MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ball State Board of Trustees today reviewed an updated campus master plan proposal that establishes a long-range, phased framework aligning the university’s strategic, academic and physical plant goals.
The proposal, the first of its kind in more than 20 years, emphasizes:
- an academic experience focused on entrepreneurial learning, in and out of the classroom
- a vibrant residential community that provides unique educational and engagement opportunities
- a vision that addresses institutional and state priorities, and is supportive of Indiana’s economy
- reuse, renovation and reallocation opportunities to maximize efficient use of resources
“A campus master plan, at its essence, is a collection of powerful thoughts and ideas,” said Terry King, interim president. “As a long-range tool, a master plan outlines opportunities that establish a path to move the campus forward and complete initiatives that will make Ball State increasingly robust, while providing the necessary flexibility to adapt to changes that might come in the future.”
The plan outlines ideas that could reach fruition in a limited period of time, for instance five to 10 years, while laying the groundwork for other opportunities that may develop over the course of a generation, according to Bernard Hannon, vice president for Business Affairs and treasurer.
“The beauty of this is that it’s a living, breathing document,” Hannon said. “It’s designed with the university’s strategic plan and goals well in mind but allows for adaptation should unforeseen opportunities and challenges arise down the road.”
Today, the board also appointed a presidential search committee consisting of 16 members representing the university’s students, trustees, faculty, administration, staff, service personnel, and alumni. The committee will be led by Trustee Matt Momper and include:
Charlene Alexander, professor of counseling psychology and faculty athletic representative, associate provost for diversity, director of the Office of Institutional Diversity
Kay Bales, vice president for Student Affairs and Enrollment Services and dean of students
Andy Beane, associate professor of art
Jennifer Bott, dean of the Miller College of Business and professor of management
Thomas C. Bracken, trustee
Renae Conley, trustee
Mark Ervin, Muncie-Delaware Chamber of Commerce board member
Sali Falling, vice president and general counsel
Hank Gerhart, statistical data asset control specialist at University Libraries
Richard Hall, trustee
Amy Harden, associate professor of family and consumer sciences
Jeff Kingsbury, alumnus
Cherí O’Neill, president and CEO of the Ball State University Foundation
Jerri Reynolds, custodian
James Wells, 2016-17 president of the Student Government Association
“This knowledgeable and committed group comes from the many parts of the Ball State family, and several also are active members of the Muncie community,” said Board Chair Rick Hall. “The board greatly appreciates the committee’s willingness to assist in such an important decision regarding the future of the university.”
Also, the board announced that Witt/Kieffer would advise the search for Ball State’s new president. The company was one of four that board members interviewed in public meetings before making a final selection today.
The board encouraged members of the campus and greater community to participate in the presidential forums scheduled for next week. Those times and dates are:
Thursday, April 21 — L.A. Pittenger Student Center, Cardinal Hall B
- 1 p.m. — faculty and academic staff
- 2 p.m. — general staff
- 3 p.m. — student body
Thursday, April 21 — Worthen Arena, Arena Lounge
- 5:30 p.m. — alumni and community
Friday, April 22 — Burkhardt Building, Room 100
- 9 a.m. — faculty and all staff
- 10 a.m. — student body
The board also approved an honorary doctor of laws degree for Scott McCorkle, CEO of Salesforce’s Marketing Cloud and a 1989 alumnus. McCorkle will deliver the Spring Commencement address on May 7.
Finally, the board formally approved the creation of the John H. Schnatter Institute for Entrepreneurship and Free Enterprise. The institute, created thanks to a $3.25 million grant from 1983 alumnus John Schnatter, founder and CEO of Papa John’s Pizza, and the Charles Koch Foundation, will support the university’s goal to become a national model for values- and ethics-based entrepreneurship, developing research and talent to help solve contemporary problems.
