“Universities must have clearly defined purposes. A university’s purpose is not simply to be ranked number one, but to provide essential educational opportunities to society.”

Blaine A. Brownell, president of Ball State University, Indiana, USA, emphasized his views on education, citing that a university’s service role extends beyond the local community and nation to the world.

President Brownell paid an official visit to KyungHee University and Yungnam University in Korea, recognizing his institutions’ thirty-year relationships with them as sister universities. Even though Ball State University may be somewhat unfamiliar to Koreans, it has a long history and tradition of eighty years, offering more than 140 majors and minor areas of study through its seven colleges. Located in Muncie, Indiana, Ball State is perhaps best known by its reputation in the fields of business, communication, architecture and planning, and preparation of teachers.

The “Ball” in the university’s name is derived from the respected Ball family that donated land and facilities in 1918 to the Indiana state government to establish a university in Muncie.

Ball State University is justifiably proud of its entrepreneurship programs at the undergraduate and MBA levels. U.S. News and World Report ranked BSU’s entrepreneurship program the fourth-best in the U.S. in 2000.

“We have valuable relationships with lots of Korean companies. They have taken part in various BSU programs for entrepreneurs,” said President Brownell.

Explaining that the participants in those programs had many opportunities to be in touch with local Indiana firms, families and community members, he was very pleased with the assessments of the Korean participants.

He pointed out, however, he was “aware that many visiting business leaders and students still do not have the opportunity to be immersed in US culture and business practices despite their curiosity about these matters.”

“Ball State University has made great efforts to offer a variety of programs for overseas business leaders and students to interact with our local community,” the president emphasized.

Not only does President Brownell actively welcome foreigners, he is interested in encouraging his students and faculty to explore the world.

“Ball State University, through the aims of its new Five-Year Strategic Plan, encourages our students to gain global perspectives,” the president said.

“Approximately seven hundred Ball State students will travel abroad this year to enhance their college education. Ball State University has a strong commitment to cultural diversity and international programs.”