public shows, offers hands-on activity stations onsite, and facilitates scheduled school and group visits. Additionally, Brown Planetarium’s staff have produced several full-length full-dome programs, created original astronomy content for global distribution, and worked with dozens of community partners on unique projects and special events.
When the once-in-a-lifetime total solar eclipse passed over Indiana on April 8, Brown Planetarium telescopes provided eclipse views to an online audience of millions worldwide.
Astronomy SLAM! Taps into Student Creativity
The Charles W. Brown Planetarium held the fifth annual Astronomy SLAM! competition on Nov. 2. A full planetarium audience heard from four Ball State students who presented planetarium visuals in creative ways.
This year’s Astronomy SLAM! award winners:
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Astronomy Slam Champion: Wilhelmina Opferman – “Voyager and the Golden Record”
- Best Energy Award: Jessica DeCaire – “Animals: The Original Astronomers”
- Most Visually Engaging Award: Cole Grimes – “Building Earth 2: Mission Mars Isn’t That Far Away”
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Most Thought-Provoking Award: Daniel Noble – “Project Mogul: How a Piece of Military History Still Affects Us”
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Several Honored at CECL’s 2024 Civic Learning Symposiums
The Center for Economic and Civic Learning (CECL) at Ball State honored the following people during the 2024 Civic Learning Symposium CECL hosted Sept. 27-28:
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Educators Heather Veatch from East Washington Academy and Allen Kidd from Muncie Central High School received awards for the advancement of civic education.
- Indiana Rep. Elizabeth Rowray, also of the Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce, was recognized for her leadership in advancing civic engagement.
- Mary and Cornelius Dollison of the Whitely Community Council received the Leadership in Civic Education and Public Service Award.
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Early Years Initiative Grant Received
Teachers College faculty, in partnership with the Whitely Institute on Community-Engaged Teacher Preparation, received an Early Years Initiative grant from Early Learning Indiana. Over three years, Early Childhood, Youth, and Family Studies (ECYFS) Chair Jill Walls; Special Education Chair Kim Zoder-Martell; and ECYFS Professional Learning Specialist Wilisha Scaife will coordinate efforts in providing support for infants and toddlers in the Whitely Community, thanks to Lilly Endowment Inc.
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Honors College Earns National Recognition
The National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC) recognized Ball State University’s Honors College as one of the inaugural cohorts of the 2024-25 Partners in Peace by The National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC). The Partners in Peace initiative recognizes NCHC member institutions for the achievements of their honors students and faculty in creating, implementing, and assessing curricular and co-curricular offerings that illuminate the work of Alfred Nobel and recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize.
This initiative encourages college students to explore the lives and actions of past and present peace laureates to better understand the leadership strategies required to build peaceful communities. Beyond studying these figures, the initiative challenges students to think globally and act locally. Through hands-on, co-curricular activities, students apply insights gained from laureates to make a positive impact on their campuses and surrounding communities.
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Library Instruction Available for All Ball State Courses
University Libraries offers in-person and online library instruction for a wide range of information and digital literacy skills—skills that increase student success. After attending library instruction sessions, nine out of 10 students reported being better able to complete course assignments. When faculty schedule instruction, librarians collaborate with them to identify the skills students need to succeed in their specific courses. Then, they develop an instruction session designed to give students more competency in that area. Faculty members can schedule an instruction session for the upcoming Spring semester.
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