"...we prepare for an uncertain future from a position of strength."
My passion for our mission is why I am grateful for the opportunity to begin my ninth academic year as the president of Ball State University. Today, and every day, it is my great good fortune to serve as your president.
As I prepared my remarks, I reflected on the past eight years. I was reminded of that adage—“the only constant is change.”
Some changes we’ve experienced—like receiving $35 million from the Lilly Endowment—have been for the good. Other changes—like enduring a global pandemic—significantly disrupted our operations. In higher education, we are now facing some—“emerging challenges.”
I’ll speak more about that later.
But first, let’s celebrate our successes—and appreciate the transformative impact that we have on our students and the communities that we serve. Because we prepare for an uncertain future from a position of strength.
"These three Carnegie classifications are an external validation of what we know to be true—that Ball State is one of only a very small number of institutions in the country that excels across all three aspects of our mission."
Last year, we conferred approximately 5,000 degrees and credentials. In the five years since the onset of the pandemic, we have conferred more than 31,000 degrees and credentials.
That impressive number is a measure of the impact of your work. And Senator Alexander, as you know, approximately 80 percent of the women and men who earned a bachelor’s degree at Ball State stay in Indiana to work, to live, and to serve other Hoosiers. We are proud to be the public research university in Indiana that is committed to serving the people and the taxpayers of Indiana.
The distinction is our recent classification by the Carnegie Foundation as an “Opportunity College and University.”
To receive this designation, Carnegie calculated two objective factors.
First, does your student body reflect the state’s demographics? That is, are you providing access to a representative student population, including First Gen and Pell-eligible students?
Second, do your graduates, eight years after graduation, earn on average at least 50 percent more compared to people in your state without a college degree? That is, can the institution demonstrate a significant positive return on investment?
We met both criteria. We are the only public institution in Indiana to receive this new designation from Carnegie. And we are one of just 27 colleges and universities in the country—and the only institution in Indiana—public or private—to earn this designation in combination with our designation as a doctoral university with high research activity—an R2 institution.
These two designations are impressive. But we are also one of just 14 institutions in the country to also earn Carnegie’s Community Engagement classification.
These three Carnegie classifications are an external validation of what we know to be true—that Ball State is one of only a very small number of institutions in the country that excels across all three aspects of our mission.
We provide transformational educational experiences to our students.
We engage in research, scholarship, and creative endeavors that enhance our teaching and improve the lives of other people.
And we support the communities that we serve.
That’s the educational Triple Crown. Please give yourselves and your colleagues a round of applause.
"...when we demonstrate to students the value of a relationship-rich education, it also inspires them to return to campus as graduates to share those experiences with our current students."
when we demonstrate to students the value of a relationship-rich education, it also inspires them to return to campus as graduates to share those experiences with our current students.
This past year, many graduates have returned to our University to do just that. I want to tell you about two of them.
When I asked Kayla Davion if she would speak at our Commencement in May, she graciously—and enthusiastically—accepted my invitation.
Kayla is a Broadway star. She’s also a 2017 graduate who started an alumni ambassador program in our Department of Theater and Dance—the same department that gave her the confidence to pursue her professional dreams.
While she was back on campus, Kayla told me how her Ball State degree continues to advance her career. She said: “In many audition rooms I walk into, they always say, “Oh my gosh, you went to Ball State!” I’ve only heard people speak highly of the school and its people. They recognize us by our humanity. I think that’s important. It’s gotten me through many doors—not only because of the resources it provides, but because people there are a prime example of hard work and kindness.”
Hard work and kindness. That’s you. That’s us.
"The foundation of our collective resolve resides in the enduring value of our mission."
The foundation of our collective resolve resides in the enduring value of our mission. We must persist, because our work is so meaningful. So important. In my estimation, the work that we do on this campus has never been as important as it is right now.
And my confidence and courage springs from my faith in all of you—our faculty and our staff. I embrace each day with hope and optimism, because I have the good fortune to serve you.
I know that our future is bright—that our best days are yet to come.
I know these things to be true, because I know you.