February 17, 2021
Dear Colleagues:
At Ball State University, we are proud to serve our neighbors and communities near and far.
The most recent example of this commitment is our University’s involvement in a collaborative effort by seven counties in East Central Indiana to earn a designation as a 21st Century Talent Region.
The designation comes from the State of Indiana’s Secretary of Career Connections and Talent. To earn this designation, more than 70 leaders from 50 private and public institutions joined forces to create a framework for future success. The ultimate goals are to increase educational achievement, better connect talent to the workforce, and grow our population.
The University’s Office of Community Engagement has been involved in this process from day one. In the future, it will serve as the backbone organization, working alongside our Talent Region partners to develop the strategies and tools necessary to achieve the three primary goals.
I am grateful to the George and Frances Ball Foundation, and especially Tom Kinghorn, the Foundation’s President and CEO, for helping us lead the effort through the first 18 months. This designation is an example of the Foundation’s role in advancing the economic and cultural vitality of East Central Indiana and another example of the enduring legacy of the Ball family.
With this new designation and continued collaboration across the region, we are building a better and brighter future for everyone in East Central Indiana.
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.
