Education

By Ball State Marketing and Communications— MUNCIE, Indiana – Ball State University’s Teachers College today was once again recognized by U.S. News & World Report for its standout graduate degree programs in education. Ball State earned two top-30 national rankings in U.S. News & World Report’s 2023 “Best Graduate School Rankings” list, including 22nd in Elementary Teacher Education and 26th in Curriculum & Instruction, a specialty category. Overall, Ball State ranked 76th in the nation in overall graduate education programs, an increase of 15 spots from last year’s list. Ball State now ranks in the top 17 percent of all…

By Sheryl Swingley— MUNCIE, Ind.—The deadline for applications to be submitted for the American Association of University Women, Muncie Branch, nontraditional student scholarship is Friday, April 1. The scholarship is worth $1,500 and is available for the 2022-2023 academic year, effective Aug. 1, 2022, through July 31, 2023. The scholarship must be used for tuition, health fee, books, and other classroom-related expenses for the year, including summer session. To apply, applicants must meet the following selection criteria: Students of any gender identity who are 25 years old or older Students who are an undergraduate or graduate student at Ball State University, Ivy Tech, and/or…

By Sheryl Swingley— MUNCIE, IN—Former Muncie Central Bearcat mascots were acknowledged during halftime of the Feb. 11 boys basketball game at the Muncie Fieldhouse. Former Bearcat mascots introduced at halftime were Jase Rigney, 2018-19; Noah Summers, 2017-18; Payton Ullman, 2015-16; Charlie Hammock, 2015-16; Holly (maiden name: Hays) Ling., 1997-98; Melanie (maiden name: Simmons) Howe, 1996-99; Lisa (maiden name: Dalton) Doan, 1994-95; Keith Roberts, 1990-1991; and Nancy (maiden name: McCullough) Winkle, 1962-64. The February halftime celebration also showed off the newest “suit of clothes” for the Bearcat mascot, currently named “Beau.” The new mascot uniform debuted during the Class of 2021 senior parade and made it initial…

By Tony Sandleben— MUNCIE, Ind. – With two seats on the Muncie Community Schools (MCS) School Board set to be open soon, Mayor Ridenour is announcing the names of the people he is planning to send to Ball State President Geoffrey Mearns for consideration for one of those seats. Those people are Carisa Aguilar, Brittany Bales and Dr. Amy M. Baize-Ward. Dr. Ward is the current Vice Chancellor of Student Success at Ivy Tech Community College. She has a Master’s Degree in Executive Development and a Doctorate of Education from Ball State University. She got her Bachelor of Arts degree…

By IU Communications— BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Indiana University President Pamela Whitten will host the fifth annual Launch(ed) Women in Technology conference, which aims to inspire middle school girls to pursue their interest in STEAM fields: science, technology, engineering, art and math. The conference will be held March 23 at Hub & Spoke in Fishers. “I am honored to host the fifth annual Launch(ed) Women in Technology conference,” Whitten said. “This conference offers opportunities for middle school girls to learn, explore and interact with new innovation, tech products and STEAM professionals, and sets them on an exciting path to contribute to…

Editor’s note: Sunshine Week is a national initiative to promote a dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of information. Participants include media outlets, civic groups, libraries, non-profit organizations, schools and others. By Juli Metzger— MUNCIE, IN—As we embark on Sunshine Week, an annual recognition of the importance of open government, I cannot help but reflect on our imperfect union, and that the free flow of fact-based news continues to hit roadblocks in this age of misdirection and disinformation. Fake news, if you will. But whatever obstacles we encounter in the United States serve as warnings to what…