Education

By Andy Klotz— MUNCIE, IN— Muncie Central Athletic Director Jeff Holloway will be a busy man for the next several weeks as he leads the search for new head coaches for the school’s football and boys basketball teams. The two men in those positions, Kyle Padgett and Justin Ullom, both resigned this week. Both coaches joined MCHS a couple months apart in 2022, Padgett coming from Centerville High and Ullom from Monroe Central. Padgett has also been part of Central’s…

By Ball State University Communications— MUNCIE, IN— Ball State University has appointed Dr. Kristen McCauliff as dean of the College of Communication, Information, and Media (CCIM). Dr. McCauliff has served as CCIM’s interim dean since July 2024. A member of the Ball State faculty since 2009, Dr. McCauliff is a respected scholar and experienced academic leader. She previously served as associate provost for faculty affairs and professional development, where she led campuswide initiatives that advanced faculty success and student learning….

By Tim Underhill— MUNCIE, IN—The Ball State University Department of Media presents the National Press Photographers Foundation, Hutchison/Wheeler Lecture series. Wednesday, April 16th at 6:30 p.m. in the Art and Journalism Building room 175, John Sharify will discuss and share his award-winning storytelling. Tim Underhill, Senior Lecturer in Media at Ball State is facilitating the presentation. Underhill says, “I have known John Sharify for more than ten years and he is a wonderful person and amazing storyteller.” John Sharify is…

By Ball State University Communications— MUNCIE, Indiana — The International Association of Laboratory Schools (IALS) has named Burris Laboratory School as its 2025 Outstanding Laboratory School of the Year. Burris, a public K–12 school that is part of Ball State University, was selected for its leadership in educational innovation, research, and its unwavering focus on student voice and academic excellence. The award, presented at the IALS annual conference in Kingston, R.I., honors one institution each year that exemplifies the core…

By Michelle Kinsey— MUNCIE, IN – Ball State University’s Office of Community Engagement is accepting proposals for the 2025 Community Engagement for the Arts (CEFTA) Grant, a competitive funding opportunity that provides up to $35,000 annually to support a community arts-focused organization or program in East Central Indiana. Application deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, March 28. To apply for the grant or for more information, go to https://www.bsu.edu/about/administrativeoffices/community-engagement/arts-grant-application. The Community Engagement for the Arts Grant affirms Ball State’s commitment to…

By Ball State University Communications— MUNCIE, IN—For a second straight year, Leo Furlong is the champion of the Ball State PBS Regional Spelling Bee. On March 8, Mr. Furlong, a sixth grader at Burris Laboratory School in Muncie, secured the 2025 regional title by correctly spelling ‘leviathan,’ earning a spot in the Scripps National Spelling Bee this Spring in Washington, D.C. The semifinals and finals will be held May 27-29. This year’s Ball State PBS Regional Spelling Bee featured 41…

By Ball State University Communications— MUNCIE, Indiana — One Ball State Day (OBSD), the University’s annual day of giving and celebration of Cardinal spirit, returns for its seventh year on Tuesday, April 2. This day of beneficence brings together alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends to showcase the power of collective impact in advancing Ball State University and supporting student success. Since its inception in 2019, One Ball State Day has demonstrated what can be achieved when Cardinals unite. Last…

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 Shannon— MUNCIE, IN—In the four years she’s been at Muncie Central High School, Isabel Quirk has been making a mark. From athletics to community service to academics, Quirk happily maintains a busy schedule and is looking forward to attending Indiana University Bloomington next fall to study law,…