June 22, 2022
Dear Friend:
At Ball State University, we are committed to ensuring that our University is an affordable place to learn, to live, and to work for all members of our campus community.
Recently, by approving the budget for the next academic year, our Board of Trustees decided not to increase room, board, or parking fees for a second consecutive year. This commitment, despite rising inflation, further secures Ball State’s position as one of the most affordable institution in the Mid-American Conference and the state of Indiana.
I am also grateful to our Board for its support of several other items within the budget, including modest salary increases for eligible employees and, for a third straight year, the approval of Days of Beneficence in December—a tangible manifestation of our gratitude for our employees’ sustained commitment to our mission.
After two years of significant uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, our budget remains stable. This stability is due to the continued fiscal discipline demonstrated by our faculty and staff and the support of our dedicated Board. I am grateful to everyone in our University community—our students, faculty, staff, graduates, and friends—for their continued commitment to our enduring values.
Below are a few more stories that I hope you will enjoy and then share. Let your friends and colleagues know how “We Fly” at Ball State.
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Sincerely,
Geoffrey S. Mearns
President
Ball State University
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Ball State University, Ivy Tech Launch NEST Dual Enrollment Program
Ball State University and Ivy Tech Community College in Muncie have launched a dual-enrollment partnership to offer students a transitional pathway to a bachelor’s degree.
Navigating the Enrolled Student Transition (NEST) is a dual-enrollment program in which select high school students who have applied to Ball State, but have not yet been accepted, can enroll at Ivy Tech in Muncie and live in Ball State residence halls. NEST students will live in residence halls alongside other Ball State students and can participate in most campus community activities. This provides a positive incorporation into campus life.
The inaugural cohort of NEST students will begin the program in the Fall 2022 semester. Participating students will take general education and pre-requisite courses at Ivy Tech’s Muncie campus and take one class per semester at Ball State. Through the NEST program, students will be connected to a support team—including Ivy Tech transfer advocates and Ball State transfer advisors, student success coaches, and academic advisors.
Students who complete the NEST program with a GPA of 2.5 or better will complete their Indiana College Core requirements and earn guaranteed admission to Ball State, where they will continue their academic journey by achieving a two-year associate’s degree from Ivy Tech and, ultimately, a four-year bachelor’s degree from Ball State.
Read more about the dual-enrollment program in this Ball State press release.
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Next Episode of Our Call to Beneficence Features Ball State President Emeritus Dr. John E. Worthen
Dr. John E. Worthen, who served as Ball State University’s president from 1984 to 2000, is the guest on the next episode of the monthly podcast Our Call to Beneficence. This episode is scheduled for release on or shortly after June 29.
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.
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.
More About Dr. John E. Worthen and His Impact on Ball State
Under Dr. Worthen's leadership at Ball State, the “Wings of the Future” capital campaign from 1987 to 1992 raised $44 million, endowed three chairs, and created 14 distinguished professorships. Shortly before Dr. Worthen's retirement in 2000, a new capital campaign, “Above and Beyond,” was launched with a goal of $90 million to support scholarships, enhance academic programs, and further improve campus facilities.
Other accomplishments during his presidency include the establishment the Indiana Academy of Science, Mathematics, and Humanities; University Media Services; and the College of Communication, Information, and Media.
Buildings added to campus during Mr. Worthen's presidency include the Edmund F. Ball Building; Alumni Center; and the Health, Physical Activity, and Arena Complex—now named Worthen Arena. Several existing buildings were renovated as well.
Dr. Worthen earned his doctorate degree from Harvard University, his master’s degree from Columbia University, and his bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University
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Alderdice Gates, at Ball State campus’ South Entrance, Dedicated on June 10
Ball State University President Geoffrey S. Mearns on June 10 dedicated the new south entrance to Ball State’s campus: the Alderdice Gates, located on West Ashland Avenue between the McKinley Parking Garage and the Foundational Sciences Building.
During the dedication ceremony, President Mearns commended Patrick Alderdice, ’92, his wife, Jennifer, and their daughter, Emily, for generously funding the water feature incorporated into the gates, which Patrick dedicated in honor of his parents.
The gates, arch, and new water feature create a welcoming atmosphere connecting pedestrians and cyclists to the south end of campus as well as The Village. The gates open to walking and biking paths which lead through the East Mall.
Patrick Alderdice is the CEO at Pennington & Company, a full-service fundraising, consulting, and alumni relations firm based in Lawrence, Kan. He graduated from Ball State with a degree in Political Science. As a student, he was involved with Delta Chi Fraternity, the Student Government Association, and University Senate. Patrick was elected to the Ball State University Foundation Board of Directors in November 2017. He currently serves as the secretary of the Board, and chair of the Engagement and Philanthropy Committee.
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Ribbon-Cutting for Ball State’s Rinard Orchid Greenhouse Expansion Held June 17; Dr. Joe Rinard Awarded President’s Medal of Distinction
A June 17 ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Dr. Joe and Alice Rinard Orchid Greenhouse marked the site’s expansion which includes a new Environmental Education Center and doubles the size of the Greenhouse Conservatory—turning it into an immersive tropical experience for exploration and discovery.
Also at this ceremony, Ball State University President Geoffrey S. Mearns awarded Dr. Joe Rinard with the President’s Medal of Distinction—one of the University’s highest honors. This medal is awarded to individuals who have made significant and unselfish contributions to the advancement of Ball State, the University’s community, the State of Indiana, or the nation.
More about the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse Expansion
Students from two immersive learning classes in the R. Wayne Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning (CAP) provided input to the overall design ideas for the building, including the butterfly roof. The environmentally friendly design includes a 2,700-gallon cistern for rainwater collected from the butterfly roof. Solar panels on the roof will offset the building power needs. The construction materials were selected to be as natural as possible, with emphasis on wood, concrete, and brick.
Additions to the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse include:
- A flexible gathering space for students, K-12 visitors, and community outreach within the Environmental Education Center. The center has nine nature-themed tile mosaics commissioned and created by local artist Jill Palumbo and an indoor observation beehive.
- A vertical stacking glass door that opens the center to Christy Woods. During temperate weather, the center can be opened to provide direct connection to the sights and sounds of the prairie.
- A south plaza as an outside classroom and public entry point to Christy Woods, the Greenhouse, and the center. It also provides gathering space for public events along the future Cultural Trail. When completed, the plaza will include School of Art student-designed and installed screen walls, a reinstalled pergola from the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse, and bench seating.
- Two staff offices, two gender-neutral restrooms, and additional storage.
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Ball State University, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Announce First Recipients of Innovative Esports Scholarship
Ball State University and Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) have selected the first two recipients of the Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Scholarship, a first-of-its-kind scholarship program for esports student-athletes.
Television legend David Letterman—1969 Ball State graduate and co-owner of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing—was among the first to congratulate scholarship recipients Ar Muhammad Aleef, 23, of Singapore; and Rhett Crain, 18, of Noblesville, Ind. They met during a private RLL team event on the eve of the 106th running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 29.
The Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Scholarship provides $5,000 annually to two members of Ball State’s varsity esports team each year from the 2022-23 through 2025-26 academic years. The scholarship program, which advances the
University’s mission of recruiting and retaining the top esports talent in the world, is a key aspect of the recently formed partnership between Ball State and RLL.
More about the first recipients of the Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Scholarship:
- Ar Muhammad Aleef is a pro-level esports driver. Mr. Aleef earned his diploma in Mechatronics, with a specialty in Robotics, from Temasek Polytechnic Singapore. At Ball State, he plans on majoring in Business Analytics.
- Rhett Crain specializes in the games iRacing and F1 2021. Mr. Crain plans on majoring in Computer Science at Ball State
- In addition to being the first recipients of this scholarship, these esports student-athletes will drive a Ball State/RLL-branded car in the upcoming INDYCAR video game upon its release in 2023.
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The partnership between Ball State and RLL, established in February, has provided other special opportunities for students engaged in Ball State’s esports program. In May, for example, several Ball State Esports students had an exclusive opportunity to visit with and observe members of the RLL racing team in action at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as they prepared for the Indianapolis 500.
Read more about the Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Scholarship, the special partnership between Ball State and the Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Team, and Ball State’s innovative Esports Program in this press release.
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Ball State University Hires Michael Lane to Lead Office of Institutional Research and Decision Support
Michael Lane will join Ball State University as associate vice president for institutional research, analytics, and decision support, effective July 1, Dr. Charlene Alexander, chief strategy officer at the University, announced.
Mr. Lane, who has more than 25 years of experience in institutional research roles in higher education, will be providing strategic leadership for and overall management of Ball State’s Office of Institutional Research and Decision Support. The unit provides data and analysis to support Ball State’s decision-making process; coordinates reporting to various federal, state, and external agencies; and maintains the accuracy of University statistics in several reports, including the annual Factbook.
More About Michael Lane
Mr. Lane started his career at the New York Institute of Technology, where he has spent the last 25-plus years playing an important role in the university’s institutional research, analytics, and decision support efforts. Starting in 1996 as a research assistant before ascending to associate director, director, and, most recently, senior director of New York Tech’s Office of Research, Assessment and Decision Support, he helped foster a culture of data-informed decision making.
He holds an associate’s degree in Accounting from Suffolk Community College in Selden, N.Y.; a bachelor’s degree in Finance from Dowling College in Oakdale, N.Y; and a Master of Business Administration from the New York Institute of Technology.
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Cardinals Baseball Team Wins Regular-Season MAC Title, First Since 2014
The Ball State baseball team this season won its first regular-season Mid-American Conference (MAC) title since 2014, finishing the regular season with a 40-19 record that includes a 32-7 showing in the MAC.
Ball State dominated the yearly MAC postseason baseball awards, with eight Cardinals in all earning honors. Ball State won four of the MAC’s six specialty awards (Pitcher of the Year, Tyler Schweitzer; Freshman Pitcher of the Year, Ryan Brown; Defensive Player of the Year, Ryan Peltier; and Coach of the Year, Rich Maloney).
In the All-MAC selections, Mr. Schweitzer (starting pitcher) earned First Team honors alongside teammates Trenton Quartermaine (first baseman), Zach Cole (outfielder) and Sam Klein (relief pitcher). Mr. Peltier (third baseman), Amir Wright (outfielder), Ty Johnson (starting pitcher) and Mr. Brown (relief pitcher) earned Second Team honors. Mr. Peltier and Mr. Cole were named to the All-MAC Defensive Team.
In addition, Ball State University hosted the 2022 MAC Baseball Tournament May 25-29.
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Ball State Staff Photographer’s Work Earns Top Five Placements in Photo Competition
Samantha Ann “Sam” Blankenship—a Ball State University staff photographer, creative strategist and Ball State graduate—has had her work recognized in the Monthly Image Competition held by the University Photographers’ Association of America (UPAA), an international organization.
Three of photos taken by Ms. Blankenship, ’15, placed in the top five in different categories in the May 2022 competition as follows:
- 3rd place in “News and College Life”
- 4th place in “Sports Action,” and
- 5th place in “Sports Features & Illustrations.”
In all, Ms. Blankenship submitted four photos in this competition which typically receives over 300 photo entries monthly. Her photos, along with other winning entries, can be viewed online. Hover your computer pointer over each photo to see the photographer’s names, placement in the competition, etc.
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Ball State PBS Selected for Training on Development of Educational Podcasts for Children, Caregivers
Ball State PBS is one of five public broadcast media stations across the United States chosen to participate in the Ready to Learn Podcast Accelerator—a podcast training program on the development of new educational on-demand audio programming for children and their caregivers.
According to a recent announcement from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), each station in the Podcast Accelerator will have a team of public media producers participating in 16 weeks of virtual podcast training led by Public Radio Exchange (PRX), and will receive up to $12,000 in funding. The Ready to Learn Podcast Accelerator is supported by the mission of the CPB-PBS Ready to Learn Initiative, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Education.
The mission of the Ready to Learn Initiative is to help children and families develop crucial skills that can lead to success in school, work, and life.
Ball State PBS’ team will develop an interactive and entertaining podcast exploring the wide world of work, which will enhance the station’s current Ready to Learn initiative that began in 2021 and continues through 2025. The team consists of Michelle Kinsey, community engagement and grants manager; Angie Rapp, marketing manager; and Sarah Kreps, assistant producer/director.
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Ball State Staffer Gives Podcast Interview about University’s Guardian Scholars Program
Bria Zolman, program manager of Ball State University’s Guardian Scholars, spread the word about this program on a recently released episode of the audio podcast Preparing Foster Youth for Adulting, produced by Aging Out Institute (AOI). The institute is a non-profit organization committed to connecting professionals who work with foster youth with resources and skills to help those youth transition successfully to adulthood.
Podcast host Lynn Tonini interviewed Ms. Zolman about this University-sponsored, student support service for Ball State students who experienced foster care. Ms. Zolman’s interview (Episode 54 of the podcast) is available on AOI’s podcast webpage or on PodBean.
Ball State’s Guardian Scholars Program won a 2021 AOI Award, which celebrates the effective strategies of organizations that work with youth who age out of foster care.
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