Ball State earned the honor largely due to work done through the many centers and institutes established on campus, including its Multicultural Center and Diversity Policy Institute. Charles Payne, director of Ball State's Diversity Policy Institute, was on hand to receive the award.

"This award highlights the fact that Ball State is a role model institution for diversity," Payne said. "It is a testament to the work Ball State is doing to develop programs and policies that promote diversity and multicultural awareness on campus."

In addition to highlighting some of the nation's leading colleges and universities committed to diversity, Minority Access, in cooperation with the National Center of Minority Health and Health Disparities, also honored minority individuals who have excelled in research, particularly in the biomedical sciences and health-related fields.

For more information about Minority Access, Inc., visit www.minorityaccess.org.