At Ball State, we are redefining education in ways that engage high-caliber students in relevant, interdisciplinary, hands-on projects both in and out of the classroom, working with a faculty mentor. These intense, immersive experiences are designed to generate a tangible product or service and address the needs of a community partner.

Intersecting with this learning environment, our Building Better Communities initiative—launched with $2.5 million in funding from the Indiana Legislature—spurs economic development and quality-of-life advancement in Indiana by extending Ball State's strengths in applied research and hands-on learning to communities across the state.

These priorities are leveraging the university's resources and forging new partnerships in support of Indiana's new strategic economic development plan, helping to accelerate the state's economic vitality and global competitiveness. Through our bright students, expert faculty, and dedicated staff, we are providing local leaders with valuable tools to help transform their communities.

This report provides a summary of our community, economic, business, and educational development projects started or completed during 2006. Most of these efforts were directly supported or indirectly inspired by the state's funding or the $1.5 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. that created our Business Fellows program.

Projects showcased here demonstrate how Ball State is fostering innovation, investment, entrepreneurship, and leadership in Indiana's communities. They reflect our emphases on education, entrepreneurship, strategic planning, quality of life, wellness, collaboration, and technology. They illustrate the breadth and relevance of our strengths and capabilities to accelerate communities' growth and vibrancy.

Most of all, this report confirms the positive impact and model practices that can be replicated in each community throughout the state to sustain Indiana's prosperity in the dynamic economy of the 21st century.

We are Building Better Communities.