After a near-fatal car accident, Sarah Shore-Beck has leaned on her faith, family and strength to keep moving forward.
VOL. 106 ISSUE: 06
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President Donald Trump and top Republicans, along with Vice President JD Vance, mourned conservative activist Charlie Kirk, according to a Sept. 21 article from Tribune News Service (TNS). During the ceremony, attendees paid homage to Kirk’s Christian faith and his family in State Farm Stadium that was previously used to energize the same populist voters who helped elect the president in his second term. President Trump referred to Kirk as a “martyr,” saying that the attack on Kirk was not just an attack on “one man” but an attack on the “entire nation,” according to TNS.
The Ball State Daily News is committed to providing accurate news to the community. In the event we need to correct inaccurate information, you will find that printed here.
To submit a correction, email editor@bsudailynews.com.
The Trump administration has canceled grants for street safety measures, involving pedestrian trails and bike lanes in communities around the country this month, according to a Sept. 22 article from Tribune News Service (TNS). The U.S. Department of Transportation claimed that bike lanes “appear to reduce lane capacity,” adding it can be “hostile” to other motor vehicles. According to TNS, the department rescinded a $1.2 million grant for street safety nearly a year ago, with the Trump administration pulling back from a grant that would improve walking, biking and transit in Boston.
Sept. 20: The Ball State Cardinals football team took to the East Coast to face the UConn Huskies on Sept. 20. The Cardinals fell to the Huskies 31-25 in the mid-afternoon matchup. The offense for Ball State looked the most comfortable that they have all season, with quarterback Kiael Kelly having his best overall performance. The redshirt senior had his season high in passing yards with 209, while he also added a 19-yard receiving touchdown on a trick play. Ball State is now 1-3 after wrapping up their nonconference schedule. Looking ahead, the Cardinals have a bye week before hosting Ohio on Oct. 4.
A new performing arts center is coming to Ball State’s skyline in 2026.
In as little as a year, construction will cease, and the Muncie community will be able to enjoy Ball State’s up-and-coming Performing Arts Center. As of now, pedestrians experience detours with partial road closures on North McKinley Avenue and East Columbus Avenue.
On Nov. 14, 2024, Ball State University broke ground on one of its newest projects with local business Fairmount Properties, and several are excited about the construction team’s progress. While this addition is aimed at the school of Theater and Dance, the new building will open opportunities for the entire student body—as well as the community—to view a variety of live performances. A previous press release noted this is just one of the multiple prospective additions featured in the “Revitalising the Village” project that aims to bring a “vibrant district for arts, culture
Construction progresses steadily Sept. 10 inside the Performing Arts Center.
and innovation” to Muncie. Across the campus and community, several are looking forward to the completion of this undertaking.
For example, Rick Hall, chair of the Board of Trustees, described how delighted he is for students to receive this opportunity.
The Board of Trustees’ mission is “to prepare our graduates for fulfilling careers and meaningful lives, and this project is one way of opening even more doors for Ball State students,” he said.
Many staff and faculty members are thrilled about the progress of the construction. Ball State’s Production Stage Manager, Chris Bolender, has high hopes for the new Performing Arts Center.
Bolender described how the Department of Theatre and Dance is currently operating out of five different buildings, including the Fine Arts Building and the Oakwood Building. Meanwhile, the University theatre, which once housed the department, is in the midst of renovation.
However, Bolender looks forward to the renewal
of the space as it will bring dance studios, rehearsal areas and sound-isolated singing and acting spaces, all in addition to the new Performing Arts Center.
Bolender also explained several resources that come with the completion of the new center. He said the paramount amenities that the venue will feature are not one but two new theaters. Firstly, there will be the proscenium theater in which the entire audience faces one direction toward the stage; this space will include 415 seats, which, Bolender said, is about 35 more than the University theatre once held.
Furthermore, the site will house a black box theater whose setup can be altered in a variety of ways to suit the needs and goals of a number of productions. Moreover, Bolender said he looks forward to the new accommodations the place will offer for students.
After a Ball State employee lost her job for posting about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on her private Facebook account, the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana (ACLU) will be taking Ball State President Geoffrey Mearns to court citing free speech concerns, according to Indiana Capital Chronicle. No court date has been set as of right now.
Ball State University has introduced a new talent pipeline toolkit for communities and businesses across Indiana to have easier access to university resources, according to a Sept. 17 press release from Greg Fallon, associate vice president of university communications and digital strategy at Ball State.
Gov. Mike Braun warned educators that posting online in celebration of political violence could result in the suspension or revocation of their teaching licenses, according to the Indiana Capital Chronicle (ICC). Gov. Braun claimed that teachers play a “critical role” in an X post, after the aftermath of people taking to social media after the assassination of Charlie Kirk, according to ICC.
Here is the 2025-26 Executive Board representing the student body.
Shelby Anderson, Linnea Sundquist News Editor, Associate News Editor
With a new academic year in session, the Ball State Student Government Association (SGA) has a brand new executive board. Here is what they want students to know about them and their roles at the university.
Chelsea Murdock, a third-year student majoring in English and language arts teaching with a minor in African American Studies, is the president of SGA for the 2025-26 school year.
Murdock has been a part of SGA for three years and wanted to join to “connect” with the student body and the Muncie community. She initially did not plan to join the organization when she came to college, but said the opportunity “quickly presented itself.”
“This organization has brought me to some of my wildest dreams and helped me achieve so many goals!” Murdock said via email.
The role of the SGA President is to collaborate with members of the student body to look at outof-senate ideas and issues, and then work with the executive branch to achieve success for students and the community. Some of the top platform points the executive branch focuses on are transportation, transparency, safety, sustainability, academics, campus life, well-being, dining and a sense of belonging. Murdock said these are all things the board is looking to accomplish throughout the year.
Murdock was also a senator and the chief of staff for SGA before becoming the president of the organization. She said those experiences allowed her to learn “so much” about SGA and Ball State. Murdock said she wants students to know
that her door is “always open” and that SGA is “excited” to connect with them.
She hopes to continue working with students to provide ongoing support and outreach to the student body.
“I hope that this will also help our student population be truly seen and heard and their ideas and experiences valued,” Murdock said.
Murdock said her goal is to “see and feel” the changes that occur on campus, claiming they should be tangible and identifiable while also providing momentum to the student body to continue advocating for their needs.
The SGA Vice President for this year is Shaina Miller, a fourth-year political science and sustainability student at Ball State.
Miller has been a member of SGA for two and a half years and has always wanted to make a difference through “promotion of access, sustainability and community.” She joined SGA after receiving encouragement from her mentors in her sorority, Kappa Delta, to make a difference within the campus community.
Miller gained experience to take on this role after serving as the chapter president of Kappa Delta as the Democracy Fellow. In this role, student leaders encourage civic participation from students and contribute to projects that discuss democracy and civic life, according to the Ball State website.
The role of vice president of SGA is to serve as the president of the student senate. The vice president oversees topics such as students’ rights, ethics and the standards committee of the university senate, according to Miller.
Miller feels “honored” to step into the role of vice president and wants to reassure students that
an organizational representative. She is currently the vice president of the College Democrats at Ball State, and she said the club has helped her learn more about the American government.
Evett said the role of the chief administrator is to ensure all students are permitted to see what the senate is discussing. She also stated that, as chief administrator, she is responsible for recording meeting minutes, taking attendance at each meeting, managing student reservations and overseeing an independent committee called Event and Feedback.
Currently, Evett does not have any specific policies she wants to work on, but she said she is trying to complete as many “current platform points” as possible.
Evett is excited about stepping into this role and said that her top priorities right now are to ensure that she is taking accurate meeting minutes for the organization.
“I hope to accomplish a strong relationship between students and our Student Government Association,” Evett said via email.
Caroline Emerick is a fourth-year human resource management student and is the 2025-26 SGA treasurer. Emerick has been in SGA for three years now.
she will advocate for all of their needs, claiming she has a “personal interest” in ensuring the sustainability of the campus and engaging students in sustainability efforts.
“My top priority is to serve the student body through execution of our platform points, increased efficiency in the student senate and engagement,” Miller said via email.
Fourth-year political science student Hunter Case is SGA’s president pro-tempore.
Case has been part of SGA for four years and wanted to join because he wanted to be a part of something that “makes change” while also desiring to work with the upper administration.
Case has had prior experience working with leadership roles in high school, when he was a leader in his school’s marching band. He explained that experience taught him how to “lead people.”
The role of president pro tempore will require Case to advocate for and implement changes on behalf of the student body, while also recruiting and retaining members. Case said that he wants to advocate for “student access and belonging on campus” while also hoping to fill the caucuses, to their “max.”
The caucuses are five groups that best represent the student body. They are on-campus, off-campus at-large, organizational and collegiate.
Philena Evett, a fourth-year criminal justice and criminology major at Ball State, has been elected as chief administrator for the SGA executive board this school year. This will be Evett’s third year being involved with SGA.
Evett joined SGA when the organization needed
Her experience has prepared her for SGA through her positions on the Miller Dean’s Student Advisory Council. For the three years she has served, she has held the roles of associate director and vice president, and currently serves as president. This has enabled her to significantly develop her leadership skills through professional business development. She also serves currently as the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) collegiate chapter president and county ambassador.
Emerick said she wants students to know one simple thing about her.
“I endeavor to use my passion for leadership to continue and further all goals SGA aims to achieve this year,” she said.
The treasurer’s position requires many tasks, such as being a crucial part in overseeing all funding requests the student senate puts forth, running the SGA Finance Committee, serving as a voting member on the Student Organizational Funding Allocation Committee (SOFAC) and maintaining consistency with funding records in the SGA budget as expenses are incurred.
One of the major issues Emerick said she wants to stand for is advocating for students with dietary needs to make it more accessible.
During her time on the board, she said her wish is to accomplish “educating senators” about new ideas for the SGA funding, financial literacy from her education background in business finance, as well as continuing the consistency of SGA’s financial records. She also hopes to help achieve all the platform points outlined by the executive board.
“Leadership should always be used with good intent at the forefront of all purposes, and as a future business leader, I am eager to lead by this,” Emerick said via email.
‘Do you
Ball State soccer’s coaching sta is more than ready to start a new era of play.
Trinity Rea, Associate Sports Editor
Editor’s Note: Associate Sports Editor Trinity Rea has personal friendships with players on the Ball State soccer team; none of those individuals were interviewed or provided information for this article.
When Andy Stoots arrived in Muncie to take over as Ball State’s head women’s soccer coach, he brought more than two decades of coaching experience and a fresh perspective for a program eager to grow. Joining him on the sidelines are assistant coaches Lewis Tomlinson and Chyanne Dennis, a staff built to push the program forward. In his first season at the helm, Stoots is balancing the challenge of shaping a new identity on the field with building a lasting culture off it. He and his staff sat down with the Ball State Daily News to discuss his transition into the role, the values driving his leadership and his vision for the future of Ball State Soccer.
Q: You bring over two decades of
experience coaching to this role, but this is your first time stepping into a head coaching position. What has that transition been like?
Stoots: “I really think it’s been, I don’t want to say seamless, that’s not the right answer, but I have been afforded some really good opportunities where I’ve had a lot of responsibility and all those sorts of things … We have people that play a ton, we have people that don’t play a ton. So I think just team management and staying on top of that, that’s certainly a learning curve as it is for anyone. You know, when you’re an assistant coach, you kind of manage yourself, plus maybe one or two other people. But when you’re a head coach, you’re responsible for everyone, and so, you know, that’s the one piece.”
Q: You emphasized in a prior interview with Newslink Indiana that you chose the people over the place. What specifically about Ball State’s community or leadership stood out during the hiring process?
Stoots: “I don’t think people know how special
the community of Muncie is at all. I have run into people here who have gone out of their way to be helpful, not just to the program, but to me and my family … I think the Ball State community, just the amount of people that are around our program that have a genuine care and concern for our student athletes, and just want to see them be their best, is special. When I was first hired, I think that first week or two, I tried to spend 30-45 minutes with every player on the team, and one question I asked them was: ‘Why did you choose here? Why did you stay?’ When their previous coach left, they had every opportunity to leave, certainly, there were a lot of different answers. There was the ‘Well, I love the coaches and I love my teammates and all those sorts of things,’ but I would say the one constant was relationships with people in the Ball State community, whether it be in academics, administration, those sorts of things, because it’s a welcoming place. It’s a place that embraces people. I think that makes Ball State special, and that’s a huge reason why I chose to come [here].”
Ball State baseball will have a pair of scrimmages for their “fall ball” schedule, according to Ball State Athletics. The Cardinals will host Butler University at noon on Sept. 27, and there will be an alumni picnic. Ball State will also take on Indiana on Oct. 3 for their final scrimmage and that game will be held at Grand Park in Westfield.
Ball State women’s volleyball hosted three opponents on the weekend and came away with three losses. The Cardinals hosted Cincinnati, Purdue and Eastern Kentucky. Ball State lost in five sets to both Cincinnati and Eastern Kentucky, and was swept by Purdue. The Cardinals have struggled in five-set matches this season, with four of their eight losses coming in the final set.
Ball State soccer suffered their third loss of the season at home on Sept. 21 to Kent State. The Cardinals only allowed one goal, but they failed to reach the net. The loss moves Ball State’s conference record to 1-11, coming off of a win against the University of Massachusetts and a tie to Central Michigan. The Cardinals will look to bounce back on Sept. 25 when they travel to New York to take on Buffalo.
First-year Ball State soccer coaches talk about their coaching transition, the team’s evolving identity and vision for the program’s future.
Continued from Page 5
Q: At the time of this interview, you are already a few games into this season and have a .500 record. How well would you say players have bought into the team’s new identity and style of play?
Stoots: “Really happy with [the team], they’re working their tails off, there’s no doubt about it … I would say, buying into the way that we want to approach things, and the basic principles that we want to implement on the field, I’m really happy with where they’re at. At the moment, it’s not perfect, and I’m not sure it’s going to be perfect, but they’ve trained hard and they’ve worked hard. I think there might be one or two days that we were kind of disappointed with their performance, but gosh, I couldn’t be happier with them in terms of their buy-in to not just what we’re doing on the field, but holistically with what we’re doing. I think from the very beginning, you know, when Louis and I got here in the spring, that’s kind of been the story since then. They’ve really embraced us, embraced some new ideas, so I’m grateful for that, but really happy with the direction we’re moving in.”
Q: What values or culture points would you say are non-negotiable for your program?
Dennis: “I think at the end of the day, you’re not gonna make the best pass every time. You’re not gonna shoot every shot and make it, but at the end of the day, your work ethic is something that’s nonnegotiable. That’s something you can control. So I think that’s for sure the number one thing that’s hard work and being willing to kind of put your all out there. I mean, the girls love each other off the field, so that wasn’t hard; they absolutely love each other. But now it’s the piece of okay, can they hold each other accountable on the field? That’s what really determines a good team from a great team.”
Q: Your first win came with a 4–0 victory against Eastern Illinois. What did that moment feel like for you and the team?
Stoots: “It was special, because you know, you’d love to get it at home, but gosh, I don’t think that people realize how hard winning is. Winning is hard, you know, I think you mentioned I’d been coaching for two decades, that’s a long time. I’ve learned that you think winning is always fun and all of those sorts of things, but it’s hard man, especially on the road. I don’t think people can appreciate the work the players put in that day … It was a special day that I’ll always remember.”
Q: How do you envision the program evolving under your leadership over the next three to five years?
Stoots: “We talk about three things. Our goals are to maximize each individual on the team. Our goal is to maximize the team’s capabilities, and then we want to win a Mid-American Conference championship, right? I mean, Ball State Women’s Soccer has never competed in an NCAA tournament, and I am really drawn to trying to do things and be a part of things that no one else has ever done, and that’s ultimately what we want to do. We want to compete in the NCAA Tournament. Conference tournament is awesome to be able to compete in, but I’ve had the fortune to be a part of a lot of big games and be in NCAA tournaments, and from a student-athlete perspective, there’s nothing more special than having a chance to compete in that tournament. So that’s our ultimate goal, that’s what we’re trying to do here. We want them to leave the program and know that they can go be badass at whatever they choose to do in life.”
Q: What would make you, at the end of your first season, call it a success?
Tomlinson: “I’m not a good loser. We want to win every game we play, and that’s always going to be our intention. That only points to one place. So anything short of winning is something where we’re going to have a level of disappointment, and we’re going to hyperanalyze what we can do better to get to that place next season. But I think to break that down a little bit, if we can walk away from the season and feel like the girls have given everything they’ve got, that we as a staff have given absolutely everything we’ve got and that we’ve maximized everyone, individually, everyone as a collective and there’s a sense of pride upon how we’ve competed for the season, I think, as a first year, as much as we want trophies, that’s gonna be a good benchmark.”
Q: Any message you want to share with the fans who want to or already have come out in support of your team so far this season?
Stoots: “Do you want to be entertained? Our first game against Purdue, we had about 800 people there. It’s been a while since Ball State soccer had 800 people at a game. We’re going to play a fast, physical style of play. It’s fun to watch, and our goal is also fun to play in. If you’re looking for entertainment, if you have a young daughter or a young child, and you want to see a bunch of badass women compete their tails off and be in a position to have a mentor for your child, you need to show up to our game.”
Contact Trinity Rea via email at trinity.rea@bsu. edu or on X @thetrinityrea.
‘Romeo and Juliet’ premiering Sept. 26
Sarah Shore-Beck was told by 11 doctors that she shouldn’t be alive today following a collision with a semi-truck.
Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ will debut this weekend at Brown Family Amphitheater, according to a Sept 22 press release from Ball State Communication’s Center. The play will feature a “modern twist” from director Matthew Reeder. All performances are free and open to the public, according to the release.
According to a Sept. 22 press release from Ball State Communications Center, registration for the university’s civic studies and democracy conference, happening Sept. 25 - 27 in L.A. Pittenger Student Center, is still open. The event brings voices together to explore the intersections of character and community, according to the release.
A Sept. 22 press release from Ball State Communications Center detailed Muncie’s Minnetristra Museums and Gardens student discount, allowing Ball State students “to connect beyond campus,” according to the release. The discount includes free admission to exhibits like the Bob Ross Experience, happening Sept. 25.
Sarah Shore-Beck practices her balance during physical therapy Sept. 11 at Indiana University Health Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation. Beck returned to teaching at Ball State this semester.
Trinity Rea Associate Sports Editor
Sarah Shore-Beck remembers only fragments of March 27. First responders said she gave a number to a stranger and asked whether anyone else was hurt, but a long blur swallowed the rest of the day. Driving from her home in Noblesville to Ball State’s campus — where she has worked for 13 years as a teaching professor of exercise science — Beck took the same route that had become part of her weekday routine.
At 8:30 a.m., that routine unexpectedly shifted with a 75 mph rear-end collision with a semi-truck.
The ordinary morning became a scene of flashing lights, accompanied by an overlapping chorus of sirens, urgent voices and the low thunder of helicopter blades. Beck said she was trapped in her crumpled car for 47 minutes before first responders could free her.
She credits her life to two bystanders on-scene: a former aviation nurse carrying anticoagulants [blood thinners] and IV fluids in his car and a woman with military training who broke and crawled through the back car window to start administering the IVs.
“I was told by 11 doctors that I shouldn’t be here today … I truly believe that God placed those two
angels behind my accident on purpose,” Beck said, adding that a blood clot found later should have killed her.
‘I shouldn’t be here today’
Now, her focus isn’t on the wreckage — but rebuilding. As she works through physical therapy and emotional healing, Beck said she has used her experience as a platform to motivate others.
When she woke up in a nearby hospital two days later, Beck was intubated and had a laundry list of injuries. She learned she had a compound fracture in her right leg and her ankle was stuck under the dashboard after the crash. When she was removed
from the wreck, it was dislocated in the process, and every bone and ligament in the ankle was fractured. Her head was lacerated, she had blood clots throughout her lungs, and doctors later found an aneurysm in her carotid artery.
Upon waking up, Beck was questioned by doctors to assess her cognitive function. One had asked whether or not she knew her husband, Jason Beck, who was at her bedside.
True to her humor, she initially answered no.
“I shook my head, and then, I gave him a little smile and a head nod. They all just busted out laughing because, you know, they’re wondering if I have brain damage,” Sarah said.
I was told by 11 doctors that I shouldn’t be here today … I truly believe that God placed those two angels behind my accident on purpose.”
- SARAH SHORE-BECK, Ball State Teaching Professor of Exercise Science
Jason said his heart initially dropped when he thought his wife did not remember him. But even through the tube, her muffled laughter was something he welcomed as an initial sign of hope.
“Just to have that laughter, that brevity — it just lifted the hardness and the reality of what we were facing. At that moment, I knew we would get through this together,” he said.
Another moment that has stuck with Jason came a couple of days later, just after the tube was removed. He said one of Sarah’s first questions was not about pain or the prognosis, but instead she asked, “Where’s my computer? How are my students?”
Jason said he laughed and thought, “Sweetie, you’re not going back to work for a while,” but said that instance showed the heart of his wife: already thinking about her students and how to teach again.
“Most of us were just more concerned with getting her healthy, and her mindset was [focused on others]. She always cares so deeply about everybody,” Jason said.
In the following days, Sarah had numerous surgeries and was told by doctors she would spend four to six weeks in the hospital. Yet, after nine full days of procedures and uncertainty, she was able to head home.
‘150
Sarah spent over a month in a wheelchair, unable to bend her right leg or put weight on her left. Jason stayed home with her and their kids for three months to assist with everyday tasks, some as mundane as using the restroom.
He said that despite the circumstances, he was thrilled to be her caregiver, and added that while he had always known Sarah was strong, the experience gave him a deeper perspective on just how strong she was.
Just weeks after being unsure if she would ever walk again, Sarah was cleared to slowly start exercising her upper body with three-pound weights. “It was very hard being in a wheelchair because
I’ve been this person who has not missed more than two days of working out my entire existence,” Sarah said.
Alyssa Emata, Doctor of Physical Therapy, is not just Sarah’s physical therapist at Indiana University Health Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation but also her former student. To her, their “fullcircle” connection has been both “inspiring and rewarding.”
“From the early days of therapy to now, each step forward has been a reminder of her resilience and commitment to the process,” Emata said via email. “… Seeing her regain her independence and return to activities that mean so much to her, such as returning to teaching and being able to go out with her children, has been some of the most meaningful parts of my work.”
The pair agreed that the match felt almost uncanny. Emata had just moved to the area and started a new job at the rehab center a little before the crash. When Sarah learned Emata was a potential therapist, she messaged the former student and asked Emata to be her physical therapist. Sarah said Emata started crying and told her, “I would love that.”
The pair agreed that their relationship slipped back into a familiar rhythm quickly. And now, over roughly three months of care, Emata has watched Sarah progress from a wheelchair to a four-prong cane.
“Healing is never a linear process, but even on her toughest days, Sarah showed up to physical therapy and gave 150 percent, even when I was only asking for 90,” Emata said.
‘God did save me’
For Sarah, her anchor through it all has been something deeper: her faith and family.
In the months since her accident, Sarah said her faith has only deepened. For her, the setbacks, surgeries, physical therapy — and even the accident itself — have all carried a sense of purpose.
“I feel like there’s a reason [for this]. I am an extremely strong, stubborn person, and I think that the weight of it on my shoulders is God [saying], ‘Yeah, you got this,’ and that’s totally OK. If that’s what it is, that’s what it is,” Sarah said.
The aneurysm in her carotid artery became the focus of a difficult meeting with her neurosurgeon.
Facing yet another surgery, Sarah said it became one of the moments where her faith was most tested.
“I walked out of [the appointment] and was like, ‘God, why? Why are you doing this to me?’” she said.
Sarah said she had been praying for reassurance that God had placed the right doctors in her path, and would continue to for this surgery. She said she now believes the timing of her care was no coincidence.
Her neurosurgeon turned out to be the cousin of a former colleague, who called her in the middle of the night to reassure her that she would be OK. The colleague also reached out to Sarah’s doctor directly, to let him know about the connection, and the next day, the doctor’s own mother reached out to Sarah online — a moment she described as “confirming everything” she had prayed for.
The surgery was expedited, and doctors told her that moving the date up likely prevented a stroke.
Continued from Page 09
Alongside her faith, her family has also sustained her. Married for 14 years, Sarah called Jason her “rock” and said their relationship has grown stronger throughout the journey.
Their three children, all under the age of seven — Hudson, Hadley and Holton — are another constant source of motivation. After struggling with infertility, Sarah said she views them each as their own miracle.
Jason said he was amazed at how the children adapted to the challenges. When Sarah first came home from the hospital and could not go upstairs, everyone ended up sleeping in the family room.
Other moments were difficult, like trying to explain to them why Sarah would have to go back to the hospital for surgery, but the family found ways to adjust and support one another, ultimately bringing them closer.
‘How dare I leave these students?’
Even though she is still recovering and attending various therapy sessions throughout the week, Sarah said she is grateful to return to teaching this semester remotely. She said a lot of her energy comes from her students, and true to her faith, there has not been a year when she hasn’t contemplated not returning to Ball State.
“I had a ‘God wink’ that was like, a student needed me, and I said, ‘How dare I leave these students?’ Every year has been a God wink of, ‘I need to return,’” Sarah said. “[But], it’s hard this semester, being away from that [in-person] student contact; I feel like God has put me in that position to make those connections.”
Her colleagues and students have rallied around
(Left) Sarah Shore-Beck works on her leg strength during physical therapy Sept. 11 at Indiana University Health Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation. Beck said she has used her experience as a platform to motivate others. ANDREW BERGER, DN
her, offering support and encouragement. Senior Lecturer of Exercise Science and Coordinator of Undergraduate Exercise Science Program, Mary Winfrey-Kovell, described Sarah’s impact on students and the university as deeply personal and far-reaching. She explained that Sarah’s care is not limited to teaching: Sarah notices when someone is struggling and makes a point to support them as a human being.
Kovell said during Sarah’s recovery, both students and faculty noticed her absence because of the energy she brought to the classroom.
“As educators, we have a higher calling, and in my opinion, we need to be held to a higher standard. I think she fits that bill,” Kovell said.
Beyond the classroom, Sarah has also poured her energy into Fit4Shore, a platform she created a few months before her accident. The fitness and wellness app offers “easily accessible” programbased workouts, according to its website, designed to keep people moving and motivated.
She said her vision was never limited to physical exercise, but she also wanted to help others find strength in every aspect of their lives.
Through her platform and social media presence, Sarah has carried that same mission into her recovery: documenting each step of the journey on Instagram. She said she approaches her own healing with purpose and also hopes to inspire others along the way.
“God did save me, that I truly believe … You are meant to be here for a reason. Some people find out early on, some people find out later, but everybody has a purpose here in this world. What is yours? I’m still trying to figure that out,” Sarah said. “It’s not, ‘[God,] why did you do this to me,’ but ‘[God,] how can I use this to glorify you?’”
Contact Trinity Rea via email at trinity.rea@ bsu.edu or on X @thetrinityrea.
Doctor of Physical Therapy, Alyssa Emata, helps Sarah Shore-Beck practice her leg strength Sept. 11 at Indiana University Health Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation. For Emata, their “full-circle” connection has been both inspiring and rewarding. ANDREW BERGER, DN
Romances add great variety to the literary space, despite not being branded as real literature.
Associate News Editor, “The Sundquist Digest”
Linnea Sundquist is a second-year journalism major and writes “The Sundquist Digest” for the Daily News. Her views do not necessarily reflect those of the newspaper.
For as long as I can remember, I have always loved to read. The familiar feeling of opening a brand-new book and diving into a new literary world never fails to brighten my day. The joyous feeling of the smooth pages against my fingers as I anticipate what will happen next on the following page, as the feeling of intrigue sparks in my chest.
But as I scan my bookshelves for my next read, I can not help but pick up a genre I know could do me no wrong: romance.
Romance novels were the start of my reading journey. I have been a reader all my life, but during the COVID-19 pandemic, my desire for reading soared tremendously. With all my extra free time, I found myself reading constantly. Book after book, I discovered a whole new world of peace and comfort I never knew existed, craving to read as many romances as possible.
Over the years, books piled up onto my shelves with cracked spines and bent pages. I would not have given myself the honorable title of “reader” if it were not for this genre, which initially started my passion for reading.
I remember the initial spark of curiosity in my eyes when I first saw the pastel cartoon covers, and I needed to know what story was written on the pages beyond them. Ever since, I have continued my romance-reading passion. Now, I can still be found reading about many different couples with all kinds of fun and thrilling stories.
Unfortunately, not many other readers are as enthusiastic about the genre as I am.
romance genre has been a problem in the literary world, even with a 52 percent surge in book sales in 2022, according to a June 2023 National Public Radio (NPR) podcast by host Juana Summers.
Romances are commonly read by women, with 82 percent of women reading the genre and only 18 percent of men, according to Romance Writers of America. Like every piece of media loved by women, men have some sort of problem with it. We have seen it with the Twilight franchise being seen as too “cringey,” the Barbie movie being regarded as “man-hating feminist trash” and now with romances being seen as not real literature. Needless to say, women can never catch a break when it comes to enjoying any type of media content.
An April 2024 article by Medium claimed that one of the main reasons why some readers “hate” the romance genre is due to the stereotype that the writing is “poorly written” or “lacks literary merit.” The article also claims that there has been a social stigma regarding reading romances, which has viewed the genre as “trashy” or a “guilty pleasure” read.
book that has been deemed as “unimportant” in regards to the literary world. I have figuratively “taken a walk in people’s shoes” to learn things that I myself am not too familiar with.
Reading books written by authors from various backgrounds helps the reader not only connect with the story and the characters but also with the authors themselves. So reading romances with authors drawing on real-life experiences or realistic situations from their day-to-day life has always intrigued me all the more. I gain so much more knowledge by learning from characters of varying differences living out their lives than I would from any other genre.
While the common theme in the romance genre is falling in love and happy endings, each novel is unique in its own way.
One of the reasons I have always been a major fan of the romance genre is the varied representation of multiple communities and groups of people. As someone a part of the LGBTQ+ community, it has always been important to me to read about other queer relationships in the books that I read. Not just queer relationships, but also reading about relationships with people of color characters, characters that have disabilities and mental health discussions have always been an important aspect for me to learn about others. Diversity makes readers feel seen and heard, making them feel included in the romance space.
These interpretations of romances simply cannot be true. Romances have been highly respected in literature for decades, with classic novels such as “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen or “Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Brontë. These novels impacted the romance genre by introducing female main characters who express their own individuality and their own desires, finally being rewarded with successful marriages, according to a February 2019 article from New York Public Library (NYPL).
Book after book, I discovered a whole new world of peace and comfort I never knew existed, craving to read as many romances as possible.”
- LINNEA SUNDQUIST, Associate News Editor
hearing
According to an October 2025 article from the National Education Association, regarding students’ reading in school, it claims that books with diverse characters “validate and academically engage” students, allowing them to see themselves and their life experiences reflected in the pages of the books they read.
Romantic novels provide so much knowledge while also providing interesting and fun stories to captivate the reader. Stories about two people falling in love and living happily ever after will never fail to pique my interest and leave me wanting more.
Societal stigma towards the
not say the romance genre is a step-by-step guide to the understand about humans think and feel, according to a July 2024 article
I have always found it rather interesting hearing the amount of criticism romance novels receive, when I have learned so much from them myself. While I would not say the romance genre is a step-by-step guide to the world of dating, I would say it has taught me how to communicate and express my emotions more effectively, and has improved my self-esteem and self-confidence. While romances have enhanced many personal aspects of myself, they have also been known to enable readers to understand the deeper meanings of relationships, comprehend different situations or learn more about how humans think and feel, according to a July 2024 article from Medium.
Reading stories, regardless of whether they are true or not, has allowed me to learn new things and see new perspectives on different people. I have learned more about different cultures and ethnicities, various social issues and diverse lifestyles just by opening a
Reading is subjective to the reader, just as music or movies are. No one should feel ashamed or embarrassed to enjoy or feel passionate about certain types of reading material. Romances are just as integral to the literary space and will always hold a special place in my heart, as for many others.
The hateful discourse that romance novels receive is unnecessary, and I hope that, as time goes on, more and more people will see the importance of them like I do. Reading is important, no matter what you read. Whether you engage with classic novels or read the fluffiest romances, it is still reading, regardless of the content.
Contact Linnea Sundquist via email at linnea. sundquist@bsu.edu
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While the theaters are for audiences and performers, the center will also include some less public facilities, although equally important. Bolender mentioned how these facilities will include: a scene shop in which students can build sets, a lighting and sound shop for production students and a costume shop that can house up to 2,000 square feet of costumes and materials.
Overall, Bolender expressed his joy for the upcoming Performing Arts Center and his gratitude for the people who helped bring it about.
“President [Georffey] Mearns has been a champion for us from the beginning,” Bolender said.
We are on schedule, progressing to enclose the building to complete its core and shell [and] installing underground utilities outside the building.”
- ROBERT RAMEY III, Director of Construction
He described how President Mearns makes sure to prioritize the arts at Ball State. Bolender also communicated how much he appreciates those above him who helped to make this dream a reality. The President and the Dean of the College of Fine Arts, Seth Beckman, have worked tirelessly for this to happen.
“For several years, [we have worked] with the goal of bringing new opportunities of technology, material, and growing room for fine arts students and faculty,” Beckman said.
Second-year musical theater student Michael Washington is pleased about the addition of a fine arts space on campus.
“I am happy and hopeful for the opportunities that come with the new facility,” he said.
Washington looks forward to the opening show, which he has the benefit of performing in.
On one of the brand-new stages, Washington and others will perform a three-part dance show honoring the infamous choreographer Bob Fosse. Washington acknowledged that it’s a lot of work, but he is eager for the performance. Furthermore, Washington emphasized his enthusiasm for the additional practice rooms.
“Most practice rooms are currently designated for School of Music students,” Washington said. Due to this, he is thrilled for all the new stages to perform on and the opportunities the new venue will bring.
Additionally, the students are not the only ones looking forward to the new performance center; members of the local Muncie community are also thankful for the work Ball State is doing.
Delaware County Councilman Matt Kantz described that, in his opinion, the project is “extremely overdue” as it has “taken the backseat” for too long. When the center opens, Kantz believes that this place will “bring [Ball State and Muncie] closer together.”
As opinions and hopes about the Performing Arts Center flourish, the building’s construction is also progressing. In an interview via email, Director of Construction Robert Ramey III says the team is advancing steadily.
“We are on schedule, progressing to enclose the building to complete its core and shell [and] installing underground utilities outside the building,” he said.
When asked about the comparison of this project to others, Ramey elaborated on how the undertaking is different than anything he has done.
“Every construction project has its own unique challenges, opportunities and successes,” he said.
Ramey also stated that he and his team take great joy in having the opportunity to “manifest [the] campus masterplan and vision in a physical way.”
Overall, Ramey appears optimistic and confident in the construction, his team and their progress.
Contact Bentley Ford via email at bentleykford12@gmail.com.
“Can’t argue with that”
Ian of “The Hobbit”
Lyft rival 48 Member-owned
50 1990s fitness fad 51 Trapped on a branch, as a cat
52 Minor scuffle 53 Make a cake, say
Within
Unwelcome sounds for a balloon artist 56 Work with haste
Affirmative vote
