Following Ball State’s State of the University address, members of the Ball State community and Muncie expressed their views on what Ball State’s news president had to say.
Paul Ferguson said his address was based off of discussions he’s had with multiple departments and members of the Ball State community.
“I particularly value that he has visited so many departments on campus and truly used the information gleaned in those meetings to inform the priorities discussed,” said Denise Seabert, chairperson of the department of physiology and health science. “His dedication to our faculty, staff, students and community are evident.”
Thomas Jordan, chairperson of the physics and astronomy department, has been at Ball State through multiple presidents and said Ferguson’s openness is refreshing.
“I think from what I’ve gathered so far, he’s very open,” he said. “What I saw today and heard today I liked. It’s hard to get used to that after time. I’ve been through four or five presidents.”
The three main goals of Ferguson’s plan includes a focus on students, the community and a university-wide push on research.
“It makes me very hopeful going forward,” said Kelli Huth, director of Building Better Communities Fellows program. “I think he’s willing to engage a lot of people in the conversation of what kinds of things we need to make things happen.”
Ferguson’s plan also means to better ties with the city of Muncie by encouraging students to be more involved through projects and their classwork.
“I know Muncie cannot be successful without a strong Ball State University,” said Muncie Mayor Dennis Tyler. “I believe President Ferguson also knows that in order for Ball State to be successful, they need a strong Muncie around them.”
Since 2006, Ball State has implemented more than 100 immersive learning projects that have worked with members of the community, according to Ferguson’s State of the University presentation.
But Ball State’s president said immersive learning is not inclusive enough.
Jennifer Blackmer, director of immersive learning, said less than 30 percent of Ball State students participate in immersive learning projects.
Ferguson’s goal is to rethink the idea into “entrepreneurial learning,” and increasing students’ focus on partnerships with local businesses and communities.
“I think it is an outstanding plan because I believe it focuses on what is important to the State of Indiana,” said Rick Hall, chair of the Ball State board of trustees. “Really it’s the taxpayers that invest in Ball State. And they expect us to produce graduates to have an impact on the economy and to move forward our communities in Indiana.”
To Hall, it encompasses the idea of immersive learning, but on a larger scale.
“It’s an evolution trying to capitalize on what we already emphasize, and that is producing students who work together with other students,” he said. “That is what an entrepreneur has to do to be successful.”
The hands-on projects are also important for better equipping students to get a professional job, said Kyle Pierce, student member of the board of trustees.
“You as a student can do a job and have true experience, before you get the degree, that many universities do not have,” he said. “So when you go to that job interview and they say ‘Why should we hire you?’ you say ‘I’ve already done most of the things that you’ll have me do.”
On a wider view, the entrepreneurial approach also offers Ball State an opportunity to figure out its niche within Indiana.
“I think what’s excited me about his comments is that for a number of years, I’ve been asking myself ‘What does it mean to be a Ball State man?’ said Hollis E. Hughes Jr., member of the board of trustees. “You know, there’s a Harvard man and a Yale man, but what does it mean to be a Ball State man? Well maybe he’s given us the answer to that, to be entrepreneurial.”
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