Education

By Andy Klotz— MUNCIE, IN— Kyle Buresh is a winner. It’s all he’s done since leading LaPorte High School’s football team to its first-ever regional championship as a team captain back in 2006. Next year, he’ll bring his winning ways to Muncie Central as the Bearcats’ new head coach, replacing Kyle Padgett who recently stepped down to accept a position in Indianapolis. Over the past five years, Buresh has compiled a 45-14 record at Mississinewa High School with two sectional championships, two conference championships and the school’s only 12-win season (2023). Last year, the Indians were 11-0 before falling in…

By Lesley DeVoss— MUNCIE, IN— Ivy Tech Community College Muncie-Henry County continues its commitment to community engagement by supporting Brothers 2 Brothers United, a local nonprofit dedicated to mentoring and empowering young men. Ivy Tech was connected to the organization when Corbin Black, Ivy+ Career Link Program Manager, was introduced to Brothers 2 Brothers United founder, Melvin Kelly. During their conversation, Kelly indicated that they needed assistance in setting up their computers and network. Black connected Kelly to Mike Kingsley, Associate Professor of Information Technology. After discovering the age of the organization’s computer systems, Kingsley worked with the Ivy Tech…

By Ball State Communications— MUNCIE, IN—Ball State University has been named an “Opportunity College and University” by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, recognizing the University as a national model for advancing student success and long-term economic outcomes. This recognition comes through the new Student Access and Earnings Classification, developed by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the American Council on Education. The classification evaluates institutions based on their ability to serve students from the communities they represent and on how alumni earnings compare to peers in their regional job markets. In 2025, just 479…

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. By Stacey A. Shannon— MUNCIE, IN—Muncie Central High School senior Jamar Clark meets himself coming and going as he juggles activities in school, outside of school and a part-time job. But Clark wouldn’t have it any other way. His involvement at school runs the gamut from sports to leadership and more. Clark has spent four years running varsity track, two years playing varsity football and two years playing varsity…

By Sheryl Swingley— MUNCIE, IN—Donations of new and gently used books, puzzles, DVDs and CDs (music and books) will be accepted for the American Association of University Women – Muncie Branch Used Book Sale starting at 8 a.m. Monday, May 19, at Ball State University Alumni Center, 2800 W. Bethel Ave. Carts will be available to unload books at the front door of the Ball State Alumni Center, and donors may temporarily park at the entrance of the center. Note that textbooks, magazines, damaged or soiled books, dictionaries, almanacs, encyclopedia sets, cassette tapes or VHS tapes are not accepted. All…

By Megan Custodio— GASTON, IN—Orr Fellowship has appointed its new Fellowship Leadership Team, including Brylee Koontz, a Gaston native and graduate of Marian University, who is the new Director of Continued Learning. She is among eight current Fellows to be named to the organization’s Fellowship Leadership Team for the 2025 term. In this role, Koontz will plan and execute flagship development events; advocate for professional and personal resources; and connect fellows with professional development and networking opportunities in Indianapolis and Evansville. “I am truly honored and excited that my peers have entrusted me to step into the Director of Continued…

By Ball State Communications— MUNCIE, IN — Kayla Davion, a 2017 Ball State University graduate best known for her work on the Broadway stage, will address Ball State’s Class of 2025 at the University’s Spring Commencement ceremony. Ball State will confer approximately 2,800 doctoral, specialist, master’s, and baccalaureate degrees during the University-wide gathering. The event will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 3, in the Quad, followed by individual college celebrations throughout the day at Worthen Arena and Emens Auditorium. “Kayla personifies the enduring values of our University,” said Ball State President Geoffrey S. Mearns. “Since the day she left…

By Ball State University Communications— MUNCIE, IN—The Ball State University chapter of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) was recently named the 2023–2024 Collegiate Chapter of the Year by the Indiana Music Education Association (IMEA). The prestigious honor recognizes the chapter’s outstanding efforts in membership, service, advocacy, and professional development during the 2023–2024 academic year. Although the award was presented in early 2025, it is based on chapter activities completed during the previous academic year. Chapters are selected through a competitive, blind-review process led by staff in NAfME’s collegiate office. Each application details the chapter’s efforts in recruiting, member…

By Ball State Communications— MUNCIE, IN — A new study from Ball State University’s Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER) finds that significant changes in Indiana’s school funding policies—including property tax caps, operating referenda, and revisions to the state funding formula—have led to shifts in how school districts across the state spend money, particularly on instruction, administration, and staffing levels. The research, summarized in a new policy brief titled School District Responses to Property Tax Caps, Referenda, and State Funding Formula Changes, uses data from 295 public school districts across Indiana between fiscal years 2000 and 2019. The study…