Learn more about whale sharks

Because they aren’t predatory creatures, whale sharks don’t have the same bloodthirsty reputation as their kin. Yet, the whale shark is the biggest shark in the ocean. During Earth Day, and every day, we celebrate these majestic creatures. 



An aerial shot shows the property at 1200 W. 8th St. previously owned by RACER Trust and General Electric. The City of Muncie bought this property Jan. 26, 2021 and will install a solar field on the 53 acres. City of Muncie, Photo Provided
NEWS

Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour's Green Agenda

Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour has developed plans to better the local environment, including many ideas to bring beauty back into the community. Ridenour discussed his plans March 22 for establishing pollinator fields throughout the city. Butterflies, flowers, other wildlife and insects will be able to populate in these natural spaces without being mown over. City employees are currently looking for five-acre plots for these fields.


Kelsey Pavelka reads with students in her class April 16, 2021, in West View Elementary School. Pavelka is a teacher in the Dual Language Immersion Program, which teaches students Spanish and English simultaneously to foster early language development. Andy Klotz, Photo Provided
NEWS

West View Elementary School teaches students English and Spanish at the same time

Vibrant colors of orange, yellow, green and red cover the walls from floor to ceiling in forms of flags, posters and papel picados. Cubbies line the walls and desks are spread out like a typical elementary school classroom, but, sticking true to the program, there are hardly any English words displayed. Instead, they are replaced by a buzz of activity from the teacher reading in Spanish to the excited chatter of the students. This is what it’s like to walk into Kelsey Pavelka’s elementary dual language immersion classroom.


Janet Fick, associate lecturer of construction management, poses for a photo April 19, 2021, outside the David Letterman Communication and Media Building. Fick has been the instructor for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Lab since its creation in 2015. Jaden Whiteman, DN
NEWS

A look inside Ball State's commitment to energy-efficient buildings

The Applied Technology Building isn’t a very impressive structure from the standpoint of height. Most mornings, it is quite literally in the shadow of the Teachers College. Yet there is one aspect of the Applied Technology Building that sets it apart from most other buildings on campus — it is one of only seven buildings on campus with a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold rating. 



Rhonda Ward, MCS director of diversity and assistant principal at Muncie Central High School takes a phone call in her office April 14, 2021, at Muncie Central High School. Ward was born and raised in Muncie and found herself moving back after graduating from Tennessee State University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Jacob Musselman, DN
NEWS

Rhonda Ward makes strides in promoting diversity in Muncie Community Schools

At the bottom of every email she sends, Rhonda Ward closes with a quote from Vice President Kamala Harris: “Our unity is our strength, and diversity is our power.” As assistant principal of Muncie Central High School and Muncie Community Schools’ (MCS) newest director of diversity, Ward starts every day with the power of diversity pushing her forward and the goal to ensure equality and equity for all MCS community members. 



The federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) began as the food stamps program in 1939. Traditionally, students would only be able to receive SNAP benefits if they met certain exceptions, but eligibility has been temporarily expanded to students during the COVID-19 pandemic for those with financial need. Wikimedia Commons, Photo Courtesy
NEWS

Ball State community shares resources available for relieving food insecurity

Like most other Americans following the sharp increase of unemployment rates during the COVID-19 pandemic, Lilyana Salazar’s work situations have changed. Salazar, senior biology major, is the executive director of Cardinal Kitchen, which has expanded its operation hours to provide students with food and toiletries as more people rely on food banks and federal assistance to get the help they need.



NEWS

Landscape Architecture students bring their skills to Muncie neighborhood

Since its closure in 2017, Halteman Pool has sat empty through seasons of harsh Indiana weather. No more is the neighborhood filled with the sounds of splashing water, lifeguard whistling and kids yelling. Time and weather may have affected the appearances of the pool deck, concession stand and locker rooms, but it has not eroded the neighborhood's memory of the location. 


Ball State Press Center, Photo Courtesy
NEWS

Ball State hosts fourth peace conference

Ball State is hosting its fourth Benjamin V. Cohen Peace Conference April 9-10. The theme this year is "Building a Beloved Community," and will feature presentations, dance performances and opportunities for networking. 


North West Residence Hall is under construction April 5, 2021, near the Duck Pond. North West will feature a computer lab, study lounges, semi-private bathrooms and a MakerSpace. Jaden Whiteman, DN
NEWS

Ball State plans for new residence hall to be hub for education, humanities majors

LaFollette Residence Hall was a key structure in Ball State’s campus skyline just two years ago, casting a large shadow over the two-story Carmichael Hall close by. Now, the majority of LaFollette and all of Carmichael Hall is gone, and in their place stands the North residential neighborhood, which includes North Residence Hall and North Dining. The new residence hall will open in fall 2021.







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