Institutional Initiatives, President's Office

Building Better Communities – Ball State University has a long history of working at the local level to foster economic development and improve quality of life in Indiana. In support of this activity, the Indiana Legislature provided Ball State with $2.4 million in the 2003-2005 budget to pursue projects that match Ball State's expertise, applied research capability, and services with the needs of communities around the state. View Web site.

Business Fellows – Funded by a $1.5 million grant from Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment Inc., the Business Fellows Program links teams of students, supervising faculty members, and businesses or organizations in projects that help the partner businesses improve services, increase business, develop new job opportunities, improve quality, or improve competitiveness. Through the program, students develop business experience and connections that increase the likelihood of them pursuing employment in Indiana after graduation.

Inauguration Scholarships - Forgoing a traditional inauguration ceremony, President Gora used the $150,000 saved, plus additional funds provided by donors, to present scholarships to 25 Indiana high school students of high ability. Learn more about the inauguration scholars and donors.

Strategic Planning - President Gora has charged a task force respresenting faculty, staff, students, and administrators to draft a new strategic plan to carry the university through 2010. The plan will build upon the momentum Ball State has achieved while bringing new focus to ensuring the university's distinctiveness.