Education

By Ball State Communications— MUNCIE, IN – Ball State University celebrated its Class of 2025 on Saturday, conferring more than 1,300 doctoral, specialist, master’s, and bachelor’s degrees during its Summer Commencement ceremony. Held in Worthen Arena on the Ball State campus, the event featured an address by David Taylor Little, associate teaching professor in the Department of Theatre and Dance. A 2024 recipient of the Outstanding Creative Endeavor Award, Prof. Little delivered his address, “Buckle Up, Buttercup!”, in which he…

By Kallie Sulanke— MUNCIE, IN— Incoming high school seniors can now apply online for the 2026 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship administered by The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County. Applicants must be residents of Delaware County, Ind., and attend an accredited high school in Delaware County. The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship in Muncie and Delaware County awards a student who possesses leadership potential and is well-rounded and community-minded. The scholarship covers tuition and required fees for four years of…

By Ball State Communications— MUNCIE, IN — Ball State Public Media has earned three national awards from the Public Media Journalists Association(PMJA) in recognition of its work in local journalism and community programming. Indiana Public Radio (IPR), a service of Ball State University, received two first-place awards. In the News Feature category, reporter Thomas Ouellette was honored for his coverage of an apartment complex in Anderson that had been abandoned by its owner. The story examined the poor living conditions…

By Lesley DeVoss— MUNCIE, IN— Ivy Tech Community College Muncie has been awarded the inaugural Collegiate Purple Star of Indiana (CPSI) designation, which recognizes Indiana postsecondary institutions that provide outstanding support to U.S. military-affiliated students, including veterans, active-duty service members and their families. The CPSI designation, awarded by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (CHE) and the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA), recognizes institutions that excel in creating a supportive environment for military-connected students throughout their educational journey. “We…

By Ball State University Communications— MUNCIE, IN—In an era in which artificial intelligence tools are rapidly reshaping how we access and share information, Ball State University Libraries has introduced a new research guide to help students, faculty, staff, and community members use AI more thoughtfully and effectively. The interactive guide, now available at bsu.libguides.com, equips users with foundational skills to assess the credibility, accuracy, and ethical implications of generative AI tools like ChatGPT and image generators. Through five short videos…

By Sheryl Swingley— MUNCIE, IN—Three Ball State University students are the recipients of the American Association of University Women Muncie Branch’s 2025-26 scholarships, each worth $1,500. The recipients working on earning a bachelor’s degree are Lizzie Burton, whose major is computer science in cybersecurity and secure software design, and Shawnee Dance, whose major is accounting/finance. The third recipient, Allison Thomas Snoddy, is working toward a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling. AAUW raises money for its scholarships through its…

By Bobbi Bosch— INDIANAPOLIS —Nextech, an Indianapolis-based nonprofit dedicated to creating universal access to computer science (CS) curriculum and experiences for all K-12 Indiana students, in partnership with TeenWorks has launched a new paid internship program for Muncie and Anderson high school students. The Catapult internship program received start-up funding from an Indiana University Health Community Impact Investment Fund (CIIF) grant. Catapult is an experiential, paid internship for high school students who aspire to a career in technology. Taught by industry…

By Ball State Communications— MUNCIE, IN— During its annual budget meeting today, the Ball State University Board of Trustees approved no increase in student tuition and mandatory fees for the 2025–26 and 2026–27 academic years. The Board also formally adopted the University’s Strategic Plan for 2025–30, which will guide institutional priorities and resource allocation over the next five years. The two-year tuition and fee freeze continues the University’s commitment to responsible financial stewardship and efficient operations while prioritizing strategic investments…