By University Communications—
MUNCIE, IN – Ball State University next month will confer approximately 3,000 doctoral, specialist, master’s, and baccalaureate degrees at its 2024 Spring Commencement ceremony.
The University’s 198th Commencement ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 4, in the Quad, followed by individual college ceremonies throughout the day at Worthen Arena and Emens Auditorium.
Stedman Graham, a New York Times bestselling author, educator, business advisor, and 1989 Ball State University graduate, will deliver the address to Ball State’s Class of 2024 at the main ceremony.
Listen to Steve Lindell’s WMUN interview with Stedman Graham below.
In addition to Mr. Graham’s address, the main Commencement ceremony on May 4 will include a special acknowledgment for June Scheumann, a dedicated benefactor and supporter of Ball State.
“As we prepare for the upcoming Spring Commencement ceremony on our beautiful Quad, I look forward to celebrating the many achievements of our students, who are poised to embark on the pursuit of fulfilling careers and meaningful lives,” Ball State President Geoffrey S. Mearns said. “I am grateful for the sustained and collective commitment of our graduates, of their family and friends, and of our faculty, staff, and Board of Trustees.”
Chairman and CEO of S. Graham and Associates, Mr. Graham has delivered lectures and training workshops worldwide about “Identity Leadership,” a concept based on the philosophy that people cannot lead others until they first lead themselves. His book about this concept, also titled Identity Leadership, was published in 2019.
As an educator, Mr. Graham has been a distinguished visiting professor at numerous colleges and universities around the nation. Mr. Graham, who earned his master’s degree in education from Ball State in 1989, is a former adjunct professor at the Northwestern Kellogg School of Business, where he taught the course, “The Dynamics of Leadership.”
In 2022, Mr. Graham returned to Ball State as a featured speaker in the David Letterman Distinguished Professional Lecture and Workshop Series.
“We welcome Stedman Graham back to campus as our Commencement speaker,” President Mearns said. “Mr. Graham’s message on identity leadership aligns with our University’s enduring values of excellence, innovation, courage, integrity, inclusiveness, social responsibility, and gratitude.”
June Scheumann is the wife of the late John Scheumann, who graduated from Ball State in 1971. She is the president and treasurer of the Scheumann Foundation.
Among many University gifts, the Scheumann family significantly supported the 2005 renovation of the John B. and June M. Scheumann Stadium with a $4 million contribution. In 2019, the Scheumann family made the lead $7 million gift to support the Scheumann Family Indoor Practice Facility at Ball State. Most recently, Ms. Scheumann contributed $2.5 million to advance the development and construction of the new Performing Arts Center—the catalyst of the University’s Village revitalization plan.
Times, locations, and details of the Spring Commencement ceremonies are as follows:
» 10 a.m.—Main Ceremony in the Quad: Ball State President Geoffrey S. Mearns and Commencement speaker Stedman Graham will address the attendees, the doctoral and specialist candidates will be hooded, senior awards and special recognition will take place, and there will be a special performance.
» 12:30 p.m.—College Ceremony at Emens Auditorium: College of Fine Arts
» 12:30 p.m.—College Ceremony at Worthen Arena: College of Health and Teachers College
» 4 p.m.—College Ceremony at Emens Auditorium: Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning
» 4 p.m.—College Ceremony at Worthen Arena: Miller College of Business and College of Communication, Information, and Media
» 7:30 p.m. —College Ceremony at Worthen Arena: College of Sciences and Humanities
Additional details:
» Parking: Parking is free in any of the campus lots and garages. Free shuttles will be running all day to help get attendees and media to their respective ceremony locations. For the main ceremony that starts at 10 a.m., media members are encouraged to park on the south side of campus. Those interested in covering the college ceremonies at Worthen Arena are encouraged to park on the north side of campus.
About Ball State
Founded in 1918 and located in Muncie, Ball State University is one of Indiana’s premier universities and an economic driver for the state. Ball State’s 20,000 students come from all over Indiana, the nation, and the world. The 790-acre campus is large enough to accommodate first-rate facilities and 19 NCAA Division I sports, but our welcoming and inclusive campus is small enough to ensure the friendliness, personal attention, and access that are the hallmarks of the University. Destination 2040: Our Flight Path establishes Ball State’s ambitious goals for our second century.
