State of the Schools event takes place May 8 at Southside Middle School. Andrew Berger, DN

Community Celebrates Hopeful Future for Muncie Schools at State of the Schools

Community members, Muncie Community Schools (MCS) faculty and Ball State University faculty gathered at Southside Middle School May 8 for the first inaugural “State of the Schools” event. The occasion, which featured a buffet and live music, marked the first open community meeting to discuss the 2018 partnership between MCS and Ball State.


A robot built by Brian DeRome’s students sits ready to go March 19 at Muncie Southside Middle School. Once built the robots are used to collect blocks and put them in a basket. Andrew Berger, DN

Muncie Southside’s robotics team fosters STEM learning

After a school day ends at Muncie Southside Middle School, most students return home, but a select few enter Brian DeRome’s classroom to learn about robotics.They wander in to the white-covered brick classroom, with chatty conversation about homework assignments and the upcoming practice. 


Dave Largent poses for a portrait in his office Sept. 26. Amber Pietz, DN

From Social Work to Computer Work

Though Dave Largent initially secured a social work major in college, he has made a career out of computer science. Largent won the 2022 Ball State University Most Outstanding Faculty Award due to his work for the university and with local K-12 schools.


Ball State professor Kate Elliot talks to her class about creating bookmarks for United Way: Day of Action Sept. 1. Elliot is on the board of this foundation and is looking to introduce it to her students by having them participate in making inspirational bookmarks. Meghan Sawitzke, DN

A Helping Hand

Ball State’s Office of Community Engagement holds its annual Day of Action Friday, Sept. 9, to help Delaware and surrounding counties with providing basic necessities. 


Josie Santiago, DN Illustration

Safety in the Schoolyard

With August comes a new school year, and schools in Muncie are or will soon be filled with students of all ages, in cafeterias, at bus stops and in school hallways. Families may ask for bus drop-off and pick up times and how the cafeteria works, but they may also ask – ‘will my loved one be safe?’







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