Good News October

Hello everyone and welcome to our monthly “Good News” outlet.

Students & Alumni

CCIM students earned 14 nominations for ACP Pacemaker Awards. Many of them were named 2020 Pacemaker Award winners. View the nominated work here.
The Hoosier State Press Association and Ball State Student Media are teaming up to help HSPA members provide more content for their audiences, while giving student journalists an opportunity to earn professional bylines. Read more.
CCIM is forming its first CCIM Alumni Council led by Tom Gayda (Journalism), Betsy Mills (Communication Studies), Dottie Kreps (Telecommunications), and Christopher Anderson (CICS).
CICS’ alumna Karen Mangia launched a best seller during the pandemic. Just 60 days later, she introduces a second book titled LISTEN UP! How to Tune in to customers, and Turn Down the Noise.

Journalism Professor Jennifer Palilonis receives the 2019-20 Mid-American Conference Outstanding Faculty Award for Student Success. Read more.
Communication Studies Professor Kathy Denker joined the Central States Communication Association’s executive committee as second VP. Learn about what she is hoping to achieve in that role in our faculty spotlight.
Ball State has hired Dan Marino as director of new Esports program that is competing in the newly created independent Esports Collegiate Conference Esports Collegiate Conference. Read more.
Photojournalism Professor Martin Smith-Rodden co-authored an article on COVID-19’s effects on visual storytelling published in News Photographer Magazine. View his article here.
Journalism Professor Gabriel Tait authored an article in Visual Communication Quaterly titled Seeing Liberian Culture Differently: A Portfolio from Sight Beyond My Sight (SBMS) Participants.
Telecommunications Professor Dom Caristi was interviewed by two news outlets earlier this month. He provided his perspectives on the public’s consumption and reaction to the first presidential debate: WIBC interview / ABC 57 interview.
CICS Professor Steve Jones earned a certification as an Amazon Web Services (AWS) Academy Accredited Educator.
Front Office Sports interviewed TCOM faculty Alex Kartman who talked about the creation of the Ball State’s varsity esports team. Read more.

Ball State Sports Link unveiled its new space and logo in a virtual ribbon-cutting ceremony. Read more and watch a recording of the ceremony here. Sports Video Group and Inside Indiana Business covered the news.

Dr. Wes Gehring is featured in new documentary titled “What’s So Funny?” The documentary was produced by Gary Harrison and Judy O’Bannon, former First Lady of Indiana, and explores the importance and power of humor in our lives both individually and culturally. Special attention was given to Hoosiers who have brought laughter to the world. The program will be broadcast on October 26, 27, 28, 30 on WFYI. Click here for information.
Cardinal Compass: Campus and Community Conversations (season 2, episode 2). Each month, the 30-minute program featuring President Mearns and his guests explores the connections between Muncie and Ball State. CCIM students produced, hosted, and edited the show as part of an immersive learning project led by Terry Heifetz. This month, President Mearns, Muncie Community Schools’ CEO Lee Ann Kwiatkowski and Teachers College Dean Anand Marri discuss the historic partnership between Ball State and MCS. Watch the full episode below.