May 28, 2026

     Earlier this month, approximately 2,800 Spring 2026 graduates received their degrees from our University. We celebrated their academic achievements during a memorable Commencement, with more than 27,000 guests on campus across six ceremonies.

     I am grateful to everyone across our campus community who helped make our Spring Commencement a meaningful experience for our graduates and their families and friends. It takes several hundred employees working together in a well-coordinated effort to make Commencement possible three times each year, and many people contribute behind the scenes before, during, and after these ceremonies.

     For this year’s Spring Commencement, staff and volunteers arrived as early as 6 a.m. to prepare for the 10 a.m. main ceremony on the Quad, and some people remained on campus as late as 11 p.m. to support our post-event efforts. Planning for these ceremonies begins well in advance of Commencement Day, and this year’s festivities required additional logistical considerations, including enhanced security measures.

     We also welcomed a distinguished guest—actor, producer, and philanthropist Hugh Jackman—to address our graduates and their families at our main ceremony.

     Because of the collective hard work and dedication of multiple departments and divisions, May 2, 2026, was a memorable day for our graduates and their guests. To all of our Ball State faculty, staff, and volunteers who supported Spring Commencement, thank you.

Sincerely,

Geoffrey S. Mearns
President
Ball State University

We Fly Fest Returns to Campus June 6

We Fly Fest, a free community event, will take place from 4–7 p.m. on June 6 at the Brown Family Amphitheater. The event will feature family-friendly activities, live entertainment, a Student Experience bus tour, food trucks, giveaways, information booths, and more. Parking will be free in all lots and garages during We Fly Fest. Free rides to and from the event will also be available, with community bus stops at The Common Market, 900 W. 8th St., and the POP Shop, 904 E. Willard St. A third stop at Canan Commons in downtown Muncie will begin service immediately following Ball State PBS’ Be My Neighbor Day event, which runs from 1–4 p.m. on June 6. We Fly Fest will be held weather permitting. Learn more about We Fly Fest online.

Classification Architecture and Compensation Project

Have you heard about the Classification Architecture and Compensation project? Want to learn more? People and Culture, working with Huron, is reviewing the University's current classification and compensation practices, defining job families and levels, identifying competencies, and analyzing market data. This work will help inform a more consistent and transparent framework for how roles are structured and supported over time. For more on this project, and updates as the project unfolds, visit this webpage to learn more.

LEAD Academy Graduates 25 Participants in the Spring 2026 Cohort

Twenty-five participants from across the Ball State campus graduated from the Leadership Excellence and Development (LEAD) program this Spring, upon completion of the program on May 6.

Participating in the Spring 2026 cohort were Anthony Hurst, Ashlee Anderson, Carl Werling, Char Hawkins, Chrystal Pearson, Craig Knuckles, Crissy Curry, Emily Hiatt, Emmanuel Cudjoe, Eric Macha, Gabe Winkle, Jerry Pierce, Joan Shellabarger, Julie Ridgway, Katie Mathis, Kevin Jarnagin, Kyla McKillip, Leo Gillis, Michael Twigg, Olivia Vecchiolli, Rebecca Kadinger, Sonya Chapin, Taylor Hubble, Ted Rankin, and Vanessa Lanning.

Designed for current, aspiring, and future leaders at Ball State, the LEAD program was launched in Spring 2021 to align with the University’s Strategic Plan and Ball State’s Professional Development Enhancement program. To date, there have been more than 200 LEAD graduates. Questions about the LEAD program can be directed to Charity Coffman, assistant director of organizational development and learning, at ccoffman@bsu.edu.

Honoring Our Colleagues for Their Longtime Service and Retirement

Ball State would like to recognize many longtime faculty, professional personnel, staff, and service personnel who have retired during this past academic year. The University would like to thank these employees for advancing Ball State’s mission through their talent, dedication, and continued support. A celebration was held for the honorees on April 24. The names of the employees being recognized are listed in this Communications Center post.

Admitted Student Day Welcomes More Than 4,500 Visitors to Ball State  

Ball State’s Admitted Student Day on April 10 welcomed 4,514 visitors, including 1,691 admitted students—the annual event’s largest attendance since 2022. More than a third of those students were visiting the campus for the first time.

Admitted Student Day is an open-house-style event for prospective undergraduate students who have been offered admission to Ball State. Throughout the day, students and their families explored the campus, connected with academic programs, and learned more about student life and the next steps in the enrollment process. They engaged with faculty, staff, and current students. For many attendees, the experience plays an important role in their college decision.

Learn more in this Admitted Student Day highlight video, and get ready to welcome thousands of new Cardinals back to campus for Orientation between June 1 and July 9.

Latest Episode of ‘Our Call to Beneficence’ Features Ball State Graduate Len Forkas

Entrepreneur, author, public speaker, and philanthropist Len Forkas, ’82, is the guest on the May 2026 episode of the monthly podcast “Our Call to Beneficence,” hosted by Ball State President Geoffrey S. Mearns. This episode is available online now. All episodes of the “Our Call to Beneficence” podcast are available on multiple platforms, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify. 

Mr. Forkas summited Mount Everest in May 2025 to raise awareness and support for Hopecam, the nonprofit he founded. Hopecam provides tablets, internet access, and tech support, working directly with schools and hospitals to ensure that children battling serious illnesses stay socially and emotionally connected. Mr. Forkas started Hopecam in 2003 after his son, Matt, was diagnosed with leukemia at age 9. Hopecam has connected more than 5,500 children with more than 95,000 classmates in all 50 states via webcam technology.

On his Mount Everest mission, Mr. Forkas raised more than $860,000 for Hopecam and unfurled a flag in honor of all the children whose lives the nonprofit has touched.

Mr. Forkas earned his undergraduate degree in landscape architecture from Ball State. He credits his time in the Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning with instilling values that continue to guide him today.

Boost Project Management Skills Through Lifetime Learning by Ball State 

This Fall, Lifetime Learning by Ball State will introduce a new series of Project Management Skills Cohorts designed to help students and professionals at every level strengthen their ability to plan, lead, and deliver successful projects. These live, virtual, synchronous sessions with Process Alchemist—a project management and consulting firm—provide practical, hands-on learning experiences that connect theory with real-world application.

Participants will explore essential topics such as project planning, resource management, and continuous improvement, while gaining insight into advanced strategies for managing complex initiatives. Whether new to project management or preparing for PMP® or CAPM® certification, these cohorts offer flexible opportunities to build confidence and capability in a collaborative online environment.

Each course is led by an experienced instructor who brings actionable tools to every session. Course details, schedules, and registration information are available on the Lifetime Learning website.

Provost Immersive Learning Grant Recipients Named

The Rinker Center for Global Affairs announces the inaugural winners of the 2026 Global Impact Awards:

Both were recognized by their peers for their commitment and significant contributions to global education at Ball State.

Finalists for the 2026 awards included Dr. Michael Ndemanu, associate professor of multicultural education; Dr. Winnie Mucherah, professor of psychology; and Matt Lowe, project manager in the School of Journalism and Strategic Communication. 

Resources Available for Faculty Throughout Summer Months

With a laptop and internet access, Ball State faculty members can take advantage of self-paced courses created by the Teaching Innovation Team to enhance their teaching.

New to teaching with Canvas, or seeking a refresher? Enroll in Canvas Foundations. This five-module course demonstrates and encourages practice with the foundational tools available for designing and delivering your courses. 

Interested in honing your skills for teaching online? Enroll in Pillars of Effective Teaching Online. Designed for faculty at all experience levels, this one-hour course guides you through strategies that can be immediately applied to your Canvas course. 

As Ball State faculty and staff work to address accessibility for digital technologies in our courses, consider enrolling in Make Your Canvas Course Accessible. Core modules cover the basics of accessibility, including how it impacts your students, and the eight steps to making a Canvas site accessible. 

For a list of professional development resources, visit the University’s Faculty Development Offerings webpage.

Student Workshops Set for This Summer

The Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning (ECAP) is preparing for our Summer workshops for high school students. These programs provide hands-on experiences in interior design, architecture, landscape architecture, and urban planning, giving students the opportunity to explore design principles and the built environment in meaningful ways. A few of the workshops are already full.

Renovation Continues on Architecture Building

Construction on the Architecture Building continues this Summer. The slanted windows on the south side of the building will be replaced. During this time, the ECAP dean’s office will be temporarily located in the basement on the east side of the building. The office can be accessed through the east exterior entrances. To access the department offices on the upper floors, enter the building using the west entrance.

IDIA Lab Project Displayed at First Thursday Event

Earlier this month, ECAP’s Institute for Digital Intermedia Arts Lab (IDIA Lab) showcased an interactive, gesture-based installation during Muncie’s First Thursday at the ECAP Downtown Studios. The project used a live game engine and depth camera to track movement, allowing participants to control a 3D character in real time. 

ISOM Students Recognized for Strategic Problem-Solving

Logistics and Supply Chain Management students Emily Swanson, Nico Fragante, and Zach Sutherlin earned third place at the Gregg Sherrill Manufacturing Case Competition at IU Indianapolis. Competing against top regional programs, the team analyzed complex manufacturing challenges and presented strategic solutions to industry judges, who praised their knowledge and practical application. The Department of Information Systems and Operations Management also recognizes Lakshika Kuruppuarachchi for coaching the team and Md Shahriar Aziz for his additional guidance.

Fashion Students Showcase Sustainable Designs at Indianapolis Airport

Nine original designs by Fashion Industry Studies students were selected for Recycled Runway, an Earth Day fashion presentation at the Indianapolis Airport. Under the guidance of instructor Audrey Robbins, students worked with airport partners to meet client guidelines while transforming discarded fabrics and clothing into wearable art. Their designs showcased creativity, sustainability, and the forward-thinking talent of Ball State’s emerging designers.

Miller College Honors Alumni Award Recipients

Miller College of Business recently celebrated its 21st Annual Alumni Awards, recognizing outstanding alumni and partners whose leadership, achievement, generosity, and service strengthen the college’s mission. This year’s honorees represent excellence across business, civic leadership, and University engagement. View the full list of recipients and award categories online.

CCIM Closes Spring Semester with Prestigious Honors, Recognitions 

Accolades and a Prestigious Award

Free Fitness Classes Available

The Healthy Lifestyle Center offers free fitness classes through the Cardinal Wellness program. The class locations and schedules for this Summer are as follows:

At Harvest Christian Church, 1010 E Centennial Ave., Muncie (Mondays and Thursdays)

Chair Yoga: 5:15 p.m.

Zumba: 6 p.m.

Resistance Training: 7 p.m.

At Mad Jax, 515 E. Main St., Muncie (Tuesdays and Thursdays)

Line Dancing: 1:30 p.m.

At the Muncie Senior Center, 2517 W. 8th St., Muncie (Wednesdays)

Chair Yoga: 3 p.m.

For more information on any of these classes, contact Dr. Shannon Powers at smpowers@bsu.edu or email the Healthy Lifestyle Center at hlc765@bsu.edu. To schedule an appointment for vital health screenings, call 765-285-1293.

Department of Biology Employee Receives the 2026 A. Jane Morton Award for Staff Excellence in Staff Performance

Dee Hoffman, a full-time research and educational lab animal manager in the Department of Biology, has been named the recipient of the 2026 A. Jane Morton Award for Staff Excellence in Staff Performance. Ms. Hoffman has been employed at Ball State for nine years.

As a research and educational lab animal manager, she oversees the care and management of a diverse animal research and teaching facility, supporting faculty and students through animal husbandry, training, regulatory compliance, and the day-to-day operations that sustain active research programs.

Her impact extends well beyond the Department of Biology. She has served for many years in multiple University roles, including president of Staff Council, and continues to remain actively engaged in campus initiatives and committees.

Awards and a Book Publishing

Student Achievements Celebrated

In alignment with our commitment to a relationship-rich undergraduate experience, University College recently hosted two April events celebrating student achievements.

Additional Opportunities for Faculty and Staff to Build Meaningful Connections with Students

University College’s First Year Experience team invites faculty and staff to participate this Fall in two new opportunities that are designed to build meaningful connections with students. Calling All Cards! engages volunteers in brief, structured outreach to new students, helping humanize the institution and reinforce belonging during a critical point in their transition. Charlie Chats features recorded interviews with faculty and staff sharing their personal stories of perseverance during their first year of college. Questions can be directed to university.college@bsu.edu. 

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