Education

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…

By Ball State Athletics— MUNCIE, IN—Recognized as one of the nation’s top assistant basketball coaches with a proven track record in recruiting and player development, Chris Capko has been named Ball State University’s 21st head men’s basketball coach. Currently the associate head coach with Southern Methodist University and active this week with the Mustangs in the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship, Capko has spent the past 10 seasons under coach Andy Enfield at both SMU and USC. SMU was lauded this past year for landing the nation’s fourth-ranked recruiting class, and with that class the Mustangs reached the NCAA…

By Lesley DeVoss— MUNCIE, IN – Siobhan Gillespie’s journey to the front of the classroom at Ivy Tech Community College Muncie didn’t begin with a lifelong plan for academia. It began with a GED, a job as a manager at McDonald’s, and a back injury that changed her life. Today, as an Assistant Professor and Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education, Gillespie is using her full-circle experience to help lead the very Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program that launched her career. After overcoming the challenges of being a working mother and a non-traditional student, Gillespie now combines the stern “suck it…

By Ashley Mann, Ball State PBS — MUNCIE, Indiana — For a third straight year, Leo Furlong, a seventh grader at Burris Laboratory Middle School, is the champion of the Ball State PBS Regional Spelling Bee. At this year’s competition, held March 7 at Sursa Performance Hall, Mr. Furlong correctly spelled “collegiality” to secure the regional title and earn a return trip to the Scripps National Spelling Bee. The 2026 Ball State PBS Regional Spelling Bee featured 35 spellers from 35 local schools and lasted nine rounds. Tavimbanashe Anele Matangi of Eastbrook Middle School finished as runner-up. Felicia Gray, assistant lecturer…