August is here.

We’re ramping up for the new academic year. There’s lots of excitement in the air as we prepare to welcome new and returning students to BSU. They bring youthful optimism and a certain zest to campus. Most importantly, they remind us of why we are all here. Even if your work isn’t student-facing, try to connect with 1 or 5 of them if you’re feeling ambitious. It’s important to build a bridge with the younger generation. Teach and learn. Inspire and be inspired. We need them. They need us.

Did you know?

National Friendship Day, a holiday conceived by Hallmark, is Sunday, August 4th. The intention was to show appreciation to friends by sending cards. You don’t have to send a card but be sure to take the time to celebrate your friends including your work besties (Gallup – Q10: I have a best friend at work). Thank them for their support, counsel, presence in your life, for being a safe space for you, and all the other roles they fill.

Kudos

Congratulations to Peggy Smith (Account & Collection Specialist), winner of the 2024 Meritorious Service Award for Business Affairs! We thank you for your commitment, dedication, and contributions to the university. 

Her role and contribution to the department has been critical, especially over recent years when we launched our new Tax Intercept program, which has been very successful, and our project to assign all Perkins loans to the Department of Education that are 24 months or more past due.

Have questions about the nomination process? Chat with your AVP.

News from Our BA Leaders

Ball State Sustainability – Margaret Lo

Be part of the Sustainability Action Plan Creation – Survey

As Ball State prepares to create a Strategic Sustainability Action Plan, we are reaching out to campus stakeholders to see what they consider to be campus priorities. The survey will take 8-10 minutes to complete. We are eager to learn about the campus community’s experiences and hear your recommendations for future efforts. We want to hear from you! You can find the survey here.

Enduring Values

This month we are highlighting our enduring value, Innovation. We commit to be creative, responsive, and progressive. Each Monday in August, an innovation prompt will be shared on our LinkedIn page, Facebook page, Telus Health, and under the Enduring Values tab right here on our blog.

Upcoming Events

Join us on Wednesday, August 7th at 11:30 a.m. for a tour of the Health Professions Building. The 165,000-square-foot building opened in 2019 and is home to Ball State’s College of Health. Students have access to more than 30,000 square feet of clinical simulation spaces between the teaching labs, community clinics that serve the Ball State and Muncie communities, and nursing simulation spaces. We will meet near the entrance of the building. If you’d like to attend the tour, please email kcwebb@bsu.edu by EOB on August 5th.

Printing Services Tours

Tours of Printing Services are available August 8th and 12th at 10 a.m. and September 9th and 13th at 2 p.m. To sign up, please email ps@bsu.edu with your name and chosen Printing Services tour date/time from the options listed.

Cardinal Day of Wellbeing 
Save the Date: The annual Cardinal Day of Wellbeing event will be held Tuesday, October 29th in the Student Center, and we hope to see you there! All Ball State employees are invited and encouraged to attend. Programming will be offered around the five pillars of wellbeing – financial, community, physical, social and career.  Employees will also be able to visit vendor booths along with enjoying snacks and registering for prizes. Mark your calendar and keep an eye out for more communication about the sessions that will be offered and how you can register.

In case you missed it

Workiversary Emails

Wait, don’t delete that email – It’s not spam! In August, Business Affairs will begin sending annual Workiversary emails to our employees for your years of service beginning with your first year of employment and throughout your journey with us.  Our work would not be possible without you! We hope that it will add a smile to your day. We appreciate YOU!

Happy Birthday 

Happy Birthday month to Chifundo Biliwita (Director of Internal Audit and Advisory Services), Katy Callahan (Accounts Receivable Representative), McKenzie Carman (Human Resources Partner), Diane Drake (Senior Human Resources Partner), Jenni Flanagan (Assistant Director of Engagement, Wellbeing and Culture), Angie Gregory (Director of Employee Benefits),  Kyla McKillip (Senior Administrative Specialist to the Associate Vice President for People and Culture), and Melissa Rubrecht (Director of Employee Relations and Affirmative Action)! We are celebrating another year of life with you all and hope each of you enjoy your special day!

Questions & Feedback

Do you have quotes, recommended books, recipes, photos from departmental festivities, retirement news, an exciting life event you’d like to share, or just want to provide feedback? Send your contributions or comments to Kcwebb@bsu.edu. If you’d like to be recognized for your birthday, please complete the Business Affairs recognition form here. We’d love to celebrate you!