Ball State Alumnus Magazine, Learning, Living, Leisure

Learning
by Kate Rooney

With more than 150 undergraduate majors and minors, 70 graduate programs, and 12 doctoral degree programs in seven academic colleges, Ball State offers stellar opportunities for nearly every type of career choice. Courses spanning from ceramics to construction management, public relations to operational meteorology, and botany to musical theatre create a list of endless possibilities.

At the heart of education is the classroom, where small-group discussions and interdisciplinary opportunities give students the chance to learn experientially and work with faculty in both research and practical endeavors.

Recently named a "Best in the Midwest" university by The Princeton Review, Ball State has departments across campus engaged in cross-discipline programs that give students challenging, high-quality academic experiences.

The list is as long as it is diverse. Two such examples involve The Miller College of Business (MCOB) and other areas of study. The Community Outreach Partnership Center includes participation from the College of Business and the Department of Computer Science. The risk management program encourages cooperation between students in MCOB and the College of Sciences and Humanities.

There are other intensive learning experiences tailored to different disciplines. Representative examples are NewsLink Indiana, cornerstone of the university's digital journalism initiative; the Virginia B. Ball Center for Creative Inquiry, merging faculty and students in an interdisciplinary environment to explore the arts and humanities; and the Business Fellows program, engaging students with mentors to find solutions for clients in a communitybased environment.

The university encourages creative thought and experimentation and, according to Interim Provost Deborah Balogh, collaborative experiences may be attributed in part to Ball State's interest in faculty development.

"We provide support for faculty who wish to explore new instructional techniques, new research ideas, and new ways of collaborating with external partners," Balogh says. "This emphasis on faculty development translates into unique learning opportunities for students."

In terms of faculty and professional staff, Balogh says Ball State has some of the best. "We have several faculty members who have been nationally recognized for their teaching, research, and service contributions, but we have an even greater number who have not achieved that level of recognition, yet have been significant influences on the lives of our students," she says.

"This, I think, has a lot to do with the culture of Ball State—it is very student-centered. As a result, we attract the kind of faculty who see themselves as fitting into our culture and who are seeking an environment in which they can engage with students in a variety of ways," Balogh concludes.

The strength of programs such as nursing and residential property management is reflected in the near-perfect licensing scores of their students. Through high-quality classroom education and experiential learning opportunities, graduates are leaving Ball State ready to become leaders in the workforce.

A pioneer in increasing the quality of students' learning experiences is the Community Based Projects (CBP) program through the College of Architecture and Planning. A recent recipient of the National Community Design Program Award from the Fannie Mae Foundation and the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture, the CBP program combines public service with experience beyond the classroom.

"Architects don't design for other architects, they design for other people," says CBP Director James Segedy. "To translate what students hear in the classroom and read in a book, they must see people with real concerns doing real things. The world isn't made of nice little cubby holes, which is why it's very important to give students as many experiences as possible."

Since 1969, the CBP program has combined teaching, research, and community service activities to provide architecture students with design and urban planning opportunities. Students, handpicked for workshops and consultation by Segedy and other project managers, receive hands-on training inside a community that has requested their services.

"Most of the projects we do are for communities," Segedy says. "We don't do contract work for individual businesses or for private home renovation, but we have worked with churches and organizations of that nature. Generally, we develop economic and comprehensive plans with communities."

In some cases, Segedy and his students must call on representatives from other disciplines such as sociology, political science, physics, economics, and natural resources. According to Segedy, these interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary opportunities are important to any serious student. "A three-legged stool stands up a lot more easily than a one-legged stool," Segedy says. We like to get as many kinds of people involved as possible. Yes, we want people who are the experts in that field to be a large part of it, but we want people who are outsiders as well."

With completed projects in rural towns and inner-city neighborhoods across Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and in countries like Australia, Segedy says many of the community-based projects build on one another.

"We have no idea where a project is headed when we go in, and that's part of the excitement," he says. "I deliberately don't tell the team what I know because I don't want them to come in with any preconceived notions of what they're going to do. I want the community to tell them, and for them to see it for themselves."

Another example is in the College of Fine Arts, where music technology students are blending science and music to explore electronic music and composition with sophisticated digital technology. By combining performance with courses in physics and calculus, Associate Professor of Music Keith Kothman says the program attracts a lot of music students who are interested in the technological side of the business.

With the opening of the Music Instruction Building in 2005, music technology students have access to 11 state-of-the art studios including rooms for recording, computer access, controlling, and individual work.

"Students interested in both performance and technology see more options in terms of what they can do with a music degree," Kothman says. "They see a larger industry and more potential jobs, whereas if they majored only in performance, the lights look pretty dim."

Colleges with exceptional students and experiential programs consistently gain national recognition. The Miller College of Business, recently recognized by U.S. News and World Report as as one of the best undergraduate business programs in the nation, is annually ranked among the nation's top-ten programs and has been described as the "ultimate entrepreneurial experience."

Students in the College of Communication, Information, and Media frequently receive hands-on experience through the departments of journalism and telecommunications. From their very first semester, CCIM students utilize equipment such as high-definition cameras and advanced computer software to complete projects both inside the classroom and for student-run organizations such as Cardinal Communications and the Daily News.

The progressive attitude of the seven academic colleges continues to keep Ball State on the national radar. By establishing competitive curricula and excellent learning environments, university colleges and departments—working together or independently—give students the resources to succeed in their chosen profession.

Living
by Leslie Benson

Ball State's bustling community requires a foundation of workers to make it a secure, enjoyable, and fulfilling place to live. The public relies on specific groups to oversee everything from landscaping to safety, dining, sleeping, and shopping.

The university's Facilities Planning and Management and the Department of Public Safety are two major entities that keep the campus functioning efficiently.

From running the four boilers on campus to designing and constructing buildings, 319 employees have diverse responsibilities. Facilities Planning and Management currently maintains 47 buildings, a task that continues to grow.

"In the past six years, we've added more than 300,000 square feet of building space," says Kevin Kenyon, associate vice president of Facilities Planning and Management. "There's another 200,000 square feet being added for the new Communication and Media Building, which will be completed by spring 2007 and the East Residence Hall, opening in the fall of 2007. We also have approval for the football stadium expansion and recreation facilities expansion."

The department also oversees Ball State's fleet of vans, buses, snowplows, and lawn mowers used for transportation and grounds maintenance. In addition to facility upkeep, grounds and landscaping crews work diligently and methodically to maintain the 985-acre campus.

"We spend a lot of effort making sure the campus is landscaped with color," says Kenyon. "We plant pansies in the spring, geraniums in the summer, and chrysanthemums in the fall."

Kenyon says Ball State has about 8,000 trees on campus. "We employ professional tree surgeons to make sure our trees are healthy and safe," he adds.

The trees and other plantings are part of Ball State's plan for an environmentally safe campus. An organization not directly related to Facilities Planning and Management but actively engaged in environmental awareness is the Council on the Environment (COTE). The group, consisting of faculty, students, and Muncie community representatives, offers "greentips" on how to reduce office paper waste, electricity, and water usage on campus.

The Department of Public Safety employs 31 police officers who patrol campus by automobile and bicycle. "College campuses generally experience fewer crimes of violence than other communities, [but] we are not immune to many of the other kinds of criminal activity found in other communities—theft , vandalism, and burglary," says Robert Fey, associate director of Public Safety.

Through service programs such as Charlie's Charter, which drives students to their cars after buses have ceased running for the night, and the motorist assist program, which helps stranded Ball State affiliates change flat tires and jump-start dead car batteries, university police look after the community's welfare.

Another role of the Department of Public Safety is managing the vehicular traffic on campus. Parking Services devotes its time to making sure vehicles are properly registered and parked. It is no small feat, according to Nancy Wray, Parking Services office manager. Ball State's new parking garage, built along McKinley Avenue in 2005, has bumped the total number of parking spaces on campus to 9,913, including spaces in lots, garages, and designated street spaces. "For the 2005-06 school year, we have had 11,200 active [parking] permits," Wray says.

Ball State boasts a population of 17,728 students and 3,497 employees. With so many people on campus, the university provides numerous dining options. There are 350 food-service workers who serve 8,397 total meals on campus per day. "On March 20, for example, we used 380 pounds of ground beef patties, 356 pounds of pasta, and 495 pounds of French fries," says Liz Poore, director of operations for Residence Halls Dining Services.

Assorted meal options are available across campus. Residence Hall Dining Services manages 11 sites that offer an entire range of dining experiences, from a la carte soups, salads, and sandwiches to full-scale buffets. LaFollette Market features an assortment of snacks and deli sandwiches. The nearby Village has a number of restaurant options offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus.

Woodworth Commons, formerly Plaza, is currently under construction and is slated to open in the fall of 2007. Poore says the facility will offer everything from specialty sandwiches to home-style meals.

Living accommodations include residence halls, apartments, and the campus hotel, located in the Student Center. The options make staying at Ball State convenient for short-term or long-term occupants. More than 5,000 students lived on campus spring semester.

Under construction, East Residence Hall will be located between DeHority and Studebaker complexes, and is slated to house 506 students. At a cost of $30 million, East Residence Hall will be the first new residence hall built on Ball State's campus since Johnson Complex was constructed in 1969.

Near campus, Anthony and Scheidler Apartments give student families or singles preferring a non-residence hall life a choice of one-or two-bedroom apartments or townhomes. When parents or guests visit, they can stay at the L.A. Pittenger Student Center Hotel overlooking campus along University Avenue.

Those living in the Ball State community can shop on-campus or nearby. Cardinal merchandise, academic books, and gift s are available at the Ball State Barnes and Noble Bookstore, located in the Art and Journalism Building. The bookstore also features a cafe and the Cardinal Copy Center.

In the Student Center, one can get a quick haircut from 41-year Ball State veteran Benny the Barber, go bowling, or send mail from the U.S. Post Office hub. As with dining, the Village offers supplemental shopping opportunities.

Many individuals work collectively to keep the Ball State community functioning. In an environment that offers so many services, there is evidence that Ball State is not just an academic world, but also a place to comfortably call home.

Leisure
by Allison Davis

College is not all work and no play. Ball State has activities, programs, organizations, and facilities that make it easy for students to get involved. Whether it's attending a play at University Theatre, dancing with the swing society, or bed racing at Homecoming, students find numerous ways to add entertainment and leisure into their schedules.

For a more cultural activity, residents can expand their knowledge through visiting Ball State's Museum of Art. With more than 11,000 works of art, one can view permanent exhibits in collections representing medieval to contemporary times. To make the holdings accessible on the Web, the Museum of Art is in the process of digitizing them, creating highresolution pictures for patrons, scholars, students, and faculty to access.

The beauty of art in nature can be found on campus. Donated by the Ball Brothers as part of their gift to the state of Indiana in 1918, Christy Woods also has become an essential educational resource.

A fence was erected in 1940, when Christy Woods became an outdoor teaching laboratory, according to John Taylor, land manager of the field station, and Environmental Education Center educator. Originally used for grazing hogs and collecting sticks for firewood, the 17-acre property has long been open to students, faculty, and the public for study or leisurely strolls.

"The number of educational resources we have in this small area [is unique]," Taylor says. "We have native woods, an ephemeral wetlands, prairie, wet prairie, bog, pond, and conifer plantings. We also have two greenhouses with tropical collections."

While some may enjoy a walk in the woods, others may choose to stargaze at Ball State's observatory, part of the university's planetarium. Located in the Cooper Life Science Building, the observatory is equipped with state-of-the-art technology.

"When most people think of a planetarium, they think of a dark room with stars in the ceiling, but in fact the planetarium is a modern theatre," says Ronald Kaitchuck, the planetarium's director. "It certainly is computer-driven. Most of the shows take three computers to run."

For those who prefer other entertainment options, there are a variety of performance stages around campus. From solo entertainers to group and Broadway stage productions, Emens Auditorium has been the center of attraction since 1964. "We average more than 100 events a year," says Robert Myers, director of both the auditorium and Pruis Hall, another performance venue adjacent to Emens.

Pruis Hall was built in 1972. Made of Indiana limestone and designed to resemble a piano, Pruis hosts activities that range from the University Program Board's film series to Homecoming programs to community meetings and events. The hall also is the location for daily class lectures, and is used for workshops, conferences, and faculty meetings.

Opened in the fall of 2005, the newest entertainment venue is Sursa Hall. The 600-seat performance hall serves as a rehearsal, performance, and recording hall. "It offers more than 300 music events a year," says Jeffrey Carter, coordinator of undergraduate programs in music. The hall also has acoustical tuning capabilities where, according to Carter, "artists can make the room sound however they want."

Besides just listening to performances, musicians can record concerts digitally and broadcast live music to radio and the Internet. "The Sursa Hall stage is used daily to present faculty, students, and guest artists in performance," Carter says. "Everything that happens on that stage contributes to the vitality of this area's cultural life."

Worthen Arena is another popular venue. In addition to being home to the Cardinal men's and women's basketball teams, the arena hosts concerts, commencements, large banquets, and special events ranging from the NCAA Men's Final Four Volleyball Championship to entertainers in concert.

For rest and relaxation, students gather on the south side of campus at the L.A. Pittenger Student Center. Dedicated in 1952 to honor Lemuel A. Pittenger, Ball State President from 1927-42, the student center provides opportunities for one to bowl, play pool, or experience the X-treme gaming lab. A reading lounge provides peace and quiet for catching up on a hard day's work.

On Saturday nights, students participate in Late Nite, an event off ering high-energy activities in a safe environment. Sponsored by the University Program Board, Late Nite features a plethora of activities including crafts, dancing, games, and free food.

In addition to the assortment of entertainment, the student center also is home to 20 student organizations, including the Student Voluntary Services (SVS). With one of the largest active organization memberships on campus, SVS offers students opportunities to engage in community service. "We average 1,000-1,200 [volunteer] students during the academic year," says Helen Stephenson, office coordinator in Leadership and Service Learning.

There are 332 student groups available to Ball State students, directed by the tudent Organizations and Activities Office. Special interest groups range from the Billiards Club and the Storm Chase Team, to Disabled Students In Action and the Japanese Animation Society.

Greek life on campus includes Interfraternity Council groups, Panhellenic sororities, National Pan-Hellenic Council fraternities and sororities, and multiple Greek honoraries.

There are opportunities for students to bond with others of similar beliefs through both non-denominational and denominational religious organizations. Students also stay involved with their majors and interests in academic clubs such as Alpha Kappa Psi Business Fraternity, Cardinal Filmworks, and the Student Education Association.

Media-savvy students may participate in The Ball State Daily News and Expo magazine, or host a one-hour radio show on the campus radio station, 91.3 WCRD-FM.

Residents who enjoy participating in sports are encouraged to join club teams or intramurals, or adapted sports for people with disabilities.

A wide range of recreation is readily available at Irving Gym. Patrons can enjoy a fitness room, complete with weights, treadmills, televisions, and XM satellite radio.

Other facilities include fully mirrored dance studios, a combative arts room, and Lewellen Aquatic Center, which features a 25-yard competitive swimming pool and diving well.

Open since 1925, Ball Gym has been the heart of activity for decades. The historic building was home to the Cardinal basketball team from 1925 to 1963, and served as the site for dances, speeches, and high school athletic events for the Munice community. Extensively renovated in 1997, the gym is now equipped with a fitness room, track, pool, and spinning studio.

To better suit outdoor-oriented athletes, sports fields are available for flag football, rugby, and soccer matches. Sand volleyball courts—located in most residence hall areas—two soft ball diamonds, and two tennis court complexes also are accessible for daily use.

Through a multitude of leisure activities, students and the Muncie community stay in sync. With studies put aside, students put their spare energy into social activities to individualize their persona and network. At the end of the day, leisure and entertainment at Ball State help create a strong environment for building a well-rounded social life.

Photos for this feature are courtesy of Ball State Museum of Art, Ball State Photo Services, Housing and Residence Life, and Denise Greer.