Education

By Ball State Marketing & Communications— MUNCIE, IN – Ball State University’s rapidly growing Esports program took another significant step forward recently with the signing of one of the top young Rocket League professionals in the country. Arlin “Oath” Burns, a senior at Triton Central High School in Fairland, Ind., has signed a full-ride scholarship to compete for Ball State’s varsity Rocket League team beginning in the Fall of 2023. Mr. Burns currently competes for the professional Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS) team Akrew, which signed him in 2021 at the age of 16. “Arlin brings a fantastic mix of…

By Ball State Marketing & Communications— MUNCIE, IN – On February 3rd, Ball State University  hosted more than 85 middle and high school students from Delaware County for the second annual Peer Tutoring Day. The event is held each year to celebrate, train, and encourage local students who have volunteered to be peer writing tutors in their schools. “The goal of Peer Tutoring Day is to bring together all of these writing centers and tutors into one place–as a sort of conference,” said Dr. Susanna Benko, professor of English at Ball State and professional development liaison to Muncie Community Schools….

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…