Education

By Ball State Marketing & Communications— MUNCIE, IN – Geoffrey S. Mearns, president of Ball State University, has selected Jeff Mitchell as the Cardinals’ new director of athletics. Mr. Mitchell will join Ball State after serving as deputy director of athletics at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Miss., since 2018. Mr. Mitchell will be formally introduced at a program on Monday, Feb. 6, at the Ball State Alumni Center, 2800 W. Bethel Ave., Muncie, IN 47304. The event, which is open to the public and will be livestreamed at bsu.edu/live, will begin at 1:30 p.m. ET. “After conducting…

By Jennifer S. Gasiorek— MUNCIE, IN—In the 2021 fall semester, Ivy Tech Community College Muncie-Henry County started the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program.  The program is a direct result of Ivy Tech Muncie’s response to a workforce need.  With the support of Optimus Primary, and Indiana University Ball Memorial Hospital, Ivy Tech launched this program in less than three years. “When we met with Ivy Tech to explain our local need for echocardiographers, their ability to work through accreditation, acquire the appropriate equipment and train this first cohort in less than three years, speaks to Ivy Tech’s nimble approach in meeting the workforce demands…

By BSU Marketing and Communications— MUNCIE, IN – Newest rankings released today by U.S. News & World Report showcase Ball State University’s national standing as a top provider of affordable online degree programs in high-demand fields. Ball State earned 12 top-25 rankings in U.S. News’ 2023 “Best Online Programs” list, an annual assessment of nearly 2,000 online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs offered by institutions across the country. “For almost 25 years, Ball State University has been at the forefront of offering quality, innovative online programs that give our students the flexibility to earn their degrees around their schedules,” said…

By Michelle Kinsey— MUNCIE, IN—Ball State University’s Office of Inclusive Excellence is offering Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Access, and Belonging (DEIAB) sessions at the E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center beginning in February. All classes are free and open to the public (age 18 and older). Reservations are required. Brandon Million, assistant director in the Office of Inclusive Excellence, has been offering these classes for four years on the university campus for students, faculty and staff. This is the first time the classes will be offered at the off-campus center. “Part of the framework of inclusive excellence is community engagement,” he…

By Sheryl Swingley— MUNCIE, IN—The legal counsel and lobbyist for the Indiana Coalition for Public Education and a former Indiana superintendent of public instruction will join the president of ICPE as guest speakers for a joint meeting of the Muncie branches of the American Association of University Women and the League of Women Voters of Delaware County. The meeting is open to the public and free. The meeting will start at 10 a.m. and wrap up no later than noon on Saturday, Jan. 28, at Motivate Our Minds, 2023 E. Highland Avenue in Muncie.   The topic of the discussion…

By Stacey Shannon— MUNCIE, IN—Editor’s note: The Future Leaders of America series profiles high school seniors who display leadership qualities in their school and the community. The series is brought to you by Pridemark Construction. Dray Caldwell has a passion for bringing athletes together in community and forming relationships. The Yorktown High School Senior has been part of the IHSAA Student Advisory Committee since he was a junior and is now its president.   “We are the face of the whole state,” Caldwell said. “We have the student voice. We provide that to the board members of the IHSAA, the…

Editor’s note—Today is the anniversary of Al’s passing. This article was originally published on January 21, 2017. We’ve republished the article in order to remember and honor Al on this day.  By: Gail Werner— MUNCIE, IN—Ball State University has lost an institutional icon. J. Allan Rent, known to the campus community as Al, was serving as executive director and general manager for public broadcasting operations at Ball State when he died after an extended illness. He was 73. “It’s an immeasurable loss, not only for public broadcasting but the city of Muncie and Ball State,” said Angie Rapp, marketing manager…

By BSU Marketing and Communications—  MUNCIE, IN – Ball State University’s Multicultural Center has announced the schedule of events for Unity Week 2023, which kicks off on Jan. 16—this year’s official observance of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. “Unity Week is designed to educate, celebrate, and promote diversity, inclusivity, and solidarity in an evolving social climate,” said Gabrielle Lloyd, interim director of the Multicultural Center. “2023 marks the 45th anniversary of the Unity Week celebration at Ball State University. This year’s theme is ‘Be real. Be you. Unlock your full potential.’ We want to offer students, faculty, staff,…

By Sheryl Swingley— MUNCIE, IN—A representative of the Indiana Coalition for Public Education will be the guest speaker for a joint meeting of the Muncie branches of the American Association of University Women and the League of Women Voters of Delaware County. The meeting is open to the public. The meeting will start at 10 a.m. and wrap up no later than noon on Saturday, Jan. 28, at Motivate Our Minds, 2023 E. Highland Ave. The topic of the discussion is “The State of Public Education in the 2023 Indiana Legislative Session.” Two proposals the Indiana General Assembly might consider…