Announcing the 2026 Alumni Awards Recipients

Ball State University alumni are making a difference across the globe. From launching innovative businesses to advancing journalism, biology, education, public service, the arts, and countless other fields, Cardinals continue to lead with purpose and make a lasting impact.

Each year, the Ball State University Alumni Association Awards celebrate graduates whose achievements reflect the very best of the University. Honorees are recognized for their professional accomplishments, commitments to service, and dedication to strengthening both their communities and Ball State.

The 2026 recipients exemplify Cardinal excellence through:

• Civic and philanthropic leaders whose service has strengthened communities and advanced Ball State’s mission.
• Visionary entrepreneurs who have built successful businesses, created jobs, and sparked innovations across their industries.
• Nationally recognized experts in fields including historic preservation, education, and revenue management.
• Advocates for student success, mental health, and inclusive opportunities whose work has positively impacted thousands.
• Emerging leaders in business, arts, sciences, education, healthcare, and more who are leaving a mark in their fields.

Distinguished Alumni Award 

Larry Metzing

Larry Metzing, ’71, has spent more than five decades demonstrating exceptional leadership through his career, community service, and dedication to Ball State University. As a graduate of the Miller College of Business, Metzing built a distinguished career as a certified public accountant, entrepreneur, business advisor, and co-founder of Indiana Business Advisors, using his expertise to mentor professionals and business owners throughout Indiana. His commitment to Ball State has been equally significant, serving on numerous boards, advisory groups, university initiatives, and strategic committees while continually finding ways to support students, alumni, and the University. Among his many contributions, Metzing helped launch the Indianapolis Cardinal Networking Forum, creating an opportunity that has connected Ball State alumni for more than 15 years. Through his professional accomplishments, philanthropy, mentorship, and decades of volunteer service, Metzing has remained a dedicated advocate for his alma mater and exemplifies the leadership, service, and Cardinal spirit celebrated by the Distinguished Alumni Award.

Sandra Chapman Taylor

Sandra Chapman Taylor, ’86, has built an extraordinary career centered on investigative journalism, meaningful storytelling, and service to others. A graduate of Ball State’s Department of Telecommunications, Chapman Taylor spent nearly three decades as one of Indiana’s most respected investigative reporters, earning some of journalism’s highest honors, including a Peabody Award, multiple Regional Emmy Awards, an Edward R. Murrow Award, and induction into the Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame. Her reporting has informed audiences, inspired legislative reforms, advanced public safety, and amplified the voices of individuals and communities whose stories deserved to be heard. Today, as founder and president of Prince Media Group, she continues that work through strategic communications, documentary storytelling, and media consulting. Throughout her career, Chapman Taylor has remained deeply connected to Ball State, returning to campus as a speaker, mentor, and advocate for the next generation of Cardinals. Through her professional accomplishments, community involvement, mentorship, and commitment to public service, she exemplifies the excellence, leadership, and lasting impact celebrated by the Distinguished Alumni Award.

Benny Award

Mike Earley

Mike Earley, ’78, has spent decades demonstrating exceptional leadership, service, and dedication to Ball State University and its alumni community. A graduate of the Miller College of Business, Earley built a distinguished career as a business leader, entrepreneur, and advisor while maintaining a strong connection to his alma mater. Throughout the years, he has served Ball State in numerous volunteer leadership roles, including Alumni Council chair, Foundation Board member, president of the Miller College of Business Alumni Board, and chair of the Miller College of Business Executive Advisory Board. His commitment to the University can also be seen through his mentorship of students and alumni, leadership of networking initiatives, and continued support of Ball State’s mission and future. Beyond Ball State, Earley has shared his expertise with corporate and nonprofit organizations throughout Indiana, helping foster economic development and community growth. Through his collaborative leadership, thoughtful guidance, and dedication to helping others succeed, Earley exemplifies the service, involvement, and Cardinal spirit celebrated by the Benny Award.

Drew Holloway

Drew Holloway, ’10, has demonstrated an enduring commitment to giving back to Ball State University through service, mentorship, and alumni engagement. As a fisheries biologist with Muncie’s Bureau of Water Quality, Holloway has built a respected career in his field while remaining actively involved with his alma mater. His service includes leadership on the Alumni Council and the Natural Resources and Environmental Management Alumni Society Board, as well as involvement as a One Ball State Day ambassador, mentor, guest speaker, and supporter of internship fairs and career development opportunities. Beyond campus, Holloway continues to strengthen the Cardinal community by bringing alumni together at professional conferences, promoting Ball State within his professional network, and creating connections for students and fellow graduates. His dedication to mentorship and service also extends to the American Fisheries Society, where he has been recognized for his leadership and commitment to others. Through his willingness to continually step forward, support others, and represent Ball State, Holloway exemplifies the dedication, generosity, and Cardinal spirit celebrated by the Alumni Award.

Beth Olson

Beth Olson believes in paying forward the opportunities Ball State helped create. Throughout her successful professional career, she has remained committed to mentoring students, supporting her alma mater, and making a meaningful difference in her community. A 1994 Ball State graduate and managing director at KPMG, Olson has built a distinguished career while staying actively engaged with the university. She is a mentor for Miller College of Business students, participates in campus recruiting efforts, supports Women of Beneficence, organizes Homecoming activities for her Delta Zeta sisters, and is a loyal supporter of Ball State athletics and philanthropic initiatives. Her enthusiasm for the university is evident not only through her volunteer service but also in the pride with which she shares and promotes Ball State wherever she goes. Beyond her connection to Ball State, Olson has devoted countless hours to organizations that improve lives locally and around the world. Her long-standing volunteer leadership includes service with Joy’s House, the Global Orphan Foundation, Make A Wish Foundation, the American Lung Association, and initiatives supporting individuals experiencing homelessness and survivors of human trafficking. Whether serving on nonprofit boards, organizing fundraisers, or mentoring others, she consistently leads with compassion and purpose.

Alumni Achievement Award

Chloe Barnes-Henderson

From the basketball court to the boardroom and classroom, Chloe Barnes-Henderson, ’12 MBA ’14, has built a career dedicated to expanding opportunity through education, technology, and innovation. A former Ball State Women’s Basketball student-athlete and Honors College graduate, Barnes-Henderson credits her Ball State experiences with shaping her approach to leadership and helping others succeed. Today, she is the founder and CEO of Athletech Academy, a Detroit-based nonprofit reimagining education through the business and culture of sport, and a Professor of Practice at Michigan State University, where she developed a for-credit course focused on Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL). Her career has also included leadership roles with X (formerly Twitter), Oscar Health, and IPG Mediabrands, as well as extensive work in mentorship, entrepreneurship, and civic leadership. Barnes-Henderson remains connected to Ball State, returning to campus in 2023 as the University’s Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Speaker, and continues to use education as a catalyst for creating opportunity and empowering others to pursue new possibilities.

Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD) Award

McKenna Crews

Since graduating from Ball State in 2021, McKenna Crews has built a career dedicated to expanding educational opportunities for young people. As Grants and Special Projects Manager for the American Camp Association, she leads multimillion-dollar initiatives that strengthen youth programs and partnerships with colleges and universities across the country. Previously, while serving as Ball State’s University Youth Camp Coordinator, she directed a $1 million Lilly Endowment grant that significantly expanded access to summer programming for low-income, first-generation, and underserved youth. A member of the Ball State Young Alumni Council, McKenna remains actively engaged with her alma mater while pursuing a Ph.D. in Higher Education at the University of Toledo. Through her leadership, research, volunteer service, and commitment to creating meaningful educational experiences, she is helping shape brighter futures for students nationwide. 

Anna Park

Anna Park, ’19 MA ’22, has demonstrated a strong commitment to leadership, service, and giving back to Ball State University and her community. A graduate of Ball State’s Hospitality and Food Management and Communication Studies programs, Park remains actively involved with her alma mater through the Young Alumni Council, where she serves as Chair of the Beneficence Committee, as well as through speaking opportunities such as Miller College of Business Dialogue Days and the University’s SHRM student chapter. Professionally, she serves as an HR Consultant with Purple Ink, partnering with organizations across the country on employee engagement, HR operations, and recruiting while also providing career coaching to individuals navigating professional transitions. Her leadership in the field earned her recognition as the 2024 SHRM Indiana Professional Excellence Leader of the Year. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Park is a dedicated community advocate, serving as a foster parent in Delaware County and holding leadership roles with the East Central Indiana Human Resources Association and SHRM Indiana State Conference. Through her professional leadership, volunteer service, and continued engagement with Ball State, Park exemplifies the dedication, generosity, and Cardinal spirit celebrated by the Alumni GOLD Award.

Samantha Robbins

Sam Robbins, a 2020 graduate of Ball State University’s College of Fine Arts, has built a career rooted in creativity, leadership, and service. Sam serves as the Creative Services Specialist at Riley Children’s Foundation sharing the mission of inspiring people to invest in pediatric research, care, and programs. During her time at Ball State, Robbins was deeply involved in campus life through organizations including Hall Council, Student Voluntary Services, Outlet Hip Hop Dance Troupe, and Miss Ball State University 2019. She also made history as the longest-running titleholder in Miss America history, serving 13 consecutive local titles and earning 1st Runner-Up to Miss Indiana 2026. Her commitment to service has continued beyond graduation through involvement with Ball State’s Young Alumni Council, One Ball State Day, and her local community, including her work advising the Zionsville Alpha Leo Club, which led to her recognition as a Lions Clubs International Melvin Jones Fellow in 2025.

Bella Watts

Since graduating from Ball State in 2024, Bella Watts has continued to exemplify the University’s commitment to leadership, service, and lifelong engagement. A fourth-grade teacher with Avon Community School Corporation, Bella has already earned district recognition for excellence in her first year in the classroom while inspiring students through innovative, student-centered learning. Her connection to Ball State remains strong through her service on the Young Alumni Council and as President of the Ball State Dance Marathon Alumni Board, where she mentors student leaders and supports fundraising efforts benefiting Riley Hospital for Children. Whether volunteering weekly at Riley Hospital, advocating for future educators, or investing her time in University traditions and alumni initiatives, Bella demonstrates an unwavering commitment to making a positive impact in her profession, her community, and her alma mater. 

Quinton Zielke

Since graduating from Ball State in 2019, Quinton Zielke has emerged as one of the nation’s rising leaders in sports media production. As an Associate Producer for Amazon Prime Video, he creates award-winning content for premier live sports properties, including the NFL, NBA, NASCAR, WNBA, NWSL, and The Masters. Previously at ESPN, Quinton earned five National Sports Emmy Awards while producing features and content for flagship programs such as College GameDay, SportsCenter, and E60. His connection to Ball State remains just as strong as his professional success. A standout member of Sports Link as a student, Quinton now regularly mentors aspiring media professionals, offering guidance and encouragement to the next generation of Cardinals pursuing careers in the industry. Through his remarkable career achievements, commitment to mentorship, and dedication to serving his community, Quinton exemplifies the leadership, innovation, and generosity celebrated by the GOLD Award.