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.

Q: How do you balance protecting free speech on campus with maintaining an inclusive and respectful environment for all students?

A: It was January of 2020 when the board adopted our new policies with respect to freedom of expression. They're commonly referred to in higher education as the University of Chicago principles. That was an important inflection point at the university, because that led to actually greater permissiveness with respect to freedom of expression on campus.

And then, in light of those university board approved principles, we then did a comprehensive view review of all of our existing policies to bring those policies that related to expressive activity and freedom of expression in full alignment with those principles. That process probably took us about two or three years, and it's those University of Chicago principles, coupled with the policies that are guided by those principles that strike the balance that you just asked about.

That's how, through both board principles as well as board-approved policies, that [university administrators] strike what we believe is the appropriate balance between expressive activity [while] allowing us to continue to fulfill our mission of education, research and community engagement.

Q: Can you walk us through how the university responds when students say their concerns are being ignored?

A: We have a variety of ways in which we listen to the voices of our students. First of all, the student voice in the administration of the university and fulfilling the mission is critical.

We have a long-term strategic plan. The first iteration of this long-term strategic plan was developed in 2018 and then was approved by our board [of trustees] in late 2018. There was a student representative on that small committee, and then we sent out surveys to faculty, staff, graduates and students. A very high number of students responded to that survey.

Then, we had on-campus open forums to discuss certain topics, and we had a forum that was specifically targeted toward students. In that process, we also met with the [student government association] (SGA), the elected representatives of the student body. That same process was repeated when the board reaffirmed our long-term strategic plan last year in May 2025. That's one way in which the student voice is recognized.

There are [also] a variety of activities on campus. SGA is certainly a very important forum, but there are [also] student advisory councils in many of the academic colleges in the athletics department. There's a student athlete advisory council that is actually [for] the student-athletes. The 400+ student athletes that we have select their peers to represent and bring their concerns to the attention of the athletic administration [and] the athletic director. It's a vehicle for them to express their concerns outside of maybe expressing it directly to their coaches.

So there's a variety of pretty comprehensive mechanisms in place to hear the concerns and perspectives of students.

Aidan Davis is [also] a governor-appointed student trustee on the board. We have an application process, and then there's a committee in SGA that trims that list down to 10 names. Then, we submit 10 names to the governor and his staff for consideration. But the governor is the individual who selects the student representative. Aidan is a very active and engaged student trustee.

Q: When students or faculty criticize the university publicly, do you see that as a leadership challenge, a free speech success or something in between?

A: I probably wouldn't choose either of those options. What I would describe it as is an appropriate opportunity for faculty, students and staff. Just this morning, I met with the staff council. I meet with the staff council because their voices also are important, irrespective of whether they agree with [a university administrator] or whether they have a different perspective. To me, one of the great opportunities of being a university president is that there's so many voices, and it's important to hear the perspective of those voices.

What's interesting about a university - which I think is different [from] being, for example, the CEO of a large company - is a company tends to have a relatively small number of stakeholders. They've got their customers, they've got their employees and then they've got their shareholders or investors. Oftentimes, their interests or perspectives are aligned. Universities have [a] much, much larger number of constituencies and a much wider diverse perspective of those.

As you know much better than I do, there's no one single student perspective on any of these issues, so it's important for us to do as much as we can to hear not just the voices of the people in those various constituency groups but the different perspectives within each of those constituencies, because they're not monolithic in any of them.

Q: What is the line between protected student expression and behavior that results in disciplinary action?

A: So that, again, I would refer you to take a look at the university policy on expressive activity, because that is where you find those definitions. And then, of course, it's the responsibility of our colleagues, particularly in student affairs, to determine which activities are protected as expressive activities and which - under the policy and under the applicable law - falls on the other side of that line. But, the starting point is the definitions that are in the policy.

Q: What possible problems do you foresee in the coming years with the increased activity of student protests on campus?

A: I don't know if you would describe it as "increased." The level of protest activity that we have right now pales in comparison to the protests that occurred during the Vietnam era, during the Civil Rights era in the '60s and '70s - when hundreds and hundreds of students were walking out of classes and protesting. So when I look at the historical perspective, the level of protest activity is not anywhere near that level.

Q: How does the office of strategic planning and support differ in function from the [office of inclusive excellence] (DEI) office? What specific resources or services were lost when the DEI office closed, if any?

A: This was last April when I announced that we were now in full compliance with President Trump's executive orders and the guidance that came from the Department of Education and the Department of Justice. The resources that were available to students through, like the multicultural center, are still available. The changes have been primarily about ensuring that all students have access to those resources. So, it's less about the curtailment, or reduction, of resources than ensuring - under the letter and spirit of that executive order - that irrespective of somebody's race, gender or ethnicity, that all of those resources were available.

Now, under the state law that followed, it was no longer permissible, or lawful, for us to have a specific office, so we were able to deploy many of those people and use their talents and skills to support the implementation of our strategic plan.

Q: Are there any plans or initiatives that may help students feel more connected to the community [and] bridge the gap between those who live here and the students attending Ball State?

A: If you look at the history of the university, we've done more in that respect over the last eight years than ever in the history of our university. And in fact, some of the initiatives that we have are unprecedented in the history of the United States - and I speak specifically to the Muncie Community Schools (MCS).

Our partnership with the Muncie Community Schools, the leadership and engagement that we have with (MCS), has never been attempted by any public university in the history of the United States. That's because, as an educational institution, we feel an obligation - maybe even a moral obligation - that, as I often say, "Every child in Muncie should have access to a high quality public education."

We also have an office of community engagement. The Village [Revitalization] Project is a tangible demonstration of our commitment to community engagement. The center for innovation and collaboration [within The Village Revitalization Project] is the programmatic bridge that enables organizations, institutions, companies in the community, to tap into the talent and creativity of our students. So, instead of having to come further on campus, we're bringing those opportunities for our students to the community.

There's [also] a group called the collective coalition of concerned clergy, The four C's. They are primarily, but not exclusively, pastors of predominantly African American churches in Muncie. I engage with the leadership and the members of The Four C's on a regular basis to ensure that in addition to all of the other ways we're engaging with the community, we're hearing the voice of the clergy, because in many of the neighborhoods in Muncie - and actually in various places in our country - the churches are the ones where some of the voices of those who don't necessarily have access to presidents of universities and CEOs of corporations, they have relationships and perspectives.

So, I meet with them from time to time, to hear their voices, to get their perspective[s] and to ensure that we're trying as best we can to serve all members of the Muncie community, not just the folks who are here on the north and northwest side.

Q: How is The Village Revitalization Project going? Have there been changes to the timeline, or is it about as expected?

A: I would say, a little bit of both. What I've learned with almost every construction project is you get a schedule at the outset of the design and construction [teams], and quite often there's a little bit of slippage. But, all you need to do is walk in The Village and you can see the progress that's being made.

The center for innovation and collaboration, that will open on time. We anticipate that construction will be completed this summer, and then we can move the students and the programs in there over the summer, so that when classes resume in August, it's up and running.

The performing arts center, that construction will be completed sometime in the September timeframe, but it will take probably eight to 12 weeks for the department of theater and dance to move their costume shop and all of their other equipment into the performing arts center. So, there probably will not be a performance in the performing arts center until December, and then student performances in January. So that construction schedule is on time.

The hotel is the one [building] that's probably slipped a bit. That will probably not open for guests until November and December. We're a little disappointed. It's the 100th homecoming that's coming up this October, and we certainly were hoping to welcome guests there for that event, but they're going to miss that a little bit.

By the time classes resume - not this August, but next August - you'll [also] see green space event space, right in the village that has been informed by the voices of the students. It's a pretty significant investment that we think will be beneficial for the students and for the community.

Q: Overall, what are some of the biggest challenges the university is currently facing?

A: To me, there is increasing skepticism about the value of a college degree. We're, I believe, swimming against the tide. It's about access, success and impact. We're meeting the challenge: what we have to do is continue to beat the drum and make sure that people know about the value [of a college degree]. We don't have the capacity to solve problems at all campuses and universities, but we're working very hard to demonstrate that there is still value [in] attending Ball State and earning a Ball State Degree.

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

This past year was full of ups and downs for Ball State Athletics, as some teams had success while others aimed to rebuild themselves.

From fall to winter to spring, 19 different teams are competing for Ball State University, and this is how their seasons turned out.

Football:

Ball State football had a roller coaster of a season for head coach Mike Uremovich's first year. Uremovich came in with virtually no roster and no coaching staff. Director of Athletics Jeff Mitchell hired Uremovich in early December, so the head coach did not have much time to put together a full roster.

Despite the new faces on the team, Uremovich and company still had the Cardinals in contention for a bowl appearance, as the team sat at 4-5 late in the season. But the Cardinals lost their last three games, finishing the year at 4-8 overall and 3-5 in the Mid-American Conference (MAC).

A big piece for the Cardinals on the season was defensive end Nathan Voorhis, who led the team with 12 sacks and was second in the MAC. Quarterback Kiael Kelly returned to the quarterback position after two seasons away from it and passed for 1,583 yards, 11 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Kelly rushed for 600 yards and five touchdowns on the season.

But the future is bright for Uremovich. The Cardinals had the second-best transfer class in the MAC and brought in a talented group of recruits. Redshirt junior transfer quarterback Tyler Mizzell will likely lead the way as quarterback one, as he is coming off a successful season at Concord University.

Men's Basketball:

Ball State Men's Basketball had its worst season to date under former head coach Michael Lewis. Lewis spent four years with the program, but the last three resulted in losing records. The 12-19 finish this past season caused Director of Athletics Jeff Mitchell to fire Lewis and look towards new leadership.

The Cardinals had a less-than-ideal start to the season, dropping their first five conference games and entering MAC play winless.

Sophomore guard Davion Hill led the team with 14 points per game, and junior guard Armoni Zeigler followed closely behind with 12.5 points per game.

In early April, Mitchell announced that Chris Capko would be the Cardinals' 21st basketball coach in school history. Capko comes in from Southern Methodist University (SMU) and has had a storied career as an assistant and associate coach.

Women's Basketball:

Ball State Women's Basketball concluded the season with a record of 26-7, 16-2 in the MAC competition, tying first with Miami. The Cardinals went 16-2 from January to March in the second half of the season before falling to Toledo in the MAC tournament semifinals.

Ball State Women's Basketball led the conference in categories including points per game, rebounding and assists. The Cardinals also finished second in blocks. Two Ball State Women's basketball players were named to the All-MAC First Team: senior center Tessa Towers and senior guard Bree Salenbien.

Sophomore guard Grace Kingery was named All-MAC Honorable Mention. Freshman forward Aniss Tagayi was selected to the MAC All-Freshman Team and to the MAC All-Defensive Team.

Top performers for this year's Ball State team include senior guard Bree Salenbien, who finished fifth in the MAC in scoring, averaging 15.8 points; senior center Tessa Towers, who finished fourth in rebounding, averaging 8.4 per game; junior guard Karsyn Norman, who finished third in assists, averaging 4.9; and Salenbien finishing eighth in blocks, averaging 0.9.

This marks Ball State Women's Basketball's ninth consecutive winning season in a row, with their last one coming in 2016-17.

Women's Volleyball:

The 2025 Ball State Women's Volleyball season was the tenth season with Kelli Miller Phillips as head coach, and it was one of her best seasons yet.

The Cardinals finished off their campaign with an overall record of 21-10 and a conference record of 17-1. This was Phillips' third-best overall record at Ball State, just behind the 2024 and 2021 seasons.

Ball State's one loss in the MAC regular season propelled the team to rack up a plethora of MAC awards at the end of the year, including MAC player of the year and coach of the year.

Sophomore Carson Tyler was awarded the player of the year award after leading the Cardinals and the MAC in kills per set with 4.22. Tyler was also awarded four MAC player of the week awards, along with 29 kills in their win over Toledo Oct. 10, which was the most by a MAC player in a conference match. Although Tyler had an outstanding season with Ball State, she entered the transfer portal after the season and committed to Marquette.

The MAC coach of the year award was presented to none other than Kelli Miller Phillips, her third time winning the award, with her previous wins in 2021, 2022 and 2025. Phillips led the team to a 17-1 record in the conference, along with winning the regular-season conference championship.

Contact Kyle Stout at kyle.stout@bsu.edu, Rylan Crum at rylan.crum@bsu.edu and Bryce Pennell at bryce.pennell@bsu.edu. editor@bsudailynews.com.

Tania moved with her family from Malaysia to America at just five-years-old. They arrived in 1976, the bicentennial anniversary of America. Upon their arrival, the family traveled across the country to learn about their new home's culture, chasing a deeper understanding of American society through the lens of art.

Tania grew up in a family that had her consistently and actively participating in the arts. She enrolled in sports like many other kids her age, but to her and her family, involvement in the arts was the real treasure of childhood.

Just like her mother and sister, Tania chose to pursue a career rooted in their deep connection to the arts. Now, she is using her voice and position here in Muncie to advocate for the thing that brings her the most joy.

Tania said advocacy for the arts has decreased in recent years, especially within the Muncie community. This has led to limited public arts funding and a decline in the quality of education surrounding the arts.

A 2026 report done by Arts Midwest shows that Indiana has one of the lowest per capita art funding levels across the entire Midwest. At a staggering 47 cents per capita, Indiana does not come close to a state like Minnesota, which provides $7.85 per capita funding for the arts.

"We are making up the gap in some ways: through the city, the federal government, private individuals or corporations," Tania said. "But there is so much competition for those dollars."

With other major societal challenges, such as the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, putting stress on the state governments, there has been a reprioritizing of what is important.

The fight for representation of the arts in Indiana is an ongoing, uphill battle.

"We should be uplifting arts and culture, supporting arts and culture, championing arts and culture, for economic growth, sustainable communities, and health and wellness," Tania said.

It is Tania's job to create more opportunities and access for people involved in the arts here in Muncie. She aims to help foster a thriving arts community and change the conversation about the importance of the arts.

"I cannot help but think, you know, 'What would our community be like if we supported arts and culture more?'" Tania said.

Tania explained that participating and engaging in the arts is one of the best ways to connect with others in the community. This could mean attending live music and theater performances, volunteering for art initiatives and donating to local artists, exploring public art shows and festivals or experimenting with artistic creation of your own.

This participation can also strengthen and build bonds within the community, as it creates a gathering space for people to tell stories.

"Where does our empathy come from if not from the arts, right? We don't know one another's stories if we don't actually engage with one another," Tania said.

One of the greatest outlets for art engagement in Delaware County comes from Ball State University, where students and professors in the College of Fine Arts are working together to shape the future of the arts for Muncie and the world.

Associate professor and Foundations Coordinator for the School of Art, Rachel Cohn, specializes in interdisciplinary arts. Rachel uses her professional fine arts and studio background to encourage and inspire young artists.

Her work as an artist has taken her all over the globe throughout her career, allowing her to explore and experience the influences of many different cultures and people. With a constant change of scenery, Rachel lets her work be driven by improvisation, problem-solving and repurposing of different materials and ideas.

Though she has a master's degree in painting from Virginia Commonwealth University, she dabbles in many forms of artistic creation. Rachel said she creates organically by following ideas conceptually and letting them come to life in any number of forms.

"To Rejoin the Ocean," her most recent gallery, was displayed in Minneapolis from Feb. 19 to March 28 and showcased a handful of her interdisciplinary works of art. From conception to creation, the collection of mostly commissioned artwork took nearly five years to put together.

The work in the show is deeply inspired by the intuitive cultural and religious practices that have shaped her identity.

"It really is ultimately about reconnecting with spiritual practices to help build communities," Rachel said.

The largest piece in the exhibit paints the image of a woman crying "from every pore" as she bathes herself. Rachel said that this piece of work was specifically inspired by the idea of community saunas and reconnecting with nature through bathing, both of which pertain to central themes of water rituals and regeneration.

Other unique elements of the show included an ancestral etched copper bowl, designed for audiences to wash their hands in and connect with spirits of the past, and brightly animated light boxes that tell a story inspired by a Jewish transformation ritual called the Michva.

Rachel said the gallery was anything but an independent project and she carries this teamwork attitude into her teaching philosophy at Ball State.

"It's like, 'Well, how do we rebuild connections?' And it is through things like theatre, dance, art, and people understanding it's not a solo project, even when it's a solo show," Rachel said.

She believes that true, authentic art is all about being in tune with yourself and the world around you. She hopes that her students are always thinking of others, leading with compassion and empathy.

"To me, what's most important is that [my students] are thinking about creative problem solving and empathy for other people," Rachel said. "Understanding how to be a person to other people, like what is our social responsibility to other people? It's all about your awareness of other people in space."

Rachel believes in the influence and power of the next generation of artists. Though occupational opportunities for artists have changed since she was an art student, Rachel maintains that art education is still just as important as ever.

Rachel has seen the way art empowers her students, and she feels inspired by them every day.

"There's always something interesting or unique that everybody brings into the room, and that's what's so cool about getting to talk about art all day," Rachel said.

Rachel believes that the spirit of all artists is the same, no matter where they come from or when they grew up. She has observed that creativity and talent flow through all of her students similarly. She uses her lived experiences to nurture the virtuosity in the young adults she mentors.

Just like Tania, Rachel believes the future of art can be bright, so long as the community continues to show up for art, engage in art and create art.

"We always talk about this in class: 'What do you want the world to be like?' You have to be a part of that," Rachel said. "Art is a part of that, even if we live in a culture where art isn't always supported.

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.

The incident occurred during the White House Correspondents' Dinner onSaturday, where Trump, Vice President JD Vance and other senior officials were in attendance. After a loud noise was heard, security personnel quickly entered the room and evacuated the president and First LadyMelania Trumpfrom the stage.

According to a CNN reporter, a shooter fired several shots before being subdued by security forces. A photograph showed armed officers surrounding a person lying on the ground. There were initially no official reports on whether anyone was injured.

Other guests at the event reportedly took cover under tables as heavily armed security officers secured the venue.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he would hold a press conference at theWhite Housein 30 minutes. "The First Lady, plus the Vice President, and allCabinetmembers, are in perfect condition," he wrote.

According to theSecret Service, the incident occurred near the security screening area for the event at a hotel.

Trump praised theSecret Serviceand law enforcement and said the event would be rescheduled within 30 days.

©2026 dpa GmbH. Distributed byTribune Content Agency, LLC.

Ball State has had three meetings in total with Loyola Chicago this year, the first one March 5 where the Cardinals were shut out on Loyola's home court. The two met again April 11 where Ball State returned the favor, shutting Loyola out in Worthen.

Now, the Cardinals are MIVA champions as they take the upper hand in the series over Loyola 3-0 at home.

"The team's pretty pumped up. It hasn't hit me yet. It probably will later as I give myself some time and am able to be with the family. I'm proud of these guys, they've put in a lot of work. I'm super happy for these guys, and proud of our team. We play our game, and when we do that, we do good things," head coach Mike Iandolo said.

Sophomore opposite hitter Ryan Louis reflected on the match. "We worked so hard for this very moment - and we're not done - but man we're going to enjoy this. At the start of the season, this was a goal of ours, and we did it. We proved we're able to compete with the best teams in the nation, and we'll continue to do that in the NCAA tournament."

In Ball State's 25 wins this season, 17 of them have been shut outs.

"We play good volleyball. We play disciplined. When you do that, you connect the dots between serve and pass, and block and defense. You're able to turn a lot of points in the transition phase of the game, defense-to-offense. When you can do that, you put a lot of pressure on teams, and then they struggle in those moments. We've done a good job of that all year," Iandolo said.

Senior outside hitter Patrick Rogers added on, "We're amazing when everyone's playing well. DG [Daniel Gunther] has been doing great, perfect timing for him to step-up. Will Basilio has been doing awesome, perfect passer. It's been great. I think we're peaking at the right exact moment."

When asked how it feels to defeat Loyola in the third meeting this year, coach Iandolo said, "It feels really good, especially after that first one. There were things we thought we didn't do very well, but we got a chance to play them here after the loss. Once we got that win, our guys gained a lot of confidence going into this week. It's been pretty cool."

Rogers added on that losing certain games creates learning opportunities.

"We learned that was our first loss in the league and it helped us in that next week of practice and we stayed focused. Mike's done a great job. We have accountability sessions and meetings with any questions we have. The season's been great," he said.

Rogers finished with 16 kills and Louis recorded six. Other key performances for the Cardinals were sophomore outside hitter, Wil Basilio, making eight kills and junior middle blocker Jacob Surette recording five.

Contact Bryce Pennell via email at bryce.pennell@bsu.edu or on X @bryceBSUDN.

Multicultural Center's Annual Celebration of Excellence

The Multicultural Center will be hosting the annual Celebration of Excellence to acknowledge the accomplishments of students in anticipation of commencement. This event has been hosted on our campus to honor the significance of this achievement. Students will receive a cord and T-shirt at the celebration. All graduates are welcome to register. The Celebration of Excellence will be held at Pruis Hall on Friday, May 1, at 6:30 p.m.
Registration link:https://bsu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cOWZO8nQtfufx5k

For more information, visit:
https://commcenter.bsu.edu/message/multicultural-centers-annual-celebration-of-excellence-14

Lifeguards Needed for Summer 2026 and Beyond with Recreation Services

Recreation Services is looking to hire lifeguards for summer 2026 and beyond!
To qualify, applicants must be 16 years of age and possess a current lifeguard certification from the American Red Cross, YMCA, Ellis, StarGuard, or other recognized lifeguard certifying agency.
To apply, please visit the direct link to the application portal in Workday here.

For more information, visit:https://commcenter.bsu.edu/message/lifeguards-needed-for-summer-2026-and-beyond-with-recreation-services-1

Have you heard about Hanover? Free Webinars for Researchers.
As part of Ball State's partnership with Hanover Research, Sponsored Projects is sharing both the monthly live webinar registration and suggested past recorded webinars that may be of interest to the entire campus community.

April Live Webinar
Thursday, April 30 - 12 p.m. EST
Pathways for Effective Research Translation
An exploration of pathways for grant seekers aiming to expand their research findings from academic environments into practical applications. The session will emphasize ways to close the gap between research and real-world use and discuss how feedback from users can guide future projects and proposals. Attendees will learn strategies for converting complex findings into accessible formats for practitioners, policymakers, and industry, boosting the impact and grant-readiness of their work.
Register Here

Resources from Hanover Research Partnership
• Grants Learning Center: All students, faculty, and staff may access the Grants Learning Center through our Hanover partnership. This portal offers online learning modules that will improve your understanding of grant writing and grant processes at your own pace. To gain access, please email Stephanie Roof for the registration code and link.
• Webinar library: Hanover's monthly webinars are recorded and offered on demand. You can watch these 45-minute sessions anytime.

Upcoming Webinars to Save the Date for
• May 28: Building Grant Seeking Capacity & Culture

For more information, visit:
https://commcenter.bsu.edu/message/have-you-heard-about-hanover-free-webinars-for-researchers-3

For more information, go toBall State's Communication Center.

Without expecting it, she fell in love with color guard.

As she approached her first year of college, her friend, Donaji Valdes, convinced her to continue with the color guard team at Ball State University.

"It was one of the best decisions I've made," Alivia said. "I love it so much."

Moving into school early and practicing five days a week starting in early August, Ball State's color guard is an integral part of the Pride of Mid-America Marching Band (POMA). During the 2025 season, the team practiced and prepared for performances amidst the hot sun or long storm delays on gamedays.

The group spends most of its fall semester seeing each other every day, allowing them to bond with one other.

After Alivia joined the team, she began reaching out to other team members to connect before practices began. The color guard community allowed her to get a head start in adapting to the new environment of a college campus.

"A lot of adjusting to college was with their help because I already had that family built in before everyone else got here," Alivia said.

The color guard and band move in a week and a half before other students to get an early start on practicing for the season at band camp. This means full days of rehearsal for the band and color guard. They learn the fundamentals of marching, the pregame show and work on their endurance for performances. This extra time allows first-year team members to learn more about campus and make new friends before the school year oficially begins.

Not only did Alivia have to adjust to college life, but also to the differences between her high school color guard and Ball State's. She was grateful to get guidance from her teammate Donaji, who was starting her junior year at the same time.

"Every time I had a question or needed help, she was always more than willing to help me in any way I needed," Alivia said.

After the 12-hour days of band camp passed, the team moved to practicing in the afternoon each weekday. Kelli Drake is the current director of Ball State's color guard team, as well as a Ball State alumnus and teacher at West View Elementary School. With Kelli's teaching schedule, she was not always able to make it to practice on time. She allowed the team's student leaders to take charge before she was able to attend the team's practices on weeknights.

Color guard Co-Captain Danielle Finicle explained how she and the team's captain, Caitlin Hummer, led the team before Kelli arrived.

"It would be me and the other captain's job to take on that role of director, and look over everybody and make sure we're being productive," Danielle said. "Until the director comes in and then we kind of take a step back, let her do her thing, and help her if she needs it."

Now a senior, Danielle has continued color guard since joining her first year at Ball State. The large time commitment while being a biology major has sometimes made her question whether or not to continue.

Because of the friends she made and the experience she had, she decided to continue coming back to the team. During the month before their first performance, she and the team worked with each other and the band to prepare.

"The band, they learn the music and the drill … and the guard has to learn the drill, and they have to wait until we get the music to actually learn the choreography to put with it," Danielle said.

This past season, the group was able to showcase its skills at the first home football game and family weekend Sept. 13, 2025.

For color guard, game day started nearly eight hours before kickoff. The team practiced their performances before anyone else arrived on the field that day, including the dance team, cheerleading team and the football team.

"We'd have a 6 a.m. call time where we'd have to show up in full hair and makeup, and mostly dressed, and it was a pain," Alivia said.

After practicing, they'd spend their time performing at the CharlieTown tailgate, the pre-game show and in the stands before doing their halftime show. Each halftime show was different, so the team learned a new routine of three songs between home games.

This past season, there were two back-to-back home games, leaving only 10 days for the team to be performance-ready.

Band Director Jeremy Harmon decides on the music and creates the drill for each show, then Kelli takes over to create the color guard routines. She writes down places, counts and movements as she designs the routine for each song.

"As I'm listening to it, I'm essentially writing specific notes, and I'm trying to find a pattern," Kelli said. "It's very poppy tunes, so you're gonna get the chorus more than once."

Kelli uses her former music and color guard experience to guide her as director. She spent her time at Ball State in color guard before graduating in spring 2024.

Soon after graduation, former Director Rhonda Reynolds asked Kelli if she wanted to take over the role. Rhonda spent Kelli's first year still working with color guard before passing it off entirely this past year.

"This was my first year where I was able to have free range of everything, which was pretty amazing, but also very real," Kelli said. "It hit right away, and I realized how much Rhonda really did for us."

With the football season extending late into fall, the weather can become less than ideal. For her senior season, Danielle remembered one game where they encountered rain, lightning and a game delay.

"We're in the pouring rain, we're in our makeup and uniforms, and we just have to do what we can do," she said. "They're fond memories, like it's the feeling of 'We'll laugh about this later.'"

During memorable games and weeks of seeing each other daily, the team created a culture and environment that was unique to them.

Outside of practice, they are friends who continue to stay close until they are back on the field together come summertime.

Alivia made her first friends in college from the color guard team. Four years prior, Danielle had the same experience, making her closest friends during practices. The students' passion for the team is not limited to them, but it also extends to their director, who has been in both roles.

To students who are thinking about joining, Kelli said, "It would be the best decision you have ever made in your entire life. I mean, I am still in contact with people that I spun with."

Going into the 100th year of the POMA Marching Band in 2026, the color guard team wants to continue improving its craft. Along with celebrating a century of the band, they look forward to the opportunity of traveling to perform at an away game.

For seniors like Danielle, they can look back on their time with the team fondly.

"It definitely was a really good experience," Danielle said. "There's a reason I came back all four years."

The idea to redevelop the area was sparked by the long-standing recognition that The Village had declined after years of disinvestment, even though it remains one of the most important and popular areas adjacent to Ball State's campus, according to the director of real estate services at Ball State, Chris Palladino.

"Ball State has been working for years to develop a long-term vision for the district - one informed by community priorities, campus planning and examples from other universities that have successfully revitalized the areas around their campuses," Palladino said via email.

Palladino said the revitalization of The Village is intended to strengthen the connection between Ball State, The Village and the broader Muncie community by creating a more vibrant district with new spaces for arts and culture, innovation, dining, housing, hospitality and community gathering.

The five main sites making their way into The Village include the Performing Arts Center and Cantio Hotel, the Mixed-Use Development, the Center of Innovation and Collaboration, the Village Green and the Village South Residential Developments, all of which are expected to open their doors later this year.

"We anticipate that construction will be completed this summer, and then we can move the students and the programs in there over the summer, so that when classes resume in August, it's up and running," Ball State University President Geoffrey Mearns said in an interview April 17, 2026.

Each new facility, Palladino said, has several elements that could directly impact the student experience.

Director of Ball State University's Center for Innovation and Collaboration, Bette Smith, shared her thoughts on the revitalization and her hopes for the center.

"The center was designed to provide open work space for students to collaborate and who are interested in starting a business in the creative / tech / media spaces," Smith said via email. "We're building on great things already happening on campus, and we hope that the center will be a place where students can experiment and learn with new tech - all in one space."

The center will have multiple open lab and studio spaces, according to Ball State University, such as an AR/VR/XR lab, a prototyping lab, video and editing studios and a podcast studio, as well as drones and 3D printers that will be available for use.

Smith said that The Center for Innovation and Collaboration's mission is not only to be a hub connecting the university with community and industry partners, but also to solve real-world problems through innovation and collaboration, specifically in the space of media, technology, art and design.

"The Center for Innovation and Collaboration is designed to support entrepreneurship, collaboration and community-connected learning," Palladino said.

Aside from the collaboration of dining, retail, gathering spaces, housing and improved walkability throughout The Village that can make the area around campus more active, Palladino said the most important need is a balanced mix of new facilities that will appeal to a broader market segment, not just undergraduate students.

"Our goal is to expand the businesses and activities in The Village so [that] it appeals to a broader market segment than simply undergraduate students," Palladino said.

The 65,000-square-foot Performing Arts Center will provide modern venues for the Department of Theatre and Dance, according to Ball State Magazine. The facility will also provide a scene shop that includes paint and welding areas, a costume shop, a 450-seat mainstage theater and a 4,000-square-foot flexible black box studio, according to Ball State University's website.

"The construction will take probably eight to 12 weeks for the Department of Theatre and Dance to move their costume shop and all of their other equipment into the Performing Arts Center. So there will not be a performance in the Performing Arts Center until December, and then student performances in January," Mearns said.

Department Chair William Jenkins of the Department of Theatre and Dance said that the Department of Theatre and Dance is very fortunate that the university is invested in their students, faculty, staff, alumni and programs.

"I hope it will help the community of Muncie see the extraordinary talents of our students and my colleagues," Jenkins said.

This revitalization also includes the addition of the Cantio Hotel, a building with on-site dining. It has a ground-floor restaurant and bar, a rooftop restaurant and lounge and a café, along with an exercise room and a gift shop, according to The Cantio's website.

"Already people are calling us to schedule events at the center and inquiring about the Cantio Hotel and the new Performing Arts Center," Smith said.

But the hotel is falling a bit behind some of the other facilities.

"The hotel is the one that's probably slipped a bit. That will probably not open for guests until maybe November and December," Mearns said.

Mearns said that he was hoping to use the hotel to welcome guests for the 100th homecoming event that is coming up in October, but with the delay, he is "a little disappointed" that they will be unable to use the building.

However, this does not include the other facilities that have yet to be completed in the revitalization.

"While the Performing Arts Center, The Cantio Hotel and the Center for Innovation and Collaboration are all expected to open this Fall, we're also excited to move forward on Village Green and the Village South residential development," Palladino said.

According to the February 2026 concept review published by Ball State University, the Village Green will provide a welcoming gathering space that invites connection and interaction, establishing another catalytic destination within the district that strengthens the connection between campus and community.

Not only that, but the revitalization is planned to include a mixed-use development that will consist of the Campus and Community Bookstore and a 15,600-square-foot Barnes & Noble. There will also be apartments above, designed with University and IU Health Ball Memorial employees in mind.

According to Mearns, the revitalization of The Village is a tangible demonstration of Ball State's commitment to community engagement.

Mearns and Palladino met with the dean of the College of Architecture and Planning and the chair of the Department of Urban Planning to discuss having a student design competition to help inform their plan. They expected approximately a dozen student groups to want to get involved, said Mearns, but when the conversation was brought up again in May 2025, there were 57 student groups that had come up with concepts for the project.

Mearns said he was most impressed with how the students in the design competition engaged with the broader community. They created a survey instrument that they distributed to the residents in the neighborhood, and they got almost 2,000 people in the community to share their perspective on what should happen with The Village.

But a revitalization does not come without complications.

Palladino said the most complicated part of this revitalization is the scale of effort. Because this is a phased revitalization involving multiple sites, public and private partners, funding sources, approvals, infrastructure improvements and ongoing communication with community stakeholders, he said mass-scale projects like this take time.

Even with current complications, Palladino said that any future barriers regarding this project will be related to financing, phasing, market conditions, infrastructure and coordination across multiple sites and partners. But he said that this has always been thought of as a long-term, phased plan and that Ball State has worked to move it forward thoughtfully.

Palladino also said that he wanted to highlight one important aspect of this revitalization: parking.

As the openings of these projects draw closer, Palladino said he wanted to let people know that ample parking will be available in and around The Village, with approximately 1,800 spaces within a four-minute walk and approximately 3,300 more within an eight-minute walk.

He said this revitalization is bringing new opportunities and facilities to The Village, as well as helping the area be defined as more than a campus-edge business district.

"The vision is for it to become a best-in-class, multigenerational destination shaped by arts and culture, entertainment, innovation, dining, retail, living, and gathering," Palladino said. "In that sense, the revitalization can help restore The Village as a place that feels connected to Ball State while also serving the wider community in meaningful ways."

The goal is that, in 10 years, The Village is a fully revived and lively mixed-use district that feels more connected not only to Ball State's campus but also to the rest of the Muncie community.

"We want it to be a place where people can gather, attend performances, support local businesses, explore new ideas, and experience the kind of energy and vibrancy that reflects both Ball State's mission and Muncie's future," Palladino said.

Contact Jayden Vaughn via email at jayden.vaughn@bsu.edu.

Jackman was first spotted on campus in September 2025, in the David Letterman Communication and Media Building, according to a brief released by NewsLink Indiana.

RELATED: Hugh Jackman spotted on Ball State Campus- Newslink Indiana

The Oscar-nominated actor has since made his presence known in both the campus and Muncie community, contributing to an acting workshop led by Ball State faculty member Sutton Foster and later attending the memorial for fallen Delaware County Sheriff's Corporal Blake Reynolds.

RELATED: Actor Hugh Jackman returns to Muncie, pays respects to fallen corporal

In an interview on President Geoffrey Mearns' podcast "Our Call to Beneficence," Jackman said the reason he had become a part of the Ball State community was his desire to dip his toes into teaching.

"I had this desire to perhaps teach and be around young people who I know are thirsty and a little scared of the unknown, and to be somewhat of a bridge. I was doing 'The Music Man' with Sutton, and [she] was telling me about Ball State, about the people, and actually how important it was to her, how much she got out of it and how it inspired her," Jackman said on the podcast.

It was this desire to experience teaching young people and to give back to the arts community, specifically in the realm of arts education, that brought Jackman to Ball State as a part of an acting workshop and talkback for the university's theater students.

Fourth-year Ryan Goldberg, a double major in theatre directing and film/media studies, reflected on her experience with Jackman's workshops and additional events this past year.

"It was incredible!" she said. "Him and Sutton had a luncheon with the junior and senior stage management and directing majors last fall, and both of them offered amazing insight."

She went on to describe the advice she received during these events, saying, "It was super interesting to hear their perspectives as working professionals, giving us tips and advice as we enter the industry. He is the kindest man and loves being able to help offer his wisdom onto the next generation of artists."

Jackman is receiving an honorary Doctor of Arts degree during the spring commencement ceremony, as announced in an April 6 Ball State press release.

"Hugh is a talented and versatile artist and an enthusiastic advocate for the arts and humanities. For these reasons and many more, I am grateful that he accepted my invitation to be our Commencement speaker," Mearns said in the press release. "I appreciate that Hugh continues to be gracious in sharing his time and talent with our University community. I look forward to hearing his address to our Class of 2026."

However, Mearns was not the only one to express excitement regarding Jackman's commencement address, as the campus and the surrounding community have been buzzing since the announcement of the Wolverine actor's promised appearance onto the lawn of the Quad.

First-year sports broadcasting student Grant Denney also exhibited excitement at the prospect of a celebrity's presence at this spring's commencement ceremony.

"I think it is awesome that he can take time to come here and speak to the graduating class, and even help inspire them to go on and live whatever their dream may be," he said. "I think it is one of the coolest things I've ever heard and seen, and [I] hope that he can be the speaker again when I graduate."

While many underclassmen, not just Denney, have been humming with excitement, those receiving one of the 2,800 assorted degrees, ranging from baccalaureate to master's, have also conveyed their enthusiasm.

Hayden Kedrowski, a graduate student receiving her Masters of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis at commencement, said the announcement felt personal and especially momentous for her.

"It's really a full circle moment with Hugh Jackman speaking at commencement," she said. "In middle school, we went on a field trip to see "Les Misérables" in theaters. In high school, we sang songs from "The Greatest Showman." Some of my fondest memories are choir concerts, where music he also performed was involved."

Kedrowski also mentioned the excitement she felt at being able to tell her loved ones, especially her best friend, that a person who had played a large role in her adolescent life would be speaking at her graduation ceremony.

"My best friend, who is a huge fan, is also coming to support me and this was a great surprise to call her with!" Kedrowski said.

Kylee Booher, a fourth-year receiving her Bachelor's of Fine Arts in Dance with a minor in kinesiology, was also thrilled with the announcement of Jackman's presence at graduation.

"I was extremely excited to see Hugh Jackman as our commencement speaker," Booher said. "It has been a pleasure having him on campus and working with him through workshops and talkbacks. He is dedicated to providing great opportunities for students at our school. He truly shows his commitment to trying to learn about each individual student here on campus. I am eager to hear his words of encouragement [at] this commencement!"

Ball State University's 2026 Spring Commencement Ceremony is being held May 2 at 10 a.m. in the Quad, according to the April 6 press release published by the university. Individual colleges will be holding their ceremonies after the initial celebration in both Worthen Arena and Emens Auditorium.

Contact Kyler Effner via email at kyler.effner@bsu.edu.

The Cardinals put together three complete sets to sweep the Bearcats 3-0 (25-23, 25-18, 25-21), and advance to the MIVA championship.

After the win over Northern Kentucky, Head Coach Mike Iandolo said the team just needed to control what was in front of them, and "take care of business." The head coach said the team is feeling "really good" following the sweep of the Bearcats, and that they are doing what they expected to do.

"Our guys' goal was to win in three [sets] and not let it get dragged out into a fourth and fifth set and let them get comfortable," Iandolo said. "They played really well."

Sophomore opposite Ryan Louis, who recorded 11 kills in the match, said the team has been preparing for performances like this all season. Louis said the team had three goals entering the season: win the regular season title, the MIVA championship and the national championship.

The team is now looking to fulfill that second goal.

"[We're] one step away from the next goal, so all we gotta do is go one step at a time, one game at a time [and] one win at a time," Louis said.

Louis said the team has been "really disciplined on the basics" in these past two tournament games, which has led to back-to-back sweeps. The opposite said the team has excelled at getting touches off the block, making simple defensive plays and scoring the ball when it matters most.

"It showed today, we proved that we are a better team," Louis said.

Iandolo said the team is focused on their second goal as a team, winning the MIVA championship. He said that although the team is tired of practicing this late in the season, they still have the desire to win and improve, which has led to their success.

"We just keep focusing on one match at a time," Iandolo said. "All you gotta do is win this match, nothing bigger than that, you just win the match, and then we get to do what we want to do."

Senior outside hitter Patrick Rogers recorded a game-high 16 kills in the match, and he said the team is playing some of their best volleyball. He said the performance against McKendree was the best the team could play.

"We're in a really good spot," Rogers said. "That's definitely trending upwards."

The team has a quick turnaround before the MIVA championship, which will be played at Worthen Arena April 25. Rogers said the team is focused on rest, stretching and preparation for their next opponent in the next couple of days.

The Cardinals will take on the winner of Loyola Chicago and Lewis, but Iandolo is more focused on the team "playing the way they need to play" rather than who their opponent will be.

"We just gotta keep it focused on playing good volleyball, and just win," Iandolo said.

The team's closeness has been something that has been reiterated by multiple players on the team, and that closeness is something Louis said is a reason for their success. Louis said in a tournament like this, it matters most that the team plays together.

"We're playing as one team," Louis said. "We're not individual players playing our spot, we are Ball State men's volleyball."

The Cardinals will have the opportunity to win their first MIVA championship since 2022 on Saturday. Rogers said while he wants to win the championship in his final season, he also wants to be able to do it for his teammates and the program.

"I think we can beat any team in the country," Rogers said.

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

On the very first play for Ball State offensively, sophomore infielder Brayden Huebner set the tone hitting his tenth home run of the season. The Cardinals stretched their lead to 4-0 in the first inning following a home run from junior Brady Davidson.

With three innings down-and-out, Ball State had increased their lead to 15-0.

Indiana South Bend finally managed to get on the score board in the fourth inning, putting up four runs to the Cardinals' 18. The fifth inning saw an increase in success for them as well as they put three more runs on the board.

After the fifth however, Ball State began to run away with it, getting back on the winning side of things 25-7 through seven innings.

"Today was really about getting some pitchers that we needed to get back on the mound, Strawmyer and Leduc were able to do some good things for us. We had the chance to get our younger players out there too. It was good to get some success", said Ball State Head Coach Rich Maloney.

The Cardinals have a three-game series against UMass this upcoming weekend at home. The Minutemen are 12-20 overall and 8-13 in Mid-American Conference (MAC) competition.

Coach Maloney stated on the upcoming matchup, "You always want to feel good going into a series. It's a big series, they've won six games in a row in the MAC and were trying to stay in the race. It's going to be a big weekend."

Huebner reflected on the game and his first inning home run, "I think it gave our pitchers confidence for sure. From the hitting perspective, I think we could improve on some things but we've been doing a good job. For myself, I've been a little too selective so today I was just aiming to be aggressive and get my barrel out. Hopefully this raises our confidence and our bats stay hot so we can keep going".

Contact Bryce Pennell with any questions @bryce.pennell@bsu.edu or on X @bryceBSUDN

Join the newest Cardinal Spotlight on a tour to the Burkhardt Building, home of the Department of History.

Meet Charlotte Harrison, your tour guide, and this week's Cardinal Spotlight. Born in Somerset, Kentucky, the senior classical cultures major has spent most of her life as a resident of Cambridge, Indiana.

Despite her current status as a student of classical cultures, Harrison was not always part of the Department of History. She started at Ball State as a chemistry major, but after reflecting on her future, she opted to explore her interest in classics.

"Classics has been an interest of mine for a while, so I thought I'd give it a try," Harrison said. "That was probably one of the best decisions I've ever made."

Harrison credits her mother's unwavering support of her creative endeavors, even when her focus wavered, with making her the person she is today.

"From my worst sketches to my proudest presentations, my mom has unconditionally supported my passions, no matter how often I changed my focus," Harrison said. "Without her encouragement, I don't know where I'd be."

In addition to the support from her mother, Harrison was inspired by her first professor, Christine Shea, to pursue a career as a professor of classics. She has found mentors in Shay and in professor Richard King.

"Dr. Shea has been a huge mentor for me in my classics journey, along with Dr. Richard King," Harrison said. "Both have an incredible reservoir of knowledge on a vast number of topics."

Harrison has had many opportunities to explore her passions within her major, but her favorite experience has been her work as a docent for the David Owsley Museum of Art. There, she has been able to sharpen her skills and knowledge as a classicist and find a passion for museum work.

"I primarily do tours with children; it's amazing what young minds can come up with when we discuss art," Harrison said. "I have also learned a lot about the various cultural objects we hold, and I plan on staying in the museum field while I'm working my way towards becoming a professor."

Harrison is well equipped to work as a docent and as a professor, as she credits her tendency to ramble about history as one of the most unique things about her.

"Sometimes it can be hard to break me out of my shyness, but one guaranteed way to do it is to mention something I can rant about. I'm well known amongst friends for ranting about various historical topics," Harrison said. "So, I think that's probably the most 'me' thing about me. I just love history, I can't get enough of it, and I want to share it with everyone."

No matter what passion Harrison pursues in her career, either as a professor or at a museum, she is sure to share her love of classics with others.

At Cardinal Media, we believe everyone at Ball State has a story worth telling. Cardinal Spotlight is our way of getting to know students beyond the surface - what they're up to, what matters to them, and what makes them who they are. Ordinary college life is more interesting than it gets credit for, and we want to hear about it.

As a long-time Gorillaz fan, I was very excited for their latest album, The Mountain. After their last release, Cracker Islandin 2023, I thought fans would have to wait at least five years for another release. I was happily surprised when The Mountain release was announced.

Much like past albums, The Mountain combines global influence with distinctly American ideals and commentary. Accompanied by an incredible short film, the album takes listeners on a spiritual journey about grief, identity, and how those things interact with the world around us.

Progression

Gorillaz is the king of album progression, taking listeners on a journey. The first song, "The Mountain," is mostly instrumental, with indistinct talking at the end. It reminds me a lot of "Plastic Beach." The very next song, "The Moon Cave," picks us up. It's striking how disconnected the lyrics seem from the song's instrumentals. The lyrics echo insecurity, asking, "Why am I taking so long? Why is my voice not strong now?" with the instrumentals chugging the song along almost by force. Fictional singer 2D's vocals sound strained, like he is trying to smile and move forward, but the world holds him back. More reminiscent of "Plastic Beach," the great Bobby Womack drops in with bars that drip with confidence and energy, juxtaposing 2D's.

Breakdown

I knew "The Happy Dictator" was going to be one of my favorite songs on the album when it was released as a single a few months before the album's release. It has the political charge and timely appeal that I loved in records like Humanz, but flips that on its head and tells the story of someone who is brainwashed by the current regime. Despite the distinct Hindi influence, this album still comments on the goings on in America, and this song is the perfect example. It romanticizes being under the spell of a dictator's regime, without making it seem too appealing. This sort of ignorance described is bliss, but something about the song just feels off. It sounds like a cultist's anthem, complete with the rhythmic chanting, "Oh what a happy land we live in." The instrumentals get stranger and the lyrics more distorted in the second verse, showing more obviously the corruption that is truly taking place.

After an experience like "The Happy Dictator," Gorillaz has no problem bringing the listener right back to reality. "The Hardest Thing" reminds the audience of the pain experienced during the ebbing and flowing of our lives. The song serves as a tribute to Tony Allen, who passed away in 2020, making his appearance in the song that much more chilling. The first time I listened to this song, I got goosebumps. As someone who has a particular interest in songs about grief, this song and the following, "Orange County," are easily tied for my favorite song on the album. Separating the two would be a disservice to the message they are trying to portray, and the hopeful tone that "Orange County" makes out of this experience with grief is just as important as the grief itself. "Orange County" is about not only experiencing joy despite grief, but joy because of grief. Contributor Kara Jackson puts this perfectly in the lyrics, "Every face you forgot, Father's Jaw, They suspend the clock, another start, get another chance to love." When you lose someone or something in your life, it gives you a brand new outlook on all those memories and all the people and things remaining in your life. These two songs tell us that grief is sad, yes, but "not your enemy." "The God of Lying" brings listeners perfectly out of this thought, asking, "Are you dying for an answer for what they call good grief?" It explores how hard coping with grief in the midst of what seems like the world falling apart around you can truly be.

Transitioning to the second half of the album perfectly, "The Empty Dream Machine" and "The Manifesto" remind listeners what they came for: a pure, uninterrupted Gorillaz masterpiece. Both songs tap into a sound that is so unique to this album, but also so inherently on brand with the Gorillaz sound fans have come to know and love. 2D's surrealist vocals are paired with an incredible rap feature and soul influence. This combines for a pair of songs that have been stuck in my head on repeat since the release of the album.

"Delirium" comes at the right place in the album. The album would start to drag on for me without its upbeat nature to keep me engaged. It's just enough to get me in the mood for "Damascus." Yasiin Bey, formerly Mos Def, is a Gorillaz classic and has perfect verses on this track. It's always a joy to see his genius on a track, and he has so much chemistry with Omar Souleyman in a way I haven't heard in a multi-language song before. Souleyman is speaking Arabic while Bey speaks English, but it sounds like they are talking to each other, with neither addressing the other directly. And not only are the two people speaking to each other in different languages, but the two cultures almost talk to each other in this song. Both people describe an unattainable person, Bey acting as the person, Souleyman acting as a yearning lover. The lyrics "لو إنك زبون حجازي, يِحرِم عليّي ملبوسك," roughly translate to "Even if you were a Hijazi Zaboon, It would be forbidden for me to wear you." A Zaboon is a garment in the Hijazi region of Saudi Arabia, worn for special occasions like weddings. Here, Souleyman is placing this person at a high status. He is saying he is not worthy of the occasion of this person's presence. In response to this, Bey says, "See me navigate the waves in the light and the black, Stars in the heavens and a breeze on my back," oozing ego and self-confidence.

"The Shadowy Light" continues this theme a little, but is weaker than "Damascus." Asha Bholse just repeats a long chorus, while 2D takes on religious themes in the verses. They don't feel like they relate very much, which makes it one of the weaker songs on the album for me, which is a shame because I love Bholse's voice and was excited to see her feature. Instrumentally, however, it makes up for it. It has such an amazing melody that I've found myself humming it a lot these past few weeks. It feels like a breath of fresh air and a perfect song to start winding down the album. "The Sweet Prince" and "Sad God" continue this melancholy, reflective vibe. I appreciate when an album gives you the space to reflect on the journey you just went on, and I think the final three songs on this album do just that. Lyrically, they sum up the overarching themes of grief, uncertainty, and coping. Instrumentally, they reuse some of the same melodies and sounds the viewer heard throughout the whole album.

Global and American Features

Gorillaz has always been famous for their many features and musical guests, from Snoop Dogg on Plastic Beach to Beck on Song Machine. The Mountain is no different, with Asha Bholse, famous for her work in Bollywood, and soul legend Bobby Womack.

The features on The Mountain do a wonderful job of introducing listeners to artists that they may not be familiar with. Gorillaz is not only inherently inspired by American culture, but they are also historically most popular in America, according to an article from Chartmasters. This makes the sheer amount of global influence in this album package some of these artists in the Gorillaz sound that American audiences may already be used to. As a long-time Gorillaz fan, some of my other favorite artists were introduced to me through the features in their songs, such as Little Dragon and De La Soul. Since the release of this album, I've been really enjoying IDLES and Trueno.

Listening to a lot of the features outside of Gorillaz, it's clear how the features and collaborators really mesh with the sound of the band. IDLES, for example, is one of many post-punk artists Gorillaz has collaborated with, but their album progression stands out as following a really similar format to Gorillaz.

Final Thoughts

From beginning to end, The Mountain takes listeners on a wonderful, global journey through grief, belonging, and identity while running alongside their iconic sound and imagery. Blending a global sound with commentary on the American political climate results in a masterful attempt at reminding their most popular audience base how much more there is to learn.

Sources:Chartmasters

At least 162 state officials nationwide have been publicly accused of sexual harassment across more than 424 distinct incidents over the last 12 years - including in the Hoosier State, according to the latest "Abuse of Power"reportfrom the National Women's Defense League.

The nonpartisanorganization is dedicated to preventing workplace sexual harassment and protecting survivors.

About 93% of accused state officials are men, the league has found, and most targets are women. The partisan split is more even: 52% of those accused are Republicans and 48% are Democrats.

That holds true in Indiana.

The report featured former House Republican Speaker Brian Bosma, who was accused of sexual harassment by a former intern in 2018, and Republican former Attorney General Curtis Hill.

Hill was added to the report for the first time as part of an expansion beyond state lawmakers to all statewide officials. Three female staffers and a lawmakeraccused him of unwanted touchingduring a post-legislative session celebration in 2018.

Two Democrats are also included: Rep. David Niezgodski of South Bend, who was accused by a former employee, and Sen. Greg Taylor of Indianapolis, with a whopping six accusers.

The league found that just 30% of accused lawmakers face any formal consequences and 40% resign. Only seven have served jail time.

In Indiana, Bosma didn't seek reelection when his term ended two years later, while Hill was disciplined by the state Supreme Court and lost his reelection bid. Both Democrats remain in office, although Taylorlost his position as caucus leader.

Staffers are about 40% of those targeted for harassment in statehouses.

"Staff are uniquely vulnerable in legislative spaces," said Elise Shrock, an Indiana political strategist who previously spent eight years working for the Senate Democratic Caucus.

"We work in close quarters with those who hold power," added Shrock, who is now on the league's National Advisory Council. "Staffers' livelihoods depend on them; recommendations, future jobs."

She spoke during a virtual news conference on Tuesday.

Although the league has logged more than a decade of data, the report is still likely incomplete, Founding Director Emma Davidson Tribbs told reporters.

"Understand that what we're presenting are conservative, public-facing counts," she said. "The reality is much worse. These numbers understate the harm. They don't deny it."

Davidson Tribbs noted that roughly 70% of people who experience workplace sexual harassment never report it. She also criticized opaque and biased government processes for handling accusations.

Most sexual harassment policies governing state legislatures are in chamber rules or other internal procedures instead of public law, according to the report.

Many states use panels with lawmaker members selected by legislative leadership, which "remain subject to partisan leverage and conflicts of interest."

The league recommended putting policies in state statute, using independent third-party enforcement systems, maintaining transparency without exposing survivors, imposing meaningful consequences on violators and more.

"The stakes are so high for survivors, but the reporting mechanisms fail them at every turn," Shrock said. "These are incredibly talented people, and we've lost them in these workplaces because our leaders and our systems close ranks, and simply lack courage."

Also on Tuesday, the league released its first "Abuse of Power"reportfocused on Congress. Former U.S. Rep. Mark Souder, a Republican who resigned in 2010, was Indiana's only entry.

Souder left Congress after news broke of an extramarital affair with a married staffer. He described the relationship as consensual and the case focused on ethical standards about relations with subordinates.

For decades, Tom Leaird's Underwater Service in Muncie has fostered a thriving community for local scuba (which stands for self-contained underwater breathing apparatus), divers and students at Ball State University. Leaird's Underwater Service is Muncie's only dive shop and has been a hub for local scuba enthusiasts for over 50 years. Since then, Ball State's scuba program has offered many opportunities for students to explore the underwater world.

Tom, now 86 years old, became an instructor at the Muncie YMCA in 1969, while still working as a full-time photographer.

"Tom loved scuba diving so much that he figured out how to open a small store," Leaird's store manager, Brooke Speedy, said. "Then he turned that small store into a bigger one."

Leaird's Underwater Service provides scuba equipment and training to individuals interested in diving and various underwater tools like dive cylinders and dive computers. The dive shop also offers a seven-week course for individuals ages 12 and up who are interested in getting an Open Water Diver certification. Participants do not have to be advanced swimmers in order to apply.

The dive shop does not just serve the general public; it also has a large presence among the local public safety community. Brooke explained that Leaird's sells diving gear and helps train public safety divers who rescue people. Leaird's has also collaborated with Anderson University and local high schools in Delaware County to teach scuba courses and provide equipment. Similarly, the shop has a strong connection to the Delaware Divers Club, which has existed longer than the dive shop itself. Members of the club hold various community events and fundraisers. They meet monthly and dive at Phillips Outdoor Center, a local dive facility and quarry owned by Tom.

In the early 1990s, as interest in scuba diving grew in Muncie, Ball State's swim coach at the time, Bob Thomas, became interested in launching a scuba program. Brooke explained that after purchasing scuba equipment from Leaird's, Bob connected with Tom, and together they began building a scuba program at Ball State. Currently, Ball State offers minors in both scuba diving and aquatics.

Leaird's provides Ball State's scuba program with all its scuba and snorkeling equipment. After classes, the shop sanitizes the regulators and refills the air tanks. Leaird's instructors assist Ball State scuba classes with certification exams and training that require additional instructors.

According to Ball State University's website, the scuba minor consists of 18 credits and includes courses in open water scuba, pool management, and aquatics. Students learn how to use specialty equipment, including air tanks, buoyancy control devices, and breathing regulators to complete underwater dives. When the program first began, it was taught by Carole Reed, who received her training from Leaird's. Carole taught scuba for 26 years. Sheli Plummer, the current instructor of the course, graduated from Ball State and also trained at Leaird's while she was a student.

"The minute my head is underwater, and all I can hear are bubbles, all stressors are gone," Sheli said.

Sheli got her first scuba job working as an instructor at a resort in Key Largo, Florida. She explained that Tom referred her for the job, and she worked there for five years. After moving back to Indiana, she eventually began teaching Physical Fitness and Wellness courses at Ball State. After Carole retired in 2018, Sheli began teaching the scuba courses. Sheli said scuba minors can receive three different certifications: Open Water, Advanced Diving, and Scuba Rescue.

Open Water Scuba is the program's first class, where students can dive down to roughly 60 feet. The advanced diving and rescue certifications focus on scuba rescue, allowing students to obtain CPR certifications for situations with distressed divers. Sheli said that to complete their certifications, students must also complete open-water training dives. Students take their certification tests in the quarry at Phillips Outdoor Center.

The highest certification you can get as a scuba diver is a divemaster, though it is not required to complete the minor at Ball State. Sheli explained that a divemaster certification is what divers need in order to work at a resort or teach recreational scuba. The scuba minor at Ball State also requires that students complete an internship. Brooke was an intern at Leaird's while in college and said the dive shop hires at least two interns each semester.

Leaird's mission statement reads, "Scuba students are the foundation of our business. Providing services for their continuing needs is the foundation of our success."

The impact on scuba students is measurable by the success stories of former Ball State students, such as Sheli, Brooke, and Carole, who all began their diving careers at the shop. More recently, Leaird's has influenced the life of Mar Nester, a third-year media production student working toward a scuba minor. Mar learned about the Ball State scuba minor through a promotional flyer they saw during freshman orientation.

"I think it takes a certain person to be a diver, especially in an inland state like this, because you kind of have to see beauty where other people don't necessarily," Mar said.

After taking an Aqua Fitness course as a first-year student to fulfill their Physical Fitness and Wellness credit, Sheli informed Mar about the scuba minor.

"Sheli showed me her passion for the ocean and her love for underwater life, and it was just really intoxicating. It was very contagious," Mar said.

Mar began interning at Leaird's during the spring semester of their second year and credits their experience at Leaird's with helping shape their future career. They hope to be a documentarian and science communicator. Mar has received many opportunities as a result of their scuba minor and connection with the Leairds. They have earned three awards from the Women Divers Hall of Fame, including the Bonnie Cardone Memorial Scholarship and the Underwater Photography Equipment Award. Mar said that they have received over $3,000 worth of scholarships from the organization.

Mar explained that the organization also provided them with camera equipment and a trip to New Jersey for a dive conference. Mar learned about the organization through Sheli, and Brooke wrote Mar a letter of recommendation for the scholarship.

"Scuba mentors show you their love for the water, and they show you how it's changed their life, and they show you a way that it relates to you and your life," Mar said.

The efforts of Leaird's Underwater Service have helped to establish a long-lasting culture of mentorship and unity among the Muncie scuba community. Sheli describes Tom and the other Leaird's employees as "real, down-to-earth people" who are not just there to make money.

As the dive shop approaches its 56th anniversary this year, Brooke credits the shop's multifaceted nature as the reason for its longevity. Brooke explained that diverse services, including selling and repairing gear, training students, and hosting scuba trips, have helped it thrive. Brooke said the shop has been very active in the Muncie area. Several times a year, Leaird's hosts an event called "I Tried Scuba," where individuals can get a free introduction to the world of diving.

Brooke also stated she was excited about the opportunity to host trips that are more eco-focused and involve sustainability initiatives so that divers can give back to the marine life. While Leaird's Underwater Service has inspired and supported the local scuba community for decades, its story is far from over. Brooke, who will one day take over the shop, hopes that in five to ten years, the impact will continue to expand to other communities.

"I hope to see our community grow even bigger and stretch into other parts of not just Indiana, but the world," Brooke said.

As the scuba community continues to grow and evolve, Leaird's Underwater Service remains a reminder of how support and mentorship can inspire generations.

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.