Education

New report shows the immense impact of the college’s students, alumni and operations By Ivy Tech— INDIANAPOLIS— Ivy Tech Community College Muncie’s impact on the region adds more than $91.2 million in income through its students, alumni, and operations. That’s equal to more than 1,362 jobs supported. The overall impact of Ivy Tech was cited in a new report on the economic value of the College, as measured during Fiscal Year 2024-2025 by Lightcast. The report found that the statewide impact of Ivy Tech adds more than $4.8 billion in income through its students, alumni, and operations of campuses throughout…

By Dr. Michael J. Hicks— MUNCIE, IN— A new policy brief from Ball State University’s Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER) examines how county-level restrictions on utility-scale wind and solar development in Indiana are associated with employment, gross domestic product, and local public revenue. Published through the Indiana R-STEP Collaborative, the brief summarizes findings from a broader empirical study of renewable energy restrictions across Indiana counties. The brief reports that counties adopting restrictions on renewable energy development tended to experience weaker economic performance than counties without those restrictions, with differences most evident in employment and GDP and concentrated in manufacturing and…

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—Last August, Muncie Central High School senior Fletcher Kahle tore his ACL for the second time in his high school career. Just like that, plans shifted a bit for the varsity football and baseball athlete. The seven-month recovery time for such an injury kept Kahle off the football field last fall, but he’s looking forward to school baseball this spring. “Going through that recovery…

By Ball State Communications—  MUNCIE, IN — Actor, producer, and philanthropist Hugh Jackman will address Ball State University’s Class of 2026 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 2, in the Quad, followed by individual college celebrations throughout the day at Worthen Arena and Emens Auditorium. During the main ceremony, Mr. Jackman will receive an honorary doctor of arts degree. He has starred in many films, most notably as Wolverine in several Marvel movies and as the lead…

Preschool registration for 4-year-olds also available By Andy Klotz— MUNCIE, IN— Muncie Community Schools (MCS) will be holding kindergarten roundup at all six of its elementary schools Thursday, April 9 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. This is an opportunity for families to register their 5-year-olds for the 2026-27 school year while getting a first-hand look at classrooms. Teachers and administrators will be on hand to answer parents’ questions. Children must turn five on or before September 1 to be eligible for kindergarten. The roundup will coincide with on-site open enrollment for all grades, preschool through 12. Preschool openings are limited…

By Ball State Communications— MUNCIE, IN— One Ball State Day (OBSD), Ball State University’s annual day of giving and celebration of Cardinal spirit, returns Wednesday, April 1. The 24-hour event brings together alumni, friends, faculty, staff, and students to strengthen the University through gifts, advocacy, and engagement. Supporters can make a gift at oneballstate.bsu.edu anytime from midnight to 11:59 ET on Wednesday, April 1. Donors may choose to support student emergency aid or make a gift to the Ball State school, college, department, or organization that matters most to them, with gifts of $5 or more qualifying for One Ball State Day…

By Sheryl Swingley— MUNCIE, IN—The Muncie Central High School Alumni Association at its annual meeting recognized three distinguished alumni and celebrated its 30th anniversary. The three alumni recognized for their distinguished careers and contributions to their communities and Muncie Central were Robert Coatie,  a graduate in 1963; Mary Jane Croft, a graduate in 1933; and Lathay Pegues, a graduate in 1993. Honorary alumni awards were presented to Chuck Reynolds, superintendent of the Muncie Community Schools, and his wife, Rhonda Reynolds. Guest speaker for the event and presenting an overview of the alumni association’s 30 years was founding member and secretary…

By Ball State Communications— MUNCIE, IN—New research from Ball State University’s Center for Business and Economic Research(CBER) provides a new, easy-to-use way to compare how Indiana public school corporations are performing—one that helps place test results in context and makes comparisons across very different communities more meaningful. CBER’s study uses a “value-added” method that looks at student outcomes and then estimates how much of the difference in school performance is associated with factors that school corporations cannot easily control—such as student poverty and other demographic characteristics—versus how much is associated with corporation-level practices and decisions. The research is intended to complement…