But that lead evaporated quickly.

The Waves stormed back to take a 14-12 lead and looked to score one more point to give Ball State an abrupt end to their season. Despite the odds stacked against the Cardinals, a service error by Pepperdine gave them life.

The score was 14-13, and Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) player of the year Patrick Rogers walked to the endline to serve. The senior outside hitter sent one over the net, which led to a Ball State block to tie the game at 14.

Rogers then sent two aces over the net to send Ball State to their first final four since 2022, and complete a 3-2 (25-23, 23-25, 25-22, 19-25, 16-14) win.

"I was just kind of telling myself to rip it," Rogers said.

Head Coach Mike Iandolo said that late in the fifth set, he knew that a point scored by Pepperdine would end the Cardinals' storybook season. But the head coach was confident in his star player.

"I wouldn't have anybody else but Pat on the line in that moment," Iandolo said.

The Cardinals enjoyed success in their final four games of the season, as they came into the game with four consecutive sweeps. The matchup with the Waves was the opposite of comfort for the Cardinals, as neither team truly pulled away.

Sophomore opposite Ryan Louis said in a back-and-forth match with high stakes, the team went back to their "basics."

"Even when we were down, we settled down, stuck to our basics, played our standard [and] came back and won," Louis said.

Junior setter Lucas Machado, who recorded 52 assists in the match, said the team never gave up on any of the plays, and always kept the mentality of winning the next point.

"We always believed in ourselves and we just proved to everyone that we can beat anyone in the country," Machado said.

The number four-seeded Cardinals found out April 27 that they would host the regional matchup, one that would send the winner to the Final Four in Los Angeles, California.

Ball State's commencement happened to fall on the weekend of the game, so the Cardinals had to shift to The Arena at Innovation Mile in Noblesville, Indiana to host the regional matchup. The team was not able to play in Worthen Arena, a place where they have played their best volleyball all season, only losing once in Muncie.

Despite the Cardinals playing on a different home court than usual, the Ball State faithful showed out, with over a thousand fans packing the Noblesville Arena to support the team's run to glory.

"We've had great fan support all year," Iandolo said. "I love that they traveled down here, [and] I just love that that many fans showed out for men's volleyball here in Indiana."

Louis said that the team plays for the fans as much as they play for themselves. He said the team has fed off the fans' support all season, and it showed in Noblesville.

"The energy we get from the crowd is what helps us play," Louis said.

The 2025 Cardinals fell in the quarterfinals of the MIVA tournament. One year later, Ball State is heading to Los Angeles to play in the final four. Machado was a part of last year's squad, and he said the team talked to each other in the offseason and learned from last season's woes.

Rogers said there were even a couple points this season where the team could have spiraled like they did last season, but he said the group always stayed "together."

"It doesn't happen this year without last year," Rogers said.

Depth has been key for the Cardinals all season, and it especially showed in the win over Pepperdine. Five Cardinals' players recorded five kills or more, with three players in double digits.

"We don't have the success we do without the depth that we have in the competition," Iandolo said. "I know I can rely on [them] in big moments."

The win over Pepperdine gave Ball State its first non-consolation NCAA tournament match win since 1973. Louis described the win as a "core memory" for him and the Cardinals.

"A day like today, I'm never gonna forget about that," Louis said.

Machado said he and the team are still trying to "process" what happened after winning the match and advancing to the Final Four. The setter said he "does not even remember" how the game ended, he just knows the Cardinals came out on top.

Iandolo and the Cardinals' players have talked all season about their three goals: winning the regular season MIVA title, winning the MIVA tournament and winning the national championship.

The Cardinals have completed two of their goals and are now one step closer to fulfilling all three.

"If we play our standard, and [play] the level that we're able to play, I don't think there's a team that could beat us in the country," Rogers said."

The Cardinals will take on the University of California Irvine May 9 in Los Angeles.

Contact Kyle Stout with questions via email at kyle.stout@bsu.edu or on X @kylestoutdailyn.

At the stroke of 10 a.m., the ceremony began with Ball State Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Anand Marri with words of welcome, followed by the Posting of the Colors and signing of The National Anthem.

University President Geoffrey Mearns then took to the podium to bestow two honors. Mearns honored Ball State 1989 alumni and current board of trustee member Rick Hall with "our university's highest honor, The President's Medal of distinction.

During his time at Ball State, Hall graduated Summa Cum Laude and "was an outstanding student, and he was an outstanding student athlete" while playing basketball for the Cardinals, Mearns said.

After recognizing Hall, Mearns then invited actor Hugh Jackman to the podium to receive an honorary doctoratal arts degree.

"Mr. Jackman, in honoring you today, our university recognizes your lifetime accomplishments as an artist and as a philanthropist. With this degree, we recognize our shared belief as individuals and as an institution, that communities are strengthened by the arts and the stories we experience, the stories that unite us, and if we let them, those stories can change our lives," Mearns said.

Upon receiving the doctoral honor, Jackman kicked off his commencement address to the graduating class of Spring 2026.

"G'day, Ball State," Jackman began in a thick, tongue-in-cheek Australian accent.

"I've been asked countless of times to give a speech like this over the years, and I have always said 'no,' because the money just was never really good enough," Jackman joked.

"No, but I never felt ready. 'Give me a few more years,' I would think to myself [because] you only really get one shot in, roughly, 10 minutes-although, let's be honest-anybody who knows me knows this is probably going longer than 10 minutes, right, Dr. [Sutton] Foster?

"You get this short window to summarize the meaning of life, how to live it to its fullest - and then that lives online forever. It's a lot of pressure, and I don't know you guys."

As cheers and laughter came from the audience periodically as Jackman gave anecdotes from his early career, a recurring theme emerged as he reminded the graduating class of the importance of taking chances, emphasizing the unpredictability of life.

"What brings you pleasure? What is going to fuel you when you have to work unbelievably hard - which you will - you're welcome parents. [What is going to fuel you] when you have to face fear and doubt and loneliness and failure - which you will? What lights you up? What is burning inside of you?" Jackman asked.

He added, "The great Joseph Campbell said, 'There is, perhaps, nothing worse than reaching the top of the ladder and discovering you're on the wrong wall. " Your heart [and] a little voice inside will tell you what the right wall is, what the right ladder is for you. I wish every single one of you a life of adventure, surprise, delight and bold, glorious failures and successes, [along with] great friendships and love. Above all, [I wish you] the deep satisfaction that you are living your own life - yours - because no one can take that away from you."

As Jackman's speech concluded, Robin Phelps-Ward, the associate dean of Ball State's Graduate School, took to the stage to honor students graduating with their respective doctoral degrees.

The ceremony concluded with closing remarks from Mearns. "I hope that Ball State will be in your heart, that Benny will be your guide, and I hope that you will share my passion and pride in this exceptional university. On behalf of the entire university community, I wish all of our graduates good luck and Godspeed," Mearns said as he prompted the graduates to flip their tassels.

Respective ceremonies for individual colleges will begin as early as 12:30 p.m. May 2. Detailed times and locations for those ceremonies can be found online.

RELATED: Ball State University spring 2026 commencement details

Contact Katherine Hill via email at katherine.hill@bsu.edu.

Ball State is home to the nation's largest ground-source, closed-loop district geothermal energy system, according to its website. With construction beginning in May 2009, the process took nearly six years to complete, with the final stage being wrapped up in 2015. However, by March 2014, there was sufficient geothermal capacity to stop burning coal on campus.

Ball State was burning nearly 10,000 tons of coal a year, using almost 40-year-old equipment. Former Ball State University President, Jo Ann Gora, watched as the machinery continued to age and environmental regulations tightened. Jo Ann said she knew something had to change.

The "easiest path" would have been natural gas, the most common heating and cooling system practice in the country, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Residential Energy Consumption Survey; however Jo Ann had already signed the Talloires Declaration.

The declaration is "the first official statement made by university presidents, chancellors, and rectors of a commitment to environmental sustainability in higher education." Its 10-point action plan aims to incorporate sustainability and environmental literacy, and has been signed by over 500 university leaders in over 50 countries.

"If the closed-loop geothermal system worked, it would be a milestone in reducing our carbon footprint and HVAC costs, long term," Jo Ann said.

The decision did not just have environmental benefits, something Jo Ann said was also on her mind when approaching the project.

Given the fact that the system is one-of-one, visitors were coming from both in and outside of the country to get a better understanding of the system and the construction process. The project also functioned as an immersive learning experience for students on campus.

Professor of Geological Sciences Klaus Neumann said a few of the boreholes, a hole dug deep into the ground that works within the geothermal system, were drilled specifically for the department. This allowed students to observe, monitor and graph different data points.

Jo Ann said that in her 10 years as university president, the geothermal project was one of many ways she tried to set Ball State apart from other universities.

"Just [as] introducing immersive learning as the hallmark of our undergraduate education had put us on the map in Indiana and in the country, I knew installing the geothermal system could do the same thing for us," Jo Ann said.

The benefits of implementing the geothermal system were also financial.

Klaus, who monitored groundwater near the bore fields during construction, noted that natural gas prices were climbing in the early 2000s when the decision to switch to geothermal was being made.

He implied that because Ball State had not known that an increase in national drilling for fracking would soon be made, and completely flip the price of natural gas, the geothermal system was the university's best option.

Jim Lowe, who served as Ball State's associate vice president for facilities planning and management, oversaw every phase of construction on the project. He described the system as "a big bank account" for heat, one that sits at a steady 55 degrees year-round.

Jim said that the geothermal system functions by taking advantage of storing thermal energy.

In the summer, excess heat pulled from campus buildings gets deposited into the ground through the geothermal systems' network of pipes. In the winter, that stored energy is withdrawn and used to warm those same buildings.

Jim said it is the same principle as the refrigerator in your house, moving heat from one place to another, rather than creating cold from scratch, which is why the back of your refrigerator is warm.

Ball State's geothermal equipment works as a vertical closed-loop system that uses fresh water. 3,600 boreholes make up the system, each 6 inches in diameter and ranging between just 4-500 feet deep, almost five times the height of the university's Teachers College.

Klaus, who monitored groundwater near the bore fields during construction, explained that the ground beneath the university is made up of three distinct layers, each with their own degree of difficulty to move water through.

At the top sits glacial drift, a mix of sand, gravel and boulders from retreating glaciers during the last Ice Age, spanning anywhere from just 5 to 50 feet deep. The next layer below is dense shale, tightly packed and somewhat impermeable, meaning water cannot pass through it at all.

Deeper than that, hundreds of feet down, are beds of limestone, fractured and riddled with cracks and small caves, allowing groundwater to flow freely. Water conducts heat more efficiently than dry rock, making the limestone layer an ideal medium for the closed-loop pipes.

"Groundwater moves through cracks and crevices down here, and it pretty much freely flows through here, because there's sand in here," Klaus said. "... If you want to transfer heat, you love to have water, because within water, you move heat much faster."

Additionally, each borehole contains piping that combines for a total of 5,280,000 feet, laid traveling down each borehole and back up. These boreholes connect to one another and two on-campus energy stations.

Presently, the soccer field on the north end of campus looks like any other, but during the system's construction, Klaus described it as looking like a "moon landscape."

Trucks moved across torn-up parts of the earth, while around ten drilling rigs ran simultaneously, each individual borehole taking days to complete.

"It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to install a system that large, that big…It was a very daunting, exciting, strategic endeavor," Jim said. "...I knew at the end, Ball State would have a system they could be proud of for decades to come."

While geothermal benefits Ball State's campus, it does not come without complications.

The system was designed to function within a climate that has changed since construction began. Warmer winters mean less heat needs to be pulled from the ground and hotter summers push more heat in. This means the university has to supplement the system with gas-driven equipment to help manage the difference.

The pipes beneath campus have a long life expectancy and equipment inside the plants can be replaced and upgraded. Jim pointed to the original coal boilers, installed in 1941 and used for nearly six decades, as a reference point to how long things can last when they are cared for.

The system, he said, will run until someone comes up with something better.

This article is a part of Ball Bearings Spring 2026 magazine: Waves. Read more stories online at cardinalmediabsu.com and pick up the print edition of the magazine across Ball State's campus now.

During the meeting, the board unanimously approved a resolution authorizing Board Chair, Brian Gallagher, to offer an amended employment agreement to University President Geoffrey Mearns, extending his role as Ball State's President through June 30, 2029.

According to a May 1 press release from Ball State University that followed the meeting,Board Vice Chair, Julie Griffith, reflected on the many and sustained accomplishments of President Mearns through his time as president.

"President Mearns is an exceptional leader. His tireless dedication and passion for Ball State elevates our University and strengthens our mission to serve our students, employees, alumni, community members, and the State of Indiana," Griffith said.

Board Chair Gallagher emphasized Griffith's appreciation for Mearns' work, as documented in the press release.

RELATED: Brian Gallagher elected chair of Ball State's Board of Trustees

"The Board deeply appreciates and recognizes the outstanding work completed by President Mearns over the last nine years, and we are delighted for the opportunity to extend his time with us as our [university] president," Gallagher said.

Mearns thanked the board for their continued faith in his leadership.

"I am grateful to the Board for giving me the opportunity to continue my service, and I am grateful to the faculty, staff, students, and graduates for their guidance, their encouragement and their support," he said.

The board's new committee meeting will be Sept. 12 at 9 a.m. inside the he university's L.A Pittenger Student Cardinal Hall A.

Contact The Daily News via email at editor@bsudailynews.com.

Is your spare change worth thousands? The members of the Muncie Coin & Stamp Club, the largest Coin & Stamp Club in Indiana, could tell you.

The club last met April 15 for its monthly meeting. This largely consisted of an auction, with both buyers and sellers present, looking to either sell a piece of history or add one to their collection.

Walking onto Ball State's campus my first year of college did not feel unfamiliar. Instead, it felt like stepping into something I had already been a part of my entire life.

Before I ever sat in a classroom, before I ever met print deadlines as the editor-in-chief for The Ball State Daily News, or even introduced myself as a journalism major, Ball State was already a huge part of my story.

My dad walked these same paths on campus decades ago.

He graduated from Ball State in 1992 with a degree in teaching. My older brother graduated a few years before me, graduating in 2023 with a degree in physical education teaching. I spent my first year on campus with him, and he helped get me adjusted to college and introduced me to some lifelong friends. Before I officially became a student, I was already connected to Ball State in so many different ways.

Being a third-generation student has shaped how I understand this university and my place within it.

Growing up, Ball State was always a huge part of my life. My family visited the campus every year to watch a football game. We would stay overnight for the weekend, and my dad would take us on tours around campus. It was the first time I learned what Frog Baby was, and it was the first time I learned that Bracken Library was built to look like a stack of books. It was the first time I experienced what my future would soon look like.

Ball State also showed up in the stories my dad would tell about him and his college roommates, and in the way my family talked about college in general. It was not just another Indiana university to us. It was a place where my dad and brother found amazing opportunities and where their lives started to take shape.

And I wanted that too.

So when it came time to choose where I would pursue my undergraduate degree, it was not like I was starting from scratch. It felt like I had the opportunity to continue something that had already been set in motion long before I was born.

Of course, I wanted to go to Ball State because I grew to love journalism in high school, and Ball State's journalism program was the best one out of the schools I had been accepted to.

However, there was also something that seemed so perfect about continuing my family's legacy at Ball State.

But there is definitely something intimidating about following in the footsteps of people you have looked up to your whole life, and I could not help but wonder if my experience would measure up to theirs. I wondered if I would find the same sense of belonging, the same success and the same meaning that Ball State had given to my dad and my brother.

I questioned whether or not I would live up to what this place had already come to represent in my family.

What I can say is that my Ball State experience has been entirely mine.

Over the past four years, it has been shaped by long nights in the newsroom and many moments of uncertainty and growth that only happen when you are pushed outside your comfort zone. It has been filled with friends who feel like family, conversations that have changed how I think about life, professors who have challenged me to do better and opportunities that I did not even know existed when I first arrived on campus.

It has not always been easy, though. There were moments when I felt overwhelmed, questioned my path and had to figure out a lot of things on my own. But in those moments, I realized something really important: being a part of a legacy means building my own version of what Ball State means.

For me, that has been through journalism.

Through storytelling and covering moments that impact students and the Delaware County community, I have been a part of something bigger than myself. It is where I found more of my voice, and not just as a writer but also as a person. It is where I learned how to lead and how to take responsibility for the work I have put out into the world.

But even as I have created my own path, I still feel connected to what my family has left behind for me.

There is something really powerful about walking across campus and knowing that the same place shaped my dad years ago and my brother more recently. That the same halls, the same college traditions and the same sense of possibility existed for them, too.

As I graduate with my bachelor's this year, I have found myself thinking a lot more about that connection. About what it means to graduate from a place that has been a part of my life for so long, even before I officially became a student here.

For many people, graduation marks the end of their college story. It is a closing chapter and a moment of finality before moving on to something new.

For me, it does not feel like an ending, and it never has. It feels like a continuation.

Ball State has never just been four years of my life. It has been part of my family's story ever since I can remember. It existed before I got here, and it will exist after I leave. And I know I will always be connected to it.

When I graduate, I will be leaving with a deeper appreciation for what it means to be part of something that extends beyond just me. And while my time as an undergraduate student comes to an end, the connection I have with my family because of Ball State does not.

Being a Ball State student, at least for me, was always about carrying on my family's legacy while also carving my own path in the process, and I could not be more grateful for the life I have lived because of it.

Contact Meghan Braddy via email at meghan.braddy@bsu.edu.

But Rogers also played basketball and baseball, so volleyball was new to him. He originally thought he would play college basketball, but his newfound love for volleyball changed his mind.

"I went and played and then just really fell in love with it and still have," Rogers said.

When Rogers decided to play collegiate volleyball, he went to St. Francis College, a school not too far from his hometown of Rutherford, New Jersey. He had a successful freshman campaign, as he was selected as the Northeast Conference (NEC) freshman of the year and made the NEC first team.

But Rogers' career at St. Francis Brooklyn was quickly cut short.

"They cut all their athletic programs," Rogers said.

Every student athlete at the school had to decide on the next step, but luckily for Rogers, he was still a freshman with three more years of college eligibility.

"I knew I wanted to keep playing, and I was lucky enough to get the opportunity from Donan [Cruz] to come out and watch me during U21 training when I was out in California," Rogers said.

Ball State Men's Volleyball's former head coach, Donan Cruz, offered Rogers a spot on the team. The outside hitter accepted and started his career at Ball State in his sophomore year. He immediately made an impact in his new home, starting all 21 matches he appeared in, tallying 269 kills and hitting at a .361 hit percentage.

The success Rogers had in his sophomore season at Ball State gave him the opportunity to play for the USA collegiate team and collegiate national beach team. Rogers said the transition from college to the national team was similar to his transition from high school to college, with the level of play increasing.

He said there were so many "unbelievable" players at that level, and that the experience in itself transformed his play on the court.

" Probably the biggest reason for my improvement in volleyball is the talent there and how awesome it is," Rogers said.

His junior season was a big improvement over his sophomore season, as he started in 29 of 30 matches he appeared in and nearly doubled his kills, recording 363 on the season. The outside hitter had another big opportunity to showcase his skills on a national level, as his junior year play landed him on the 2025 Men's U23 National Team and the Beach Collegiate National Team.

Rogers said the opportunity to play with players all across the country in Puerto Rico and Guatemala created "memories he'll never forget."

"It's just something you never really forget and [you] build a really strong bond that week," Rogers said.

In his senior season, Rogers has had his best year to date. April 16, he was selected to the All-Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (All-MIVA) first team, but that was not the end of his accolades. Rogers was also selected as the MIVA player of the year.

Rogers said that Iandolo brought the whole team in a huddle after practice, and announced the All-MIVA first and second teams. Rogers said Iandolo brought him out last and honored him with the award in front of the rest of the team.

"It was awesome just to celebrate with them; they got all excited," Rogers said. "It really can't happen without them. It is their award just as much as it is mine."

Rogers said that his experience with the USA national team prepared him to have a season like this. He said he felt he could bring an All-MIVA level to this Cardinals' squad.

"I'm just happy I could be a little part of it," Rogers said.

What Rogers also found at Ball State was a sense of community. He said the competition aspect of volleyball at Ball State has been easy because it is like "going to battle with your best friends."

"We were close at St. Francis, but it's nothing like how it is here," Rogers said. "We're all best friends and [we] hang out all the time.

Sophomore outside hitter Wil Basilio has played the same position as Rogers for two years, and he said that while he has learned a lot from Rogers on the court, a big takeaway has been how to act off the court.

"The biggest thing he's taught me in my time spent with him is just the importance of being a good person on top of a good player," Basilio said.

Rogers entered the program in senior setter Griffin Satterfield's sophomore season, and Satterfield said it has been awesome to be around Rogers the past three years and see the growth he has had.

Satterfield described Rogers as a "rock star" whenever he is on the court, and he said he has learned a lot playing alongside him.

"There is different types of volleyball players, and he is a very aggressive one, and he will hit the ball until his arm falls off," Satterfield said.

As Rogers wraps up his career at Ball State, volleyball is far from being over. The outside hitter said he strives to play professionally overseas after he graduates, and he is already working on making that possible.

"Hopefully I'll be able to play professional volleyball overseas, probably [in] either Germany or France, and then eventually hopefully make [my] way up in different leagues," Rogers said.

Throughout the process, he said that he wants to keep participating on the USA national teams over the summer.

"The main thing is to stay in that USA gym because of how big that is in the summer [for] improvements in my game," Rogers said.

Rogers said that throughout his time at Ball State, his main goal has been to make positive impacts on everyone he interacts with. Whether that is people watching his games or people he runs into on campus, he said the "world is a better place if you make it a better place."

"Ball State has changed me for the better," Rogers said. "It really has improved my life so much."

Contact Kyle Stout with questions via email at kyle.stout@bsu.edu or on X @kylestoutdailyn.

Brandon was "fascinated" by the mechanics that went into creating his favorite mythological and fantasy games, and he remembered being obsessed with recording technology and music.

Brandon said he worked on an array of theatrical productions in high school as the sound board operator, but the collegiate experience he gained from Ball State was what shaped his understanding of the breadth of the craft.

"[Sound design] is not just mixing a board. You can actually create a whole world with soundscapes and write the music for plays," he said.

As a 2014 Ball State alum, Brandon strives to ignite the same passion for sound design within his cohort of students that the university first sparked within him nearly a quarter of a century ago. One of Brandon's students, Ryan Daffron, a third-year student at Ball State, is majoring in design and technology with a focus on sound.

Ryan first began working with theater technology and sets in high school while he was still learning the craft.Technical theater gave him hands-on opportunities and real-world experiences from the get-go, while still offering him the safe-guard of a student environment.

As time went on, though, the stagehand assisting Ryan did felt less like a job and more like he had found a home within the thespian community.

"For me, it was the first place I felt really welcome, so I just kept doing it and I'm here now," Ryan said.

Today, Ryan and Brandon work together on a number of shows at Ball State. Last fall, Ryan worked on the university's modern-day twist of "Romeo and Juliet" at The Brown Family Amphitheater. Brandon recently wrapped up his technical work as lead sound designer for the university's production of "Cats," which premiered in late-March.

With each new project, the professor and student have similar approaches toward collaboration. They aim to foster cross-communication between actors, costume designers and all other people involved in the production early on.

Ryan also highlighted the element of personal accountability that is required within theater.

"[Theater is] working with a lot of other people, but also it does take a lot of time alone with the script and your director to be like, 'I have these ideas, and I think I want to have these themes [showcased] and [conversations] like that reinforce the moments in the script,'" Ryan said.

Those conversations are essential to ensure the director's vision comes together with costume, lighting and sound designers working as a team. Brandon said it is those conversations that "help construct" a ship for the director to steer. The idea of being open to directorial guidance to shape a production's sound design is something Brandon and his coworkers within the university's theatre department have continuously ingrained in their students.

"If you have a really good idea and you really love it, don't be afraid to let it go and try something else. You should just be open to different stuff," Ryan said, defining collaboration as "different ways of achieving the same goal."

The thespian community can rely on collaboration, with the success of each show largely dependent on the trust the cast and crew have in each other to best execute thedirector's vision - even when that means sacrificing initial ideas. Upon receiving a script, Brandon said he reads each one twice through, once to understand the story and character dynamics, and then again, looking for sound cues.

He said he plays a reel in his head, imagining where music, underscoring and sound effects go. He asks what the characters are hearing, even if it is not mentioned in the script.

Brandon then takes the script, outlined with his sound cue annotations, to the director, "knowing most of it's going to get cut."

"I throw everything at the wall, and then they tell me what needs to stick," he said. "I go from there and that helps me understand, 'Am I on the right path, or am I way off the mark?'"

Research from The Elton B. Stephens Company (EBSCO) in 2023 concluded that quality sound design, in particular, remains "vital" to any theatrical production.

Sound design enhances a production's ability to be both an immersive and realistic experience for a viewing audience.

"Though they may seem trivial at first, sounds like traffic noise, wind, and background chatter make scenes come alive for audiences in ways that would not otherwise be possible if such ambient sounds were not included," according to the study.

Brandon has been a sound designer for 11 years. Despite being in the profession for just over a decade: "I still get nervous the first time we have an audience," Brandon said. "It's the first time I go, 'Is this gonna work?'

Brandon said his job is to help ignite that sense of creativity within all the students who pass through his classroom doors.

"A lot of people in high school don't realize [sound design] is not just a technical craft. It's also an artistic craft. The mixer, the microphones, those are just giant paint brushes, and if you don't know what you're painting, then it doesn't matter," he said.

Though every production is unique, Brandon said each one maintains the same goal: to tell a story through a creative lens. Sound design, specifically, garners the capacity to enhance the quality of a production.

"Every other design discipline you can see. You see the costumes, you see the hair and makeup. You see the lighting, but if you marry the lighting with the sound, it really helps elevate [a production]," he said.

This article is a part of Ball Bearings Spring 2026 magazine: Waves. Read more stories online at cardinalmediabsu.com and pick up the print edition of the magazine across Ball State's campus now.

That surgery will take place within the next "30-40 days," according to the mayor.

The announcement came in the form of a Q&A-style video with the City of Muncie's Director of Communications, Amber Greene.

"I love this city, and Iknow a lot of good things are in place,"Ridenour said. "...It'll be a little different around here, but it'll probably be most different for me."

The eight-minute-long video revealed that Ridenour had a biopsy in October that prompted a follow-up that took place "a few weeks ago," revealing the cancer had developed rapidly.

Ridenour described himself as a man of strong faith and asked the community for their prayers.

"Iwould take and accept, please, any prayers that you have," he said. "This is not something that I think the procedure is the risk; the major risk is that if it progresses so fast before we get it removed that it gets into other organs, so I would take prayers more than anything."

While the mayor's announcement was the first time he's taken to social media to discuss ongoing health issues, questions remain. The Ball State Daily News has reached out to the mayor's office for comment regarding how the city's executive functions continue if he's out of office for upwards of 60 days.

Under Indiana law, IC 36-4-5-8, a mayor who is ill or unable to perform their duties can temporarily transfer authority to a deputy mayor or a member of the city council for up to 15 days within a 60-day period. If the mayor's condition prevents them from carrying out the responsibilities of the office for a longer period, city officials can ask a court to determine whether the mayor is unable to serve.

In that case, a deputy mayor or a council leader can assume the role of acting mayor for up to six months. Muncie does not currently have an acting deputy mayor following the defunding of that position in January 2025 according to an article by The Star Press.

Ridenour saidMuncie residents should not be concerned about his absence and that he has "great confidence" in his staff.

"I really think that the team is put together and is pretty strong [and] knows what its mission is ... I honestly don't feel like they need me to know what decisions to make,"Ridenour said.

This story will be updated with more information as it becomes available.

Contact the BallState Daily News with comments at editor@bsudailynews.com.

INDIANAPOLIS - Solar panelscould bemaking their rise inIndiana,helping grow what has been anotablya powerful, resilient, and reliable source ofpower.Industry leaders are optimistic thatone day Indiana will become less reliant on heavy fossil fuel and carbon emitting productionsfor electricity.

"We expect that growth to be driven by three factors: economics-since solar is often the lowest-cost new power source; procurement demand-as companies and communities seek stable energy pricing; and domestic content-as customers pursue incentives and greater supply chain transparency."

It was an early Sunday morning in July, and I had just gotten dressed to attend church with my mom. I was walking downstairs when she said that she had a surprise and handed me an envelope. As I opened it with a questioning look, I saw the words "One Direction: Take Me Home tour."

Staring at my mom in disbelief, I ran to our family calendar to look at the date, realizing it was that night. I started jumping up and down, and my mom laughed at me. She had bought lawn tickets for 9-year-old me's favorite boy band.

I was around 6 years old when I attended my first concert, the American rock band Styx. My family had bought tickets with friends, and I assume they could not find a babysitter for that night, so I went with them. Since then, I have attended over 20 live music events. At every concert I attend, I buy merchandise and I have a collection of t-shirts, lanyards, wristbands and posters.

In Harry Styles' song "Aperture," the chorus reads "We belong together," and this phrase captures how I feel about live music. Musicians and events bring people together, creating connections among strangers and forming an unspoken understanding that we are all here for the feeling of belonging.

I have always referred to mom as my "concert buddy," seeing as she would go with me to any show I wanted to see, whether she knew the music or not. Growing up, concerts have always been special to me, partially because they were core memories with my mom. We have seen Harry Styles, 5 Seconds of Summer, Taylor Swift, Troye Sivan, Shawn Mendes and more together. For her birthday two summers ago, we drove to Noblesville, Indiana for the day to see Dan and Shay together.

My brother, Kyle, does concert photography as a side job, and I have grown up with my family having a deep love and appreciation for music and live shows.

This past summer, I attended Lollapalooza, a four-day-long music festival in Chicago, Illinois. I went all four days, and words do not begin to describe how happy and lucky I felt each day. Seeing all of my favorite artists with some of my closest friends was a gift.

I would wake up early and help my friends get ready as we blasted songs from the artists we were seeing that day, and each night I would go to bed excited to walk through the park gates. Hearing the songs that I loved so much, surrounded by others with the same love, is therapeutic and healing.

During Gracie Abrams' performance of her song "Close to You," the girls around us started jumping and dancing with me and my friend Elizabeth. All that could be seen were girls smiling ear to ear and belting lyrics at one another as the sun set on Chicago's skyline.

I met Elizabeth when she came to Ball State during my second year, and she has become not only one of my best friends but a breath of fresh air in my life. She and I bond over our favorite songs and musicians, and it has always been a major topic of discussion in our conversations. She has been with me during some of my lowest points, and as we sang the chorus of "Blowing Smoke" by Gracie Abrams to each other, I knew I would never forget that moment in my life.

Recently, one of my best friends, Kylee, and I decided at the last minute to attend a day of the March Madness music festival in Indianapolis. Kylee and I met during our first year at Ball State, when we lived on the same dorm floor, and she has been one of my rocks these past four years.

Kylee and I drove to Indianapolis in the morning, catching up and giggling in excitement for the day. The two of us dancing and screaming the lyrics of country music artist Megan Moroney is a memory that I will never forget.

Being in one place surrounded by others who are sharing the same feelings of excitement, love and pure happiness is special. Concerts make people leave whatever they are dealing with at the door, and for one night, you can exist in a space that feels like home.

Contact Jessica Bergfors via email at jessica.bergfors@bsu.edu.

Spletzer has sustained her own share of injuries during her Ball State career, from her sophomore season through this past graduate season. A stress fracture in her tibia twice, a stress fracture in her femur that she ran through and two more flare-ups in her femur have caused her to miss time in each season she has run.

"I've had quite a few injuries and setbacks," Spletzer said.

But the goals Spletzer set for herself always kept her coming back to the sport. Even though there were long, grueling days spent in the pool to rehab, and eight weeks that she was unable to run because she was in so much pain, Spletzer still could put together a successful year-long career at Ball State.

"I knew I wanted to show up for my team and be there for them," Spletzer said. "I just kept remembering the things that I wanted to achieve."

Spletzer said running has always been a key part of her life. Her father ran track and field and cross country at Toledo, so growing up, she had someone to look up to in the sport. She said she would participate in "road races" growing up, and that her love for the sport took off in junior high.

She said she had a lot of early success during junior high, but her Division I aspirations became real when she got to high school. Spletzer said she had a really good coach at Lakota East High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, and that his belief in her inspired her desire to succeed.

"He coached me really well in high school, and things just started to really click," Spletzer said.

Spletzer made it to state in the 3200 race in track and field her freshman year, and she said it was an "eye-opening" experience that showed her how good she could be. Her success in high school continued, as she was a two-time all-state selection, conference runner of the year in 2020 and was selected to all-regional teams in 2019 and 2020.

That success led Spletzer to Ball State, and she was recruited by the former head coach. She said that although being recruited amid the COVID-19 pandemic was unique, Ball State felt like "home" from the start.

A big thing Spletzer wanted in her career, whatever school she ended up at, was happiness outside of the sport. She said she became close with the class of runners she came into Ball State with, and it made everything outside of the sport that much more fun.

In a career full of unexpected injuries, Spletzer said she knows she has found that in Muncie.

"What I always told myself was if I take running out of the picture, just knowing that I can be happy outside of running and be successful in other areas," Spletzer said.

Spletzer has led the best overall season of her career so far, headlined by her personal best 5k time of 16:45.08.

"It hasn't been easy, and there's been a lot of setbacks, and I think that's made the successful moments even more exciting and more rewarding," Spletzer said.

Assistant cross-country and track-and-field coach Rachel Nichwitz said that no one would have faulted Spletzer for stepping away from the sport after all the injuries she sustained. Nichwitz said it is "incredibly impressive" to see Spletzer not only come back from injuries, but have the best season of her career in her last season.

"It's a testament to how bad she wants it, a testament to how committed she is to being great at this sport," Nichwitz said.

Nichwitz said it is "exciting" to have an athlete like Spletzer in the program. She said Spletzer has an inner drive that she does not need extra encouragement from coaches.

"It's exciting to have an athlete who wants it just as bad as I do for her," Nichwitz said.

Nichwitz ran four years at the University of Arkansas, and she said she often jokes with Spletzer that she will be a faster runner than herself. She said it is validating as a coach when an athlete surpasses her.

"She's gonna be faster than me," Nichwitz said. "She's close, and she's gonna be here soon, and so it's exciting to see that."

Spletzer said that while the accolades she has earned in her career at Ball State are great, the biggest thing she has taken away from her time as a student-athlete is the growth she has experienced as a person.

"The growth that I've had here and the experiences that have shaped me into the person I am today have set me up well for the future," Spletzer said.

Balancing being a student-athlete has not been easy for Spletzer in her career, but she has accomplished a lot while also completing her graduate degree in speech pathology.

"Balancing schoolwork and running together has been difficult, but definitely rewarding, and I don't regret it at all," Spletzer said.

Despite her running career coming to an end, Spletzer said she is trying not to focus on the end of her career. She said she is taking it day by day as her career wraps up.

"It hasn't really set in," Spletzer said. "Right now I'm just focusing on one meet at a time, one day at a time, and just trying to work towards my goals."

This is Spletzer's last year running collegiately, but she said she still has another year of her master's program. Although her running career at Ball State is over, Spletzer said she wants to stay active and in the sport.

Spletzer said going Division I in athletics has always been a goal of hers, and she said she is grateful to experience that at Ball State.

"I'm just grateful for the opportunity," Spletzer said. "It's just been a really cool opportunity that not everyone gets to do."

Contact Kyle Stout with questions via email at kyle.stout@bsu.edu or on X @kylestoutdailyn.

Emmett has been attending a grief support group through the organization GriefShare, an online network of faith-based support groups, since about two weeks after his grandfather, Michael "Mike" Bartholomew, died. His grandfather died December 5, 2025, from acute myeloid leukemia, commonly referred to as AML, which is a rapidly progressing blood cancer that starts in the blood and bone marrow, according to the Leukemia Research Foundation.

Before his death, Emmett said that Mike was a father figure to him. Emmett explained that his biological father struggled with addiction and has always been "in and out" emotionally. He lived at his grandfather's house for the first five years of his life and ended up living with him again during college. "He was my dad for all intents and purposes," Emmett said.

In elementary school, Emmett's grandfather taught him how to play the guitar. Even though at the time Emmett was learning, he was not "really committed" due to his Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), he said he wants to get back into the instrument since his grandfather's guitars are now left unused. "He's a musician first and foremost; that's what he would say," Emmett said.

Emmett described his grandfather as having a "very strong work ethic," saying he and his family got their hardworking character traits from him. Along with having a strong work ethic, Emmett said his grandfather was very direct and blunt, often not saying things "in a very nice way." "I often say he's the kindest asshole that you would ever meet," Emmett said.

His grandfather was very supportive, Emmett said, but "was not good in the emotional support" aspect. He explained that his grandfather would always support the people in his life, describing his house as "open doors." For example, Emmett said he had a cousin who was struggling with addiction, and his grandfather took her in to live at his house, along with paying for all of the expenses to put her in a rehabilitation facility. "But her actually being there, is he gonna be like, 'How are you doing? Do you need help?' No. He's not emotionally gonna be helping, but he's helping," Emmett said.

Following a work-related injury from a fall, his grandfather was left with a severe injury to his shoulder. After receiving his first workers' compensation check due to his injury, he bought Emmett and his cousins Taylor Swift concert tickets. He said that his grandfather "easily" spent two grand on the tickets but did not say anything about it.

After his diagnosis with AML, Emmett explained that his family "knew it was coming" when they spoke about his death. He explained that there were many years of uncertainty about what was going to happen to his grandfather as he battled with cancer, but when he died, it still left the family in shock. Following his death, Emmett said he quit his job and did not work for months. As he grieved, he described the difficulties of having a normal routine. This included what he referred to as "self-care," such as getting out of bed or brushing his teeth. "I went a little crazy after he died," he said.

Grief educator and chancellor at Ivy Tech Community College Anderson, Dr. Mia Johnson, said that while individuals prepare for the sadness that comes along with grief, most individuals are not prepared for the physical components that appear during the grieving process. This can include body aches, headaches, and decision fatigue. According to a February 2024 article from UCLA Health, grief can cause a wide variety of physical symptoms, ranging from bodily pain and a weakened immune system to stomach fatigue. "We know that the brain and the body are tied together, so I don't know why we wouldn't put it together that this is happening when we're grieving as well," Mia said.

Along with her research partner, Dr. Julia Porter, Mia started researching grief about a year and a half ago. Both Mia and Julia are certified in grief education, having written a book, "Supporting Others in Times of Loss: Stories of Grief, Trauma, and Leadership," and hosting a podcast together called "Moving Together with Mia and Julia."

Mia said she became a grief educator after her father became ill in 2022, dying just three months later. She described this as a "whirlwind" of emotions. She had a full-time job at the time, so she was not able to "reset and regroup" properly after her father's death. "It made me start thinking about grief in leadership," Mia said. "There was a lot of information about collective grieving and what the leaders can do to support their team or their employees who were grieving, but there wasn't much about how the leader gets supported."

In 2024, both Mia and Julia put out a call for individuals in leadership positions who were grieving, and both researchers conducted interviews to identify emerging themes with grief in leadership. Mia explained that she found several individuals who left their place of work due to not getting the support they needed as they grieved. Some even left the entire job field. Mia said she and Julia will help anybody who is looking for help. "Anybody in between leader, not leader, on your way to lead, we will help," Mia said.

Emmett said that his grief support group does an exercise called a "grief forecast." This exercise is to show how each participant is feeling with their grief by using weather terms, such as cloudy or stormy, to depict how they are feeling. He explained that some days have different forecasts, asking himself the question daily of "How am I doing on my grief?" "In the first few weeks, it's gonna be pretty much stormy, like all the time," he said. "But now I'm kind of more in the partly cloudy area."

One misconception about grief and the grieving process that Mia does not agree with is that grief gets better with time. She explained that individuals who are grieving develop a better way of dealing with their feelings and the overall process. She explained that there is no set amount of time for when someone should not be grieving, saying that individuals will probably continue to grieve the rest of their lives. "Thinking there's a time frame on when grief should end or be over, or you shouldn't be sad anymore, is not real," Mia said.

School group facilitator at Peter's Place, Carrie Catone, also expressed similar sentiments to Mia. Located in St. Davids, Pennsylvania, Peter's Place is a nonprofit organization that provides grief support services for children and teenagers who are experiencing grief, Carrie said. The nonprofit takes children as young as five and up to 18 years old to participate in group sessions. Sessions are divided into three sessions a year: winter, spring, and fall, with groups being separated into eight-week sessions.

Carrie recalled a situation in which a student's parent expressed frustration with their child, that they had not gotten "over it" after the death of their mother. She said there is an "ongoing sense" that grief will go away, but explained that it is not true; it is normal. "It's normal to have grief, and it won't go away, but it's something that we can learn to live with, and it's not a constant thing," Carrie said. "It's something that comes in waves."

Emmett said he has gotten comments along the lines of, "We get it, your grandfather died," and reflected on how not many people want to talk about grief, saying people tend to "shut down" around the word death. He explained that when he tells the people around him stories of his grandfather, most people do not have a response. Emmett does not want people to tell him "I'm sorry," because he said it feels like a "weird" thing to say and he does not know how to respond to it.

Emmett said that grief takes a long time and that it is an ongoing process for the individual who has lost somebody. "I think we have a culture of get over it and move on. And that's unfortunately not how grief works," Emmett said.

Mia said that Americans are "very grief illiterate." She said that when people know someone is going to die, they do not spend enough time learning about the process of the dying person or understanding the support system for the family. "We just got to get better," Mia said.

Mia said that simple things, such as dropping off groceries or helping them with chores, are ways to help support someone as they grieve. Not comparing situations or having expectations on their grieving process are ways individuals can help people they know as they grieve, she said. "Just be there and just sit with them in it," Mia said.

Emmett said the loss of his grandfather was a "big hole" left behind. He has been learning that grief is not something that can be pushed away. He explained that his grieving process has taught him how to advocate for himself as he grieves. With plans to move to Colorado in July, Emmett said that while there is the physical loss of his grandfather, he will still be with him forever. "It's gonna be an everyday thing for a while, probably forever, and that's okay," Emmett said.

Times, locations, and details for Spring Commencement are as follows:

• 10 a.m. - Main ceremony on West Quad lawn
  • Ball State President Geoffrey Mearns and commencement speaker Hugh Jackman will address graduates and guests. The ceremony will include the hooding of doctoral candidates, the conferral of master's and undergraduate degrees, the presentation of senior awards and a special performance. Master's and undergraduate candidates will not be individually recognized at the main ceremony; they will walk across the stage during their assigned college ceremony.
• 12:30 p.m. - College of Fine Arts, Emens Auditorium
• 12:30 p.m. - College of Sciences and Humanities, Worthen Arena
• 4 p.m. - R. Wayne Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning, Emens Auditorium
• 4 p.m. - College of Health and Teachers College, Worthen Arena
• 7:30 p.m. - Miller College of Business and College of Communication, Information and Media, Worthen Arena

Ball State Commencement ceremonies do not require tickets for graduates and guests. All venues will open one hour before each ceremony with open seating available. Each ceremony is estimated to last two hours. Graduates and guests are expected to adhere to theetiquette and protocols guidelines, according to the website.

At the ceremonies, a clear bag policy will be in effect.Parking information for the main ceremony can be found here.All ceremonies will also be live-streamed the day of the event.

Contact The Daily News via email at editor@bsudailynews.com.

"In this industry, they really do have to think long term, and when you prioritize the relationships you have, and you invest in the long term, it makes all the difference," said Routley, who serves as Corporate Counsel for AZO Services Management.

From 13-years old, Routley had a passion for the family business, working in whatever capacity she could. From the construction crew to gravel pits, Routley recalled working hard for the sake of the community.

"Loyalty and family bonds count for a lot. They say blood is thicker than water, and that's true; you can always count on family," Routley stated.

Routley's great-grandfather, Ralph Balcom, came from the Netherlands in 1911 to start what is now AZO Services, spanning much of the Midwest. AZO Services functions as the corporate office for Balkema Excavating Inc., Aggregate Resources and Best Way Disposal, three companies with ties to infrastructure, environmental and site development work across the region.

The company has stayed in the family. The business passed from her great-grandpa, to her two grandpas, to three dads and uncles, to the family's now 10 siblings and cousins in the 4th generation.

Being a family business, Routley said that many of the owners have a vision-oriented perspective, because what they do now will influence their children and their grandchildren leads them to make decisions that will benefit everyone in the long run

"It's been hard," Routley said, "But I really respect what everyone here has built, and I want to see it here for my great grandkids… It's a pretty amazing thing to stand on the shoulders of your great-grandpa with his team of horses and a wooden wagon, seeing what it is today."

Wanting a sustainable service is something that simply makes sense to Routley and the family because they serve a community of people, with an emphasis on the people.

"Landfills are forever," Routley said, "Whether they are closed or open, so you have to do it right."

Continuing the discussion of sustainability, Routley's sister Danielle Dungey acknowledged her sister's point and again emphasized that the heart of working with a close-knit community is what drives the work they do. In supporting each other, they support the earth, and in supporting the earth, they support each other.

RELATED: Trash to Tank: How Randolph Farms is reimagining landfill waste

"We all want to have a healthy environment and a clean community," Dungey said, "So with that in mind, you want to make sure you're doing what is best for everybody."

Growing up surrounded by an industry in garbage and excavating, Dungey recounted her desire to stay in the family business but maintained that she yearned more for the social and creative side. She said her family helped her find her niche in her role as AZO's Social Media and Website Manager.

"With the advice from my sister and encouragement from my family, I found that the social media aspect was really something I could thrive in," Dungey stated, "They were willing to help me with those [opportunities] and encourage me to work with my passions."

Dungey also described how working from the bottom up has helped her and the rest of her family members to develop the humility and heart that drives the company today. The sisters agreed that their paths in the family business have shaped the people they are now.

"Just like our dads and uncles, everyone starts in the same kind of way: pushing a broom and shovelling dirt," Dungey explained laughingly.

Even more involved with the sustainability work for Azo is Curt Publow. Now the Environmental Compliance Manager, Publow has seen several angles of the company and watched its progress over the span of more than 30 years.

Publow started the same as every other member of the family. As a young man in 1994, he found the opportunity for a construction job with AZO, and from there, he grew. From gas collection in the late 90s to the environmental work he does now, Publow has made an effort to continue his education through hands-on learning and educational resources within the industry.

"What I'm doing today," Publow noted, "I couldn't have even imagined back then. It's just been a great opportunity over these past few years to be a part of this industry as it builds up."

He added that, especially in the case of Randolph Farms, "It's such a unique, closed loop system, and to really be involved in something so unique and kind of cutting edge in that way."

In an interview, Publow described how, in 2018, AZO's Randolph Farms landfill put in a system to upgrade the waste gas, which they use as fuel for vehicles. Since then, they've added up to three machines that create fuel for about 42 trucks.

The renewable natural gas, or RNG fuel, that Randolph Farms creates is the equivalent of about 450,000 gallons of diesel fuel. The consumption of RNG, as opposed to diesel, also allows the AZO business to avoid burning the excess landfill gas, eliminating the spread of two polluting substances at once.

"We want to have a healthy environment and a clean community. While it's a big responsibility, we're dedicated," said Routley.

For comments, questions or concerns, contact Bentley Ford at bentleyford.reports@gmail.com.

This story was produced in part with financial support from Carbon Neutral Indiana. The reporting and production of this piece were overseen by faculty and/or staff within the Department of Journalism at Ball State University to ensure adherence to professional and ethical standards.

RELATED: Funeral held for Delaware County Corporal

The Delaware County Prosecutor's Office has filed formal charges in this case, following "an extensive investigation conducted by the Indiana State Police."

"We extend our sincere appreciation to the Indiana State Police for their professionalism, thoroughness, and commitment throughout this investigation," according to the release.

The sheriff's department emphasized that while the development "cannot undothe loss suffered by the Reynolds family or this department, the offical charges are "a step toward accountability."

"Corporal Reynolds was more than a deputy. He was a respected law enforcement officer, a dedicated public servant, and a valued member of our Sheriff's Office family. His loss continues to weigh heavily on this department and this community," according tp the release. "We remain committed to standing with the Reynolds family and ensuring that Blake's service and sacrifice are never forgotten."

Contact The Daily News via email at editor@bsudailynews.com.

Farmers Market at Minnetrista: Outdoor Market

Breathe in the fresh air and explore seasonal produce, artisan baked goods, plants, farm-fresh eggs, meats, handcrafted items, and more. Stroll the outdoor market, meet local growers and makers, and enjoy a lively gathering that celebrates local flavor and community connection. SNAP benefits are accepted at participating vendors; stop by the welcome tent to learn more.

• Price: Free
• Location: Minnetrista Museum and Gardens
• Date and Time: Saturday, May 2, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

SIX the Musical: Teen Edition

Muncie Civic's Encore Youth Education Program presents SIX: Teen Edition on the Mainstage! Come see these talented performers as they sing catchy pop music from this hit Broadway musical!

• Price: $15 for adults, $10 for Students
• Location: Muncie Civic Theatre
• Date and Time: May 1-3, 2026, Friday and Saturday shows at 7:00 p.m., Sunday Matinee at 3:00 p.m.

Human Library Project

The Human Library Project features human "books" that visitors can borrow for conversation. The library provides a framework to inspire positive conversations that reduce stereotypes and prejudice through dialogue. Join them for the opportunity to talk to people who are different from you in a setting where difficult questions are expected, appreciated, and answered.

• Price: Free
• Location: Oakhurst Home, Minnetrista Museum and Gardens
• Date and Time: Sunday, April 26, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Menopause the Musical 2: Cruising Through 'The Change'

All aboard, sisters! The hysterical sequel to the smash-hit Menopause The Musical^® is finally here! Five years after their chance encounter in a department store, set sail with these beloved ladies for more high jinks on the high seas. Menopause The Musical 2: Cruising Through 'The Change'^® is a hilarious and heartfelt look at the joys of menopause and friendship - plus hot flashes, mood swings, and memory lapses!

• Price: Adult: $54.40 / $44.50 / $34.50
• Location: Emens Auditorium
• Date and Time: Monday, April 27, at 7:00 p.m.