On Saturday July 24, 1,232 students will become Ball State University graduates, and police say security is a priority.
University Police Sergeant Steve Hiatt said the UPD will have plenty of officers as a security precaution.
"We have officers assigned both inside and outside," Hiatt said. "We'll be directing automobile traffic as well as pedestrian traffic."
Commencement Coordinator Sharon Woodruff said that more students are beginning to graduating in the summer.
"Enrollment is starting to gradually go up, so we're starting to see an increase in the number of summer graduates," Woodruff said.
This year, the ceremony will include 621 students receiving bachelor's degrees, 525 receiving their masters, 56 receiving associate degrees, and 30 receiving doctoral or specialist in education degrees.
Ramon Avila, Ball State marketing professor and recipient of the George and Frances Distinguished Professor of Marketing award, is the keynote speaker at this year's summer commencement.
Avila, who has been a professor at Ball State for 22 years, plans to speak about the importance of a positive mental attitude in life after college.
"If you have the right attitude, your dreams can come true," Avila said. "Each day you wake up and have a decision to make. Ether you are going to be positive or you're going to be negative. It's your choice."
Avila will include past graduates of Ball State and the marketing program in his speech as examples of students who have achieved their goals. Stand-out graduates include a Ball State graduate who is now in charge of the Wal-Mart account with Hershey and Olympian Phil Eatherton.
"Phil Eatherton was a marketing major here," Avila said." In the beginning of his volleyball career, an Olympic coach told him to give up, but he didn't. He became an Olympian."
Avila said a positive mental attitude is just as important for freshmen and incoming students as it is for seniors leaving the university.
"It takes persistence to make it through college," Avila said." It's easy to give up. "
Avila said his favorite part about teaching is being in the classroom with students.
"It's fun to see them learning new things as well as challenging me," Avila said. "That's the reason I didn't go into administration; teaching is what it's all about. E-mail makes it easier to keep in touch with my students who have graduated."
Avila said Ball State's size is of benefit to students. He said he takes pride in in being both a good teacher and a good researcher, roles that often are unattainable at larger or smaller schools.
"We're a decent size for a university, but most of our classes - especially at the junior and senior levels - are small," Avila said. "I know all my students by name. "
The Avilas have been involved with the university in several ways over the years.
"My father taught math here for 34 years," Avila said. "My brother taught here for 11 years, my wife is a BSU grad and taught here for four years; we think it's a great university."
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