Education

By: BSU News— When Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow on Groundhog Day — an annual event that means six more weeks of cold weather — little did the animal now we were in for one of the warmest Februarys in 146 years, says David Call, who teaches meteorology at Ball State University. And Call believes that even with a cold front ready to burst a streak of unseasonably warm weather, spring may be starting earlier than normal. “While it has been warm, it doesn’t mean we will have an early spring. There are hints of cooler weather in mid-March. Overall,…

By: Holly Ford— Muncie, IN—Two teams of students from Muncie Central High School recently concluded an exceptional round of competition in the ninth season of CyberPatriot—the National Youth Cyber Defense Competition. Established by the Air Force Association, the CyberPatriot National Youth Cyber Education Program was created to excite, educate, and motivate students toward careers in cyber security and other science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines critical to our nation’s future. CyberPatriot’s core program—the National Youth Cyber Defense Competition—challenges teams of two to six students across the United States, Canada, other nations, and from the Department of Defense Dependents schools…

By: BSU News— MUNCIE, Ind. — The Ball State University Board of Trustees today announced that Geoffrey S. Mearns will begin serving as president on Monday, May 15. “This is an exciting time at Ball State University, and we are eager to have Geoff join us,” said Board Chair Rick Hall. “Preparing for our centennial, guiding us to a new strategic plan, building on our enrollment successes — there’s much to celebrate, and every member of the Ball State community is looking forward to collaborating with Geoff as we take the university to the next level.” Hall added that Mearns…

By: Holly Ford— Muncie, IN —Four Muncie Central students were recognized in the inaugural Rising Stars of Indiana program, sponsored by the Indiana Association of School Principals (IASP). A total of 971 high school juniors from 256 schools were named “Rising Stars.” Each Indiana high school was invited to recognize up to four students currently in the 11th grade, based on their academic achievement. Congratulations to the following Muncie Central 2017 Rising Stars! Michael Aikin, Delyn Harty-Isom, Javier Onate, and Kelby Stallings. “The Class of 2018 is surely promised success with these scholars,” said Kyle Harrop, Program Director for IASP’s Department of Student…

By: BSU News— MUNCIE, Ind. — Ball State University will retain operation of its public broadcasting station, WIPB, university officials announced today. Since fall of 2015, the university had been a participant in the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC’s) voluntary spectrum auction, which was conducted nationally in an effort to acquire broadcast capabilities for mobile providers. The university’s Board of Trustees authorized participation in the preliminary FCC auction process in September of 2015 to determine whether Ball State could fulfill its commitment to quality public broadcasting, and fully achieve its academic mission, should the auction be completed. “We have said all…

By: Richard Morris— Selma, IN—The Liberty-Perry Alumni Association (LPAA) is a 501©(3) non-profit organization that serves Wapahani, Center and Selma high schools and alumni. Established in 2008, the LPAA gives out two annual scholarships to graduating Wapahani seniors.  In addition, the LPAA sponsors the annual Wapahani All Classes Reunion held annually in August during Selma Bluebird Days.  This year’s Reunion will be the 4th annual. The LPAA has developed and is currently selling engraved bricks for the first of its kind alumni walkway at a high school in East Central Indiana—the Liberty-Perry Alumni Schools Engraved Brick Walkway.  This 10.5’ square…

By: Holly Ford— Muncie IN—Muncie Community Schools has received a planning grant of $50,000 under Lilly Endowment Inc.’s Comprehensive Counseling Initiative for Indiana K-12 Students. The aim of the Counseling Initiative is to increase significantly the number of K-12 students in Indiana public school corporations and charter schools who are emotionally healthy, realize academic success, graduate from high school, obtain valuable postsecondary credentials, certifications and degrees necessary for meaningful employment, and are prepared to compete and prosper in the global society in which they will live and work. The priorities for MCS’ planning grant will be to engage K-12 counselors…

By: Rob Frey, Principal— Saint Lawrence Catholic School will be hosting an Open House on Sunday, February 12, from 1 to 3 PM. Families interested in learning about our high-achieving K through 5 school will have the opportunity to take a tour and visit with the principal and teachers. We welcome all families who value faith, service and quality academics, you don’t have to be Catholic to attend. Scholarship and financial aid options will be discussed as well. Our school is located at 2801 East Sixteenth Street in Muncie If you have questions, please call 765-282-9353 or visit us on the web…

By: Melissa Rose— Muncie, IN—Last summer, over 600 people participated in Delaware County’s first-ever Nature Play Days, a state-wide event run by Indiana Children and Nature Network and facilitated locally by Muncie & Delaware County BY5. The event, which offered forty-two separate activities for families to get outside and play, received positive attention from families and partners around the community. Now the Nature Play Coalition—that’s the planning arm of BY5’s Nature Play Days—is working to encourage outdoor play during winter months. The group launched an initiative called Winter Play Wednesdays at the beginning of January to share simple ways that…