Spring Commencement

Remarks for President Jo Ann M. Gora

Saturday, May 3, 2008; 10:00 a.m.

Fine Arts Terrace, Old Quadrangle

Good morning!  In addition to the distinguished members of our platform party, we have a member of Congress in our audience today.  Steve Buyer, who represents Indiana's Fourth District in the U.S. House of Representatives, is here to watch his son, Ryan, graduate.  To Representative Buyer and all the parents, family members, friends, and supporters here today, welcome to the Ball State campus and thank you for being here to share this special day with us.

This truly is a day of celebration.  Given Assistant Secretary Jones' insights about global competition and intercultural awareness, I think it's only appropriate that I begin my prepared remarks with a Chinese proverb.  It states, "Teachers open the door.  You enter by yourself."  The class of 2008 really is a group of students that has consistently entered the room of learning.

When it's truly effective, education is an integrated process.  Many observers separate the roles of learners and teachers, or students and faculty, if you prefer.  And while I value the traditions of commencement, it's also true that this perception of separation is reinforced at events such as this one.  Teachers and learners are separated this morning by the order of march, by academic garb, and by seating arrangement.  But any professor will tell you that when a class is really going well, those separations fade away.  The key is that everyone is collaborating in the learning process.

That's especially true at this university, where students and faculty work side-by-side.  This is the hallmark of a Ball State education.  We are on an intentional path to strengthening those student-faculty relationships and that spirit of collaboration.  I know our alumni value these things—because they have told me, over and over again, in e-mails, letters, phone calls, and personal meetings.

I'm especially mindful of this collaboration between learner and teacher as I look out over this group of graduates.  Let me take this opportunity to tell all of the members of Ball State's class of 2008 how proud I am of each of you and the mark you are leaving on your alma mater.  I am proud of every graduating class, of course, but I do feel a special bond with this one—because in many ways, I consider myself a member of your class.

Most of you earning your bachelor's degree today arrived on campus only days after I did in August 2004.  My husband and I helped you move into your residence hall.  When I delivered my first freshman convocation speech, you were the audience.  As a group, we discussed Eric Schlosser's book, "Fast Food Nation," the transformation of our society into a homogenized series of malls and fast-food restaurants, and the widening gap between rich and poor Americans.

Our common experiences weren't limited to those few days in August 2004.  Think of the many changes we've seen together on campus—the expansion of the popular Late Nite program, the development of the Greek Life Strategic Plan, the return of the bicycle race.  That race occurs on McKinley Avenue, a road that looks completely different than when we arrived on campus.  We attended the first game at the newly renovated Scheumann Stadium, and you were among the thousands of students I saw when I introduced Dave Letterman to that large crowd when we dedicated the building in his name last September.  We have experienced much together, so I do feel that I'm a member of your class.  But today, our four years together come to an end.

You have been a crucial part of one of the most memorable periods in Ball State's history.  I spend much of my time meeting with alumni, business and community leaders, legislators, and reporters all around the state—in fact, across the country.  Without exception, they recognize that something special is happening here.  They describe Ball State as a university on the move.  They are impressed with our bold new strategic plan and how much of it has already been implemented in just the first year of its five-year span.

As you know, we have made immersive learning the cornerstone of what we do here.  The strategic plan emphasizes our intent to make immersive learning experiences available to all of our students.  We simply could not have done this without your leadership and commitment to immersive learning.

Our faculty members, administrators, and professional staff worked very hard during the strategic plan process, but you are the ones who brought it to life.  You have shown how much you value the unique immersive learning experiences made available to you.

Youcreated an award-winning filmmaking course in the virtual online world, built art installations on the White River, wrote and produced radio programs discussing issues of poverty, and formed a dinner theatre here in Muncie.  You created a nationally recognized environmental video game for schoolchildren, organized and mapped a culinary trail along Interstate 69, improved the efficiency of government services here in Delaware County and other Indiana counties, and wrote and produced DVDs to help Latino families find the resources to send their children to college.  You compiled a crisis communications protocol for the state of Indiana, recommended ways for Indiana charter schools to maximize the use of their space, found an award-winning solution for the Indianapolis International Airport's computer network design, and developed interactive television for iPhone and iTouch devices.

In short, after your teachers opened the doors, you consistently entered the room of learning.  Your immersive learning projects have made a difference in the lives of communities and businesses across the state.    Your efforts have been noticed by many who are spreading the good news about Ball State and its talented students. 

Our strategic plan includes many outcome measurements—as it should—to keep Ball State moving boldly into the future.  For people you will meet, however, you will be the ultimate outcome measurement.  You will be living proof of the value of a Ball State education.  Wherever life takes you, you join the ranks of more than 140,000 fellow alumni and become a Ball State ambassador.   In doing so, you provide the most powerful endorsement of who we are and what we do.

Today, we have gathered to honor your academic achievement and to show our pride in your accomplishments.  We have symbolized your new status in the world of learning by granting you degrees.  I now wish to recognize two other groups. 

Members of the graduating class, I present to you for recognition the faculty who today wear academic regalia in a centuries-old tradition as a symbol of their commitment to teaching and to the search for truth.  Our society has charged them to create, preserve, and transmit the accumulated wisdom of mankind to each new generation.  Your graduation reflects their commitment.  Will the faculty please stand.  Please join with me in indicating our gratitude.  Thank you.  Please be seated.

There is another very special group of people whom we want to recognize and thank.  Members of the graduating class, these individuals have provided you with counsel, friendship, support, and encouragement during your years of study here.  Your graduation reflects their love and pride in you.  Will the parents, spouses, relatives, friends, and sponsors of the graduates please stand and be recognized.  We are very pleased to have all of you here today to share the joy of this occasion.  You may be seated.

Graduates, rest assured that those of us on campus are always rooting for your continued success.  I look forward to hearing all of the success stories from those I have come to know so well.  And I also look forward to sharing with you stories about Ball State's continued success, which will be based on the foundation that you worked so hard to build.

On behalf of the Ball State University Alumni Association, I welcome each of you into our alumni ranks.  Please stay in touch.  Keep us informed about the changes and achievements in your life, and remember that the Alumni Association is always ready—indeed, eager—to hear from you.  Know that you are always welcome here on campus, whether for a visit, a committee meeting, a class reunion, homecoming, an athletic contest, or even to continue your learning process.

I offer each of you my hearty congratulations on your accomplishments to this point and my sincere best wishes for your future endeavors.  Thank you for all you have done for Ball State University; you are forever Cardinals!   Enjoy the rest of this special day with your friends and family.