June 30, 2022
Stories of GratitudeI am grateful for the generosity shown to Ball State University by our graduates and friends. Their donations impact the University in many different ways. Two examples are our Alderdice Gates, and the expansion of our Dr. Joe and Alice Rinard Orchid Greenhouse.
Dedicated earlier this month, the Alderdice Gates offer a symbolic entrance to our East Quad and will become another iconic architectural structure on our beautiful campus. The water feature incorporated into these gates was generously funded by Patrick Alderdice, who is a graduate of our University, along with his wife, Jennifer, and their daughter, Emily. The Alderdice family’s gift was made in honor of Patrick’s parents.
Generous gifts from donors also made possible the recent expansion of our greenhouse. The expansion doubles the size of the greenhouse's conservatory, and includes a new education center plus several other features. Children and adults who come to the greenhouse now have plenty of reasons to fall more in love with nature with each visit.
In addition to donations that helped complete our Alderdice Gates and Rinard Orchid Greenhouse expansion, Ball State has experienced a record increase in giving from our graduates and friends over the past few years. We are on track, for the fourth consecutive year, to raise more than $30 million in new philanthropic commitments. Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, our alumni and benefactors have made these gifts because they know that their investments in our people—in our students, our faculty, and our staff—are enabling us to transform lives.
To each person who has given to Ball State, thank you for your generosity and your support.
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Sincerely,
Geoffrey S. Mearns
President
Ball State University
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Summer Commencement Set for July 23 at Worthen Arena
Ball State University’s 2022 Summer Commencement will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 23, in Worthen Arena. Learn more about the University’s 2022 Summer Commencement on the Commencement website.
Volunteers are needed at Summer Commencement. Volunteer opportunities include:
- Directing the graduates and guests
- Serving as a point of contact for questions
- Restocking programs
Please volunteer by emailing Angel Tuttle, assistant director of Commencement and University Events by Friday, July 8. All volunteers are greatly appreciated, and will help make 2022 Summer Commencement memorable for graduates and guests.
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Our Call to Beneficence Podcast
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New 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
From 1984 to 2000, Dr. John Worthen served as the 11th president of Ball State University. During his tenure, Dr. Worthen earned the respect and admiration of his colleagues—and the campus community—on account of his effective leadership of the institution.
In this episode, Dr. Worthen recounts growing up as a child during the Great Depression and what inspired him to pursue a career in higher education.
He also reflects on his experiences serving in the Navy, meeting his wife, Sandra, and the many milestones of his presidency, including the successful completion of Ball State’s first capital campaign and helping the institution become nationally recognized for its use of technology to enhance learning.
Dr. Worthen earned his doctorate degree from Harvard University, his master’s degree from Columbia University, and his bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University.
Learn more about Dr. Worthen and his time at Ball State here.
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Human Resources Department Has Relocated to Administration Building
With the goal of putting all human resources needs in one location, Ball State University’s Human Resources Department has relocated to Room G29 of the Administration Building. The new location is an easy, one-stop shop for all University employee needs, such as Human Resources, Benefits, Payroll, Wellbeing, and Employee Relations. An accessible entrance is available on the east side of the building.
The HR Solutions Center is also available via email, or by phone, (765) 285-1834.
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| Ball State's Response to COVID-19
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All employees are strongly encouraged to get a COVID-19 vaccination and then attest to their full vaccination using our online form. For more COVID-19 information, plans, and resources for faculty, staff, students, and campus visitors, visit the Ball State Cardinals Care website.
On-Campus Vaccine Clinic Not Operating in June or July, Will Resume When Fall Semester Starts
The vaccination clinic in Ball State’s Interprofessional Community Clinics (ICC) will not be open in June or July. The clinic will resume operations when classes resume in August for the Fall 2022 semester. Details about the days and hours of operations in August will be listed in Together We Fly later this Summer.
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Stay current on latest Statehouse news
The Office of Governmental Relations invites you to subscribe to its weekly newsletter, Statehouse Update. The newsletter provides updates on key legislation being followed by the University and insights into the legislative process. Sign up or view past editions of the newsletter.
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R. Wayne Estopinal College of Architecture and PlanningCAP’s Institute for Digital Intermedia Arts Lab Develops Virtual Escape Room for College of Health
The R. Wayne Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning’s Institute for Digital intermedia Arts (IDIA) Lab is working on a Virtual Escape Room project for Ball State’s College of Health. During this collaboration, research and development of a virtual multi-user escape room application will be used to enhance learning objectives.
Escape rooms employ innovative learning strategies such as problem-based immersive learning, role play, and game principles to improve teamwork, communication, and leadership. Nationally, health profession curricula are beginning to explore the use of escape room experiences as innovative pedagogy. Escape rooms challenge individuals to collaboratively explore new content, work as a team to discover clues, solve puzzles, and accomplish interactive tasks in a limited amount of time.
This virtual escape room will support teaching teamwork and communications curricula for health profession students and contribute to improved health outcomes. The project is scheduled to launch in the Fall semester.
Miller College of BusinessArticles Published
Several Miller College of Business faculty members have had their articles published recently, and one had an op-ed piece published in the Wall Street Journal:
College of Communication, Information, and MediaBall State University, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Announce First Recipients of Innovative Esports Scholarship
Television legend and 1969 Ball State graduate David Letterman ‘69—a co-owner of RLL—congratulated Mr. Aleef and Mr. Crain in-person during an RLL VIP celebration at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the Indy 500 race weekend. At Ball State, Mr. Aleef plans on majoring in Business Analytics, while Mr. Crain plans on majoring in Computer Science.
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. 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.
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.
Read more about the RLL/Ball State partnership in this press release.
Ball State Sports Link Airs its First 30-Minute Documentary
Ball State Sports Link recently premiered its first 30-minute documentary, Thy Will Be Done – The Trey Uetrecht Story. This documentary shares the story of how a patch of black ice changed the trajectory of Mr. Uetrecht’s football career. While the Sports Link film made its online premiere on May 25, the documentary will also get linear television coverage at 9 p.m. July 9 on Ball State PBS.
The documentary was produced during the Spring 2022 semester by senior Faith Denig and junior Peyton Monnell, along with Mr. Uetrecht—marking the first time a student-athlete at Ball State served as a producer with Ball State Sports Link in the Department of Media. Watch the full documentary on YouTube: Ball State Sports Link: Thy Will Be Done (The Trey Uetrecht Story).
College of Fine ArtsAwards and a Donation
- Conservation Tales—an interdisciplinary team of students and faculty who work with a variety of external partners to create children’s books about wildlife conservation and authentic science practices—received two Immersive Learning Awards this year. The 2021-2022 Student Team Award was given for demonstrated perseverance and creative problem-solving during the Spring 2022 semester. Faculty mentors Barbara Giorgio-Booher, teaching professor of Art in the College of Fine Arts, and Tom McConnell, professor of Biology, were awarded the 2022 Immersive Learning Outstanding Faculty Award for their leadership in the Spring 2021 semester.
- The School of Music’s Music Media Production program recently received a large donation from their industry partner Netflix. Scott Kramer, the head of audio at Netflix, provided a high-end Trinnov AVR with spatial audio extension for the studio’s Atmos space.
College of HealthCollege of Health Hires New Director of Student Services
The College of Health has recently hired Nick Atlas as the college’s director of Student Services. Mr. Atlas be working alongside the other college directors and advisors to help students succeed in their respective majors.
Mr. Atlas spent the last 14 years in Washington, D.C., where he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in History from The Catholic University of America. At his alma mater, he worked in several administrative positions (2012-2019) before joining the George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences as the senior academic advisor (2019-2022). In his free time, he enjoys playing with his dog Count, antiquing, visiting historical sights, and advocating for the LGBTQ+ Community.
In-Person Counseling Available at Ball State’s Counseling Practicum Clinic
The Counseling Practicum Clinic, part of the Interprofessional Community Clinics (ICC), is now offering counseling sessions in-person as well as continuing telehealth services. Learn more about the clinic and its available services by visiting ICC’s website.
College of Sciences and HumanitiesResearch in Molecular Aquatic Ecology to Receive Funding from National Science Foundation
Dr. Allison R. Rober, associate professor of Biology, has been awarded $687,229 from the National Science Foundation for a three-year Transitions to Excellence in Molecular and Cellular Biosciences project. Findings from this research will make significant contributions to an understanding of microbial diversity with ecosystem function in boreal wetlands. The project will support implementation of cutting-edge molecular techniques into Dr. Rober’s research and teaching program, and provide authentic research experiences for graduate and undergraduate students.
Honors College Student Awarded National Chemistry Scholarship from the American Chemical Society’s Scholars Program
Sociology Department Graduate Selected for Prestigious Project
Cheri Madewell, a graduate of the Department of Sociology, has been selected by the U.S. Department of State for an English Language Specialist Project to conduct programs overseas. Her project will focus on Pride Month Conversations with Educators in Brazil.
Teachers CollegeGrant Awards
- Bethany Clegg – Stem in the Gym—Engineering Our Own Putt-Putt Golf Course
- Bethany Clegg and Blake Turner – Life Savers in Action
- Kay Furnish and Melissa Dotson – Discovering Spring Life Cycles
- Felicia Gray – Snowflake Science: A Winter Learning-land
- Michelle Harris – School Fantasy Fiction
- Phillip Lobo and Jeffrey Smith – The Ecosystem Next Door: Fostering Local Biodiversity
- Phillip Lobo and Meghan K. Riley – Critical Futures: Global Speculative Fiction Co-Teaching Initiative
Accolades- Jon Clausen, associate professor of Secondary Education and Educational Technology in the Department of Educational Studies, was one of 12 faculty members across the country invited to attend a meeting at the U.S. Department of Education on June 7 in Washington, D.C. The meeting was for the public launch of an initiative to accelerate the way new teachers are prepared so they can be successful in digital learning environments.
- Several Teachers College faculty participated in the Indiana Department of Education’s eLEAD Summer of Learning Conference in June to provide and promote professional learning for K-12 educators: Kendra Lowery and Rachel Geesa, Educational Leadership; Amy Gough, Office of Teacher Education Services and Clinical Practice; Krista Stith, Center for Gifted Studies and Talent Development; Theresa Kruczek, School Counseling; and Heather Abernathy and Leah Chandler, Burris Laboratory School.
Honors College
New York Times Bestselling Author, Exercise Scientist to Become Honors College Instructors This Fall
Honors College is adding two new adjunct instructors—New York Times Bestselling author Kelsey Timmerman and exercise scientist Dr. Bridget Lester—this Fall.
Mr. Timmerman is well-known for his books, Where Am I Giving?, Where Am I Wearing?, and Where Am I Eating?. A co-founder of The Facing Project, Mr. Timmerman has reported from more than 60 countries on issues including globalization, modern-day slavery, poverty, philanthropy, and the global agriculture and garment industries.
Dr. Lester has a background in biology and biotechnology. Her work includes research on the impact of exercise on human skeletal muscle and tendon adaptability, and work within a large National Institutes of Health (NIH) project to catalogue the biological molecules affected by exercise.
University Libraries
University Libraries’ Campus Partnerships Can Help Cut Student Costs
University Libraries saved Ball State undergraduate students enrolled in English 103 and 104 courses a total of approximately $160,000 in course material fees during the 2021-2022 academic year. Addressing affordability and access to course content is a leading priority for the Libraries. That inspired a partnership with the English department to migrate two existing electronic textbooks to library-supported online publishing platforms—significantly reducing costs for Writing Program students.
The Libraries offers digital research hosting services to provide Ball State faculty, staff, and students with platform solutions to host, design, publish, and share open digital content. Through innovative collaborations across campus, University Libraries is preserving immersive learning projects, student and faculty exhibits, and course materials on a diverse range of platforms: Omeka, Scalar, WordPress, and more.
University Libraries also provides collaborative opportunities, workshops and instruction, consultative services, and technological support for hosting digital content. For more information about how these services can be useful for faculty, staff and students, contact Digital Scholarship Strategist Jordan Bratt, in the University Libraries Office of Digital Research and Publishing.
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