MUNCIE, Ind. - Ray Steele, founding director of the Center for Information and Communication Sciences, received a national award for individual contributions to technology in academia.

The Information Technology Association (INITA) established the CyberStar awards to honor champions of the information technology industry.

A judging panel consisting of industry and community leaders selected Steele and two other finalists: Michael A. McRobbie of Indiana University and Eugene H. Spafford, director of Purdue University’s Security Research Center.

"Ball State’s statewide leadership in this area has been present for well over a decade and this is a highly positive way for it to be recognized publicly."

More than 600 leaders from the information technology industry, government and academic attended the recent awards gala in Indianapolis.