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Ball State to pay former employee $225K to settle case over Charlie Kirk comments

May 26, 2026

University President Geoffrey Mearns said he authorized the payout because it was “substantially less” than the expected cost to defend the case.

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Ex-Ball State employee settles with university president over First Amendment case

April 8, 2026

Cameron Shaw, The Indiana Lawyer

A former Ball State University employee who was fired for her comments following political activist Charlie Kirk’s death has settled a lawsuit against the university’s president.

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ACLU of Indiana sues Ball State leaders over school’s expressive activity policy, student discipline

March 3, 2026 | Maura Johnson, Indiana Lawyer

The ACLU filed two lawsuits Monday against multiple members of university leadership on behalf of nearly a dozen students involved in a late November 2025 incident.

Hoosier Survey finds support for legalizing marijuana, making health care more affordable

January 12, 2026 | Alex Brown, Inside INdiana Business

The survey asked 600 Indiana residents about a wide variety of topics, including what they thought about Indiana as a place to live, taxes, tariffs, redistricting and data centers.

Indiana’s public universities report fall enrollment gains

October 1, 2025 | Casey Smith, Indiana Capital Chronicle

But international student enrollment dropped more than 14% at Indiana and Purdue universities—the state’s two largest public university systems.

Former Ball State employee files federal lawsuit over termination for Charlie Kirk comments

September 22, 2025 | Alex Brown, Inside INdiana Business

The suit, filed Monday in an Indianapolis federal court, claims Suzanne Swierc’s firing was a violation of her First Amendment rights.

2025 Innovation Issue: Startup expert says founders need business skills in addition to a great idea

May 9, 2025 |

Dave Lindquist

Rob Mathews, executive director of Ball State University’s Entrepreneurship Center, views leadership and innovation as inseparable attributes for a startup.

UPDATE: Purdue lone Indiana men’s team in March Madness, with IU’s bubble burst

March 16, 2025 | Associated Press and IBJ Staff

Purdue is in the Midwest Regional of the NCAA men’s basketball tourney, meaning the team will play in Indianapolis if it reaches the Sweet 16. Meanwhile, three schools from Indiana will play in the NCAA women’s basketball tournament.

Minority college enrollment steady in Indiana despite ruling that ended race-conscious admissions

January 10, 2025 | Cate Charron

Experts say it will likely take a few years before the impacts of the Supreme Court decision fully shake out, especially given other factors that could have affected enrollment this year, like the shaky rollout of a new federal aid platform.

Football coach Mike Uremovich moving from Butler to Ball State

December 5, 2024 | Associated Press

Uremovich, who led the Bulldogs to three straight winning seasons, replaces Mike Neu, who was fired 10 games into his ninth season at his alma mater.

Ball State fires football coach Mike Neu after 4 straight losing seasons

November 16, 2024 | Associated Press

Neu spent nine seasons coaching the Cardinals, but only produced one winning season.

IBJ Podcast: Ball State hoops star turned bank CEO talks leadership tips, that UNLV game and making moves

March 25, 2024 |

Mason King

Mark Hardwick’s journey as a distinguished Ball State alum continues. He was a key player during the Cardinals’ run of NCAA and NIT appearances, and now he’s CEO of fast-growing First Merchants Bank after nearly 20 years as CFO.

IBJ Podcast: Civic Theatre’s music director, fellow BSU alum take Carpenters cabaret show to NYC

March 18, 2024 |

Mason King

Brent Marty and Amy Rafa discuss developing “The Carpenters Project” in the Indy area, getting gigs in New York and using their connections to classic pop tunes to explore themes of love, artistry and second chances.

Lilly Endowment awards $146M in grants to 6 Indiana schools for development projects

December 14, 2023 | IBJ Staff

The grants range from $5.8 million to $35 million each, with Ball State University in Muncie landing the largest grant.

NBA considering changes to All-Star Game format in Indianapolis

October 18, 2023 | Associated Press

Commissioner Adam Silver said Tuesday in a televised interview on ESPN that changes are coming to the All-Star Game.

Study identifies Indiana counties that could attract a semiconductor plant

December 21, 2022 | Wes Mills, Inside INdiana Business

The Ball State University study shows no Indiana counties in “Tier 1,” meaning communities that are “most likely” to attract a semiconductor plant and are in larger metropolitan areas.

Ball State lands $7.5M to support plan for new performing arts center

December 17, 2022 | Inside INdiana Business staff and IBJ Staff

The two gifts totaling $7.5 million from longtime supporters will be put toward development and construction of a performing arts center proposed for The Village, a business and culture district adjacent to campus.

AG asks Indiana Supreme Court to hear COVID case against Ball State

November 29, 2022 | Casey Smith, Indiana Capital Chronicle

The class-action lawsuit against Ball State University was filed by a student at the school last year. The legal challenge claims Ball State has refused to reimburse students for tuition and fees that were paid for in-person classes and services.

2022 Innovation Issue: Universities and affiliates lead energy research

May 27, 2022 |

Samm Quinn and

John Russell

Across the state, enthusiasm for sustainable energy is growing. And the state’s universities are leading the way with cutting-edge research and development projects related to solar, autonomous vehicles, nuclear power and more.

Appeals court allows students’ COVID breach suits vs. IU, Purdue to proceed

March 31, 2022 | Jordan Morey, Indiana Lawyer

Lawsuits filed by students at Indiana and Purdue universities alleging breaches of contract when the schools moved to online learning because of the COVID-19 pandemic will continue, the Court of Appeals of Indiana has ruled.

Ball State kicks off plans to revitalize Village district, build performance venue

March 25, 2022 |

Mason King

The university hopes to bolster the declining business-and-culture district by creating a center for theater and dance and green-lighting an Ohio firm to develop a hotel, apartments, retail spots, and spaces for office and research work.

Don Shondell, longtime BSU men’s volleyball coach, dies at 92

November 27, 2021 | Associated Press

Shondell, who coached the Ball State University men’s volleyball team to 13 NCAA tournament appearances, was frequently referred to as the father of Indiana volleyball. He coached the Ball State team for 34 years and saw dozens of his players go into the coaching ranks.

JUNE 12-18, 2026

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Susan Orr

Grand Park Sports Campus adds NFL flag football youth event

Mickey Shuey

Q&A: CEO leads OrthoIndy through period of growth

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