MUNCIE, Ind. - Ball State's annual BeneFacta Day Program celebrates university research and service projects on Friday, Sept. 15 in the L. A. Pittenger Student Center Cardinal Hall.

The 14th edition of "BeneFacta" magazine will be introduced at the program. The focus of this year's issue is on projects that benefit young people. The event will also highlight the opening of the Indiana Center on Early Childhood Education, to be housed at Ball State.

Naomi Karp, director of the National Institute on Early Childhood Development and Education in Washington, D.C., will speak at 3 p.m. about children and education at the event. Her topic is "They Are Ready to Learn - Are We Ready to Teach?"

"BeneFacta magazine highlights the university's external funding that supports faculty projects," said James Pyle, executive director of the Office of Academic Research and Sponsored Programs. "This year we recognize 168 faculty."

"We also recognize those who support the research as well as those who carry it out," said Pyle. "Funds come from sources such as federal and state agencies and various corporations. The total for last year reached an all-time high of $11 million."

Many of the supported projects deal with issues that directly benefit children and involve Ball State in collaboration with schools in Delaware County and elsewhere in Indiana. Teamwork in outer space, work with young people at Muncie's Community Center for the Arts and writing poetry in elementary school are some examples of funded projects that broaden and enrich children's lives.

By Marie Aquila, Communications Manager

(Note to Editors: For more information about this story or how to reach the source, contact James Pyle at (765) 285-1600 or jpyle@bsu.edu.)