April 30, 2025

     I am grateful to our faculty and staff for their enthusiastic participation in this year’s One Ball State Day (OBSD), which once again demonstrated the strength of our University community. Preliminary figures indicate that we raised more than $1.3 million and received 7,800 gifts. This generous support from our donors is a testament to their belief in our mission—and it was the dedication of our faculty and staff that made the day so successful.

     Many of our colleagues went above and beyond their regular responsibilities—serving as ambassadors for One Ball State Day, and encouraging others to support our University with enthusiasm and Cardinal spirit.

     A few of my campus colleagues joined me in a lighthearted video promoting OBSD 2025, in which I announced—on April Fool's Day—that we were changing our mascot from a cardinal to a goose. While the mascot change was not real, the opportunity for donors to name a goose roaming our campus—offered at a certain giving level—certainly was.

     Several other faculty and staff members participated in Dash and Splash—a spirited OBSD competition in which participants paddled across Lewellen Pool on large inflatable ducks to earn challenge dollars for their respective areas. Our colleagues in the University Police Department also contributed to the day’s success with their creative Dumb and Dumber-inspired videos, which captured attention and inspired strong donor engagement.

     These are just a few examples of how our faculty and staff contributed to the success of OBSD 2025—demonstrating what we can accomplish when our campus community comes together in pursuit of a common goal. I remain inspired by your creativity and your enduring commitment to finding engaging and meaningful ways to support our University.

Sincerely,

Geoffrey S. Mearns
President
Ball State University

Spring Commencement Set for May 3; Ball State Grad and Broadway Performer Kayla Davion to Address Graduates
Ball State University will confer approximately 2,800 doctoral, specialist, master’s, and baccalaureate degrees at our Spring 2025 Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 3. Commencement will begin at 10 a.m. in the Quad, followed by individual college celebrations throughout the day at Worthen Arena and Emens Auditorium. Times and locations of the college celebrations are available online.

Kayla Davion, a 2017 Ball State graduate best known for her work on the Broadway stage, will address the Class of 2025 in the Quad. While earning her degree in musical theater, Ms. Davion made history by becoming the first Ball State student to book a Broadway show—the Tony-nominated Waitress—before graduating. She has since graced Broadway and Off-Broadway stages, most notably portraying Tina Turner in the hit musical Tina: The Tina Turner Musical. When not performing, Ms. Davion is a successful producer, writer, and educator. She also founded an alumni ambassador program at Ball State to promote the University’s theatre and dance program and mentor students in the arts. Learn more in this Ball State press release.

Latest Episode of ‘Our Call to Beneficence’ Features Ball State Graduate, Entrepreneur Dr. Ron Galbraith
Dr. Ron Galbraith, ’68 MA ’70, is the guest on the April 2025 episode of the monthly podcast “Our Call to Beneficence,” hosted by Ball State President Geoffrey S. Mearns. This episode is available now. All episodes of the “Our Call to Beneficence” podcast are available on multiple platforms, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify. 

Dr. Galbraith was a college professor before becoming an entrepreneur whose expertise and work overlapped within the healthcare and tech sectors. Highlights of his career include being board chairman and co-founder of onFocus Healthcare, Inc., and founder and CEO of Management 21.

He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the same majors, English and history, from the College of Sciences and Humanities. Dr. Galbraith earned his doctorate from Carnegie Mellon University in 1976.

In 1987, Dr. Galbraith won the Ball State University Alumni Association’s Distinguished Alumni Award—the highest award that may be bestowed on an alumnus by the Ball State University Alumni Association.

Generosity Drives Success of One Ball State Day 2025
Ball State University is celebrating another successful One Ball State Day (OBSD), the University’s annual 24-hour online fundraiser. Preliminary figures indicate the University received more than 6,700 gifts totaling more than $1.2 million during OBSD 2025, held April 2. These generous gifts will support the needs of students, faculty and staff, and programs; enrich the academic experience; and expand campus and community impact in transformative ways. Learn more about OBSD 2025 results online.

While OBSD is a special day for giving and highlighting the University’s impact on people and communities worldwide, Ball State celebrates all its donors year-round. Anyone who wishes to make a gift to the University can do so by visiting bsu.edu/give.

Honoring our Colleagues for their Longtime Service: Faculty, Professional, Service, and Staff Personnel
Ball State would like to thank and recognize many longtime faculty, professional, service, and staff personnel for their talent and dedication to our University. They continue to support Ball State’s mission through celebratory and challenging times. A reception was held for the honorees on April 7. The 2025 Years of Service honorees’ names are listed in this Communications Center post.

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 their talent, their dedication, and continued support for Ball State’s mission, through celebratory and challenging times. The names of the employees being recognized are listed in this Communications Center post.

New Non-Credit Course Equips Managers with Conference-Planning Skills
Leaders and managers who plan conferences can benefit from Ball State Lifetime Learning’s online course “Conference Planning: From Vision to Execution.” This self-paced, comprehensive training is specifically designed for new and seasoned conference organizers, event planners, and administrators. At the end of the course, participants may be able to effectively apply design thinking to define clear conference goals and themes, understand and select the appropriate conference types, venues, and session formats that align with their goals, and ensure that events resonate with their audiences and exceed expectations.

The course provides access to many downloadable resources, including a comprehensive conference planner, speaker guide template, vendor selection checklist, and other tools to ensure a streamlined planning process. Register online.

Reminder: In-person Commencement Celebration for Online Graduate Students Set for May 2
The Division of Online and Strategic Learning will hold a Commencement celebration for online graduate students from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on May 2 in the David Letterman Communication and Media Building lobby. Although the RSVP deadline for online students has passed, faculty teaching online courses are welcome to attend.

This celebration will recognize the educational achievements of online students and provide an opportunity for online students to connect with one another. The event will include appetizers, mortarboard decorating, a selfie and TikTok booth, and chair massages.

If you have questions about the event, email Michelle Carr, executive director for learner experience.

Ways to Get Involved in Ball State University’s First ‘We Fly Fest’
Planning is underway for Ball State’s first “We Fly Fest,” scheduled for June 7. This free event is another opportunity for community members to visit the University’s campus and learn about the great things Ball State offers.

We Fly Fest will begin at 5 p.m. at the Brown Family Amphitheatre, with information tables, games, food trucks, a DJ, and more. Then, visitors will be invited to explore campus through self-guided tours and/or a Student Experience bus tour, returning to the amphitheater at 7 p.m. for a Ball State Studio Band concert.

There are three ways faculty, staff, and/or colleges and units can be involved:

To have an information table at the amphitheater or host an activity in your building, please complete this participation form. To volunteer at the event, please email Krista Flynn, program coordinator in the Office of Community Engagement.

Opportunities to Volunteer
Greater Muncie Indiana Habitat for Humanity is always looking for volunteers, and there are many ways to get involved. The Office of Community Engagement's volunteer webpage has more information about volunteering at Habitat or other local organizations.

Foundation Unveils Top 10 Students from 2024-25 'Top 100 Students' List
The Ball State University Foundation recently revealed the University’s Top 10 students from its 2024-25 “Top 100 Student Awards” program.

Now in its fourth year, the Top 100 Student Awards recognize 100 outstanding Ball State juniors and seniors who represent Beneficence both in and out of the classroom. The program honors students for excellence in academics, campus leadership, and community engagement.

This year’s Top 10 students are (in alphabetical order by last name):

(* indicates Top 2 students)

To see the entire 2024-25 Top 100 Students list, visit the Foundation’s website.

Ball State’s Immersive Learning Program Featured in Duke University’s Learning Innovation & Lifetime Education Publication
Ball State’s Immersive Learning Program was featured as one of 17 model programs in Collaborative Project-Based Learning in Higher Education: Case Studies, a digital publication from Duke University. Ball State was among the five schools whose immersive learning program reached more than 750 students yearly. The publication is available online.

Filtering Platform Launched to Help Protect Employees and Students from Email-Based Scams, Malicious Attacks
The Office of Information Technology prioritizes protecting students and employees from email-based scams and malicious attacks. To that end, Proofpoint—an email filtering platform—was launched this Spring, adding an additional layer of protection to email communication. Proofpoint inspects all incoming emails and filters out unwanted content. By preventing these emails from reaching inboxes, the platform reduces the likelihood of users engaging with potentially harmful content. Users can review and manage quarantined emails at mailfilter.bsu.edu. For additional Proofpoint resources, contact the IT Help Desk or find more information in the Knowledge Base.

Ball State Students Earn Top Awards During National Student Employment Week
The Midwest Association of Student Employment Administrators kicked off National Student Employment Week (the second full week of April) by recognizing student award-winners from across the Midwest. Ball State University was the only institution with two award winners this year.

Ben Shope received the Innovation & Tech Award, and Natalie Novak received the Critical Thinking Award. The awards highlight how student employees acquire and demonstrate the National Association of College and Employers (NACE) competencies employers say are critical for students to have and demonstrate.

After Another Historic Season for Ball State Women’s Basketball Program, Secure Your Seats for 2025-26
The Ball State women’s basketball team soared to new heights this season, making its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2009 and capturing its second Mid-American Conference (MAC) Tournament title in program history under 13th-year head coach Brady Sallee.

Led by MAC Player of the Year and Tournament MVP Ally Becki, the Cardinals delivered a championship performance, with Becki cementing her legacy as the program’s all-time assists leader (721). MAC Defensive Player of the Year Marie Kiefer also made history, closing her career as the Cardinals’ all-time blocks leader (197).

Secure 2025-26 season tickets today. Fill out an interest form online, and a sales rep will contact you.

Architecture Building Renovation to Start in May 2025
A partial renovation of the Architecture Building is scheduled to begin in May. The renovation will focus on the east end of the building—specifically, the 1982 addition. Key improvements include upgrades to the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, and the building’s sloped window facade. Additionally, new studio spaces will be created on the first and second floors of the south side of the building. Construction is expected to be completed by December 2026.

Research Project Begins
Urban Planning Students in the Economic Development Studio have embarked on a two-year research project focused on analyzing Kosciusko County, Indiana’s orthopedic supply chain, and the Winona Avenue Corridor in Warsaw, Kosciusko’s county seat. The project aims to provide valuable insights to OrthoWorx and local partners. In late March, the students shared some of their early findings with high school students from Warsaw, sparking conversations about the area’s economic landscape and what they would like to see improved along the corridor.

ECAP Honors Distinguished Alumni 
The Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning (ECAP) recently held its annual Alumni Awards Dinner at the Alumni Center, bringing together faculty, students, and alumni to honor exceptional graduates. ECAP presented its alumni awards, which the college’s Executive Advisory Board gives each year. These awards recognize alumni who demonstrate outstanding professional success or notable achievements in their field, reflecting ECAP’s commitment to fostering excellence in architecture, planning, and design. Learn more about the recipients of the 2025 Alumni Awards in this ECAP blog.   

Empowering Communities is Ball State’s Accredited Economic Development Course
Since 1986, the Indiana Communities Institute’s Indiana Economic Development Course has been a vital training ground for economic development professionals. This intensive, week-long course is accredited as an official basic course by the International Economic Development Council. Scheduled from May 12-16, 2025, participants will gain comprehensive insights into theories and practical strategies designed to build and sustain vibrant communities. More than 2,200 alumni, including economic officers, community developers, consultants, and elected officials, have leveraged this course to foster vibrant communities throughout Indiana and beyond. 

Ball State Takes Top Honors in NCAA Analytics Challenge
Miller College students excelled at this year’s annual Crossroads Classic Analytics Challenge, which was held in March at the NCAA National Office.

Competing as a team against Butler, Indiana University-Bloomington, Purdue, and Rose-Hulman, Ball State students demonstrated impressive analytical talent. Information Systems and Operations Management undergraduates Asante Anglin, Ngoc Tran, Nolan Purvis, and Yutong Wang earned first place in the Undergraduate Division. Graduate students Kevin Wu, CJ Glock, James Galiher, Chang Suh, and Audra Racster placed third in the Graduate Division.

This year’s competition featured 111 teams and more than 450 students statewide. Eight finalist teams presented their findings on “What can the NCAA learn about its customers by how they fill out their brackets?”

Dr. Kristen McCauliff Named Dean of the College of Communication, Information, and Media
Ball State University has appointed Dr. Kristen McCauliff as dean of the College of Communication, Information, and Media (CCIM). Dr. McCauliff has served as CCIM’s interim dean since July 2024.

A member of the Ball State faculty since 2009, Dr. McCauliff is a respected scholar and experienced academic leader. She previously served as associate provost for faculty affairs and professional development, where she led campus-wide initiatives that advanced faculty success and student learning.

As a faculty member at Ball State, Dr. McCauliff has taught and advised graduate students in rhetorical theory, criticism, feminism, and media analysis. In recognition of her commitment to high-quality instruction, she received the University’s Outstanding Teacher Award in 2015. Her research has been published in Communication Studies, Women & Language, Rhetoric Society Quarterly, and the Journal of Faculty Development. She is also the co-author of Listening to Women on the Right: Communication Strategies of Today’s Female Republican Politicians, published in 2017.

Nationally, Dr. McCauliff has led workshops with Academic Impressions and has been named an EAB Rising Higher Education Leaders Fellow and a University of California, Berkeley Bridging Differences Fellow. She earned her doctorate in communication from the University of Georgia and a master’s degree from Wake Forest University.

Accolades and an Exhibition
Design and Technology option students from the Department of Theatre and Dance competed with students from across the country at the Southeastern Theatre Conference in Baltimore from March 19-22. Three Ball State students placed in their competitions, and two received honorable mentions:

Community Fitness Offerings
The Healthy Lifestyle Center and Cardinal Wellness have expanded community fitness offerings this Summer to include the Buley Center at 111 N. Penn St. in Muncie. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the following classes are offered there as of April 1:

Starting May 14, an Ultimate Frisbee League will meet at 6 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays at Heekin Park.

Accreditation
The Speech Pathology and Audiology Department’s accreditation has been renewed through 2033 by the Council on Academic Accreditation for its Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Programs. 

Law School Panel Provides Networking for Students and Alumni
The College of Sciences and Humanities (CSH) Success Hub held its annual Law School Exploration Event, featuring a panel of CSH alumni working as attorneys or attending law school. The panel interacted with students from across the college to share career opportunities in law and information on law school applications and admissions. The event was co-hosted by Indiana University’s McKinney School of Law and featured a presentation from McKinney’s assistant director of admissions. 

Rinard Orchid Greenhouse to Host Help with Houseplants Event on May 10
The Dr. Joe and Alice Rinard Orchid Greenhouse is hosting its Help with Houseplants event from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on May 10. Attendees can learn how to care for indoor plants. Bring your houseplant, or one meant to be a gift for someone else.

Honors, Accolades, and a Grant

New York Times Subscription Available Campuswide 
The entire campus can access the New York Times online via University Libraries’ subscription to New York Times All Access.  This subscription includes access to news, podcasts, multimedia content, newsletters, gaming, cooking, audio, Wirecutter, and The Athletic.    

Users will need to create an account with their Ball State University email to access this content. Create an account online. Note: Before accessing the New York Times for free via the library subscription, you must cancel your existing New York Times subscription if you signed up using your Ball State email. Contact customer service at the NYT directly: edu@nytimes.com.

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