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THE LIVES OF INSTITUTIONS of higher learning rarely hinge on a single event. They evolve. Dynamic institutions committed to excellence harness a particular form of energy to achieve their aspirations. It’s called momentum, defined by Webster’s as “strength gained through motion or by the development of events,” and it is evident in both a physical and perceptual sense at Ball State University. Leaders—both familiar and new—faculty, staff, students, alumni, and supporters have positioned Ball State within reach of its aspirations.

The university’s five-year strategic plan—unveiled last year—serves as a guide to sustaining the momentum that has generated recent achievements. The plan expresses the university’s vision of becoming a national model for all who seek intellectual vitality in a learner-centered and socially responsible academic community. While this vision statement may be relatively new, the foundation for achieving our goals has been in place for five years. In 1997, a critical decision was made to raise admission standards as part of a strategy to enhance the academic quality of the institution, boost retention rates, and ultimately, increase enrollment. The university demonstrated the commitment to stay the course despite initial anticipated losses in enrollment, and has now seen three consecutive years of growth, with an on-campus enrollment this year topping 18,000.

Ball State’s retention rates are also on the rise—nearly nine percent over the past five years. The increase can be attributed to the quality of our students and to our nationally recognized freshman programs. The university was recently named an “Institution of Excellence in the First College Year” by the Policy Center on the First Year of College, a national research center based in Brevard, North Carolina. Ball State’s Freshman Connections program was designed to create an experience that would provide students with the social, academic, and emotional bridge necessary for a successful transition from high school to university life. The program groups students in living and learning environments and has succeeded in building a sense of community. By taking advantage of the wide range of services offered through Freshman Connections, students find themselves making a commitment to personal learning and excellence.

A larger number of well-prepared students and the university’s dedication to ensuring their achievement have inspired the university’s faculty to create rigorous academic programs that promote interdisciplinary exchanges. These programs are designed to challenge students and to prepare them to succeed in an increasingly international and technology driven economy. These endeavors all fit into the outline of the strategic plan. The university’s progress toward reaching the goals of the plan is being measured annually to ensure the next four years exhibit continued achievement in the pursuit of academic excellence.

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