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WEDNESDAY | JAN. 25, 2017

The Daily News Geoffrey S. Mearns BALL STATE'S 17TH PRESIDENT

The Board of Trustees announced Geoffrey S. Mearns as the next president of Ball State Tuesday in Sursa Performance Hall. Mearns contract has his official start date on Aug. 1.

OUR VIEW

AT ISSUE: With a new president, Ball State must become transparent

Mearns discusses plans with university during first public speech as president

Faculty members look forward to Mearns' time as presidency

Alan Hovorka, Allie Kirkman, Casey Smith & Kara Berg

Mary Freda Daily News Reporter

Daily News Reporters

Questions about transparency, a future game plan and community engagement were all posed to Geoffrey S. Mearns Tuesday when the Board of Trustees announced him as the university’s 17th president.

Even though Mearns’ contract doesn’t go into effect until Aug. 1, staff and faculty members have high hopes for what he, and his presidency, will bring to campus.

“I think he’s going to be very collaborative,” said Marilyn Buck, associate provost and dean of University College. “I expect him to be able to help lead us. He’s worked on a strategic plan at Northern Kentucky University and we’ll be able to move that forward now as well.”

During his first press conference at the university, Mearns revealed that within his first 100 days as president, he plans on familiarizing himself with the campus.

B

Geoffrey S. Mearns was named Ball State’s 17th president Tuesday, and with that responsibility comes a need for a change from the administration.

The university has been without a permanent president for almost a year, and during that time transparency has remained a major issue among members of the Ball State community.

This is something that Mearns referred to during his speech in Sursa Performance Hall when he referenced the Beneficence Pledge, saying that the university needed “honesty and integrity in order to earn and maintain trust and respect.”

He is aware of the lack of transparency, which stemmed from former President Paul W. Ferguson’s unexpected resignation last year, which created a lack of trust from members of the university and allegations of a scandal.

Breanna Daugherty // DN

all State’s 17th president, Geoffrey S. Mearns, was appointed on Tuesday afternoon. Although his tenure has not officially begun, he already has plans in mind.

“I need to learn; I need to learn much more about your university and I need to learn more about you,” said Mearns, who is the sitting president at Northern Kentucky University.

See OUR VIEW, page 2

See MEARNS, page 3

See FACULTY, page 3

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Opinion

Page 2 // Jan. 25, 2017 @bsudailynews

OUR VIEW Continued from page 1

While trustee Rick Hall confirmed that there was no scandal, students wanted more.

Now, one year after that incident, we still only know that Ferguson and the Board of Trustees disagreed on policies.

Not too long after Ferguson’s resignation, two members of the Board of Trustees, Marianne Glick and Frank Hancock, also submitted their resignation after each spent almost 10 years on the board.

Since then, there have been a few examples of the university attempting to mend that relationship with the students and faculty, but there have also been growing concerns about the administration’s lack of overall transparency.

In September, there was a report of a man with a gun on campus and students were given little information of what was going on and if there was a threat to students and faculty.

The lack of communication was apparent during the incident and while no one was harmed that night, it took nearly two months for the university to release a comprehensive statement.

This serious communication issue cannot stand.

Every time our administration conceals university business, the trust among the community decreases.

Our job as journalists is to tell members of the Ball State and Muncie community what is happening on campus, and it becomes very hard at times when there is little to no transparency from our administration.

But even with Interim President Terry King at the helm for 364 days, the university and its administration has done a good job of continuing to move forward with several campus-wide initiatives.

Lower tuition, the third largest student body in 20 years, campus master plan, entrepreneurial learning, Academic Excellence Grants and programs like Lunch with a Cop are just a few examples of initiatives that have helped mend trust and continued to move Ball State forward.

Infrastructure updates on campus also remain frequent and on time. The creation of buildings like the Robert G. Hunt Center, Johnson East/ West complexes, renovations to John R. Emens Auditorium and the initiative for a new health professions building are just a few of the biggest changes the university has seen in the past few years.

With so much good happening on campus, it doesn’t make sense why communication and media access has to be so difficult.

This school year, the students also continue to push Ball State forward. The Student Government Association led Indiana’s universities in the fight against sexual assault, diversity and inclusivity continue to progress on campus and students have taken opportunities to increase relationships with the University Police Department.

Mearns made it clear that he understands where Ball State stands on campus and within the community. We hope that he will continue to push the university in a positive direction, but we also hope he is prepared to rectify an issue that has plagued the university for quite some time.

Mearns understands how the students, faculty and staff feel, which he made apparent during his welcoming speech.

“During the search process, it became clear to me, very clear to me, that all of you are proud, indeed, very proud of this university,” he said.

We are proud. Ball State has proud students, toptier programs and dedicated faculty. We are ready to continue the university’s legacy and move forward transparent community.

We are eager for a president who is ready to move forward as well and it seems that Mearns is too.

“I pledge to all of you that I will embrace all of these values, your values, as the 17th president of Ball State University. Thank you very much for this honor, thank you very much,” Mearns said as he concluded his first public speech as the new president of Ball State.

MIKEY HIGGINS is a junior animation major and creates “Ball State of Mind” for the Daily News.

His views do not necessarily agree with those of the newspaper. Write to Mikey at mthigginsii@bsu.edu.

4-DAY Crossword FORECAST

EDITED BY RICH NORRIS AND JOYCE LEWIS

Ethan Rosuck Weather Forecaster

Wednesday

MOSTLY CLOUDY, CHANCE OF RAIN Hi: 54 Lo: 36 Thursday

RAIN/SNOW MIX, WINDY Hi: 35 Lo: 28 Friday

CLOUDY Hi: 28 Lo: 22 Saturday

MOSTLY CLOUDY Hi: 30 Lo: 24 Sunday

CLOUDY Hi: 29 Lo: 20

VOL. 96 ISSUE: 48 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Breanna Daugherty

ACROSS 1 Put a spell on 4 Organizes from best to worst, say 9 Arizona landforms 14 Wrath 15 Longtime “At the Movies” co-host 16 One bit 17 Shake up 18 *”C’mon, loosen up!”

20 Do penance 22 Certain string musician’s need 23 *Place for lefts and rights 26 “Star Wars” extras 27 Word of passione 28 Cheek 31 “Alas!”

34 Elementary bit 37 Water nymph 40 *Compromise 43 Orchard trees 44 “Ready are you? What know you of ready?” speaker 45 Low in fat 46 Supermodel Banks 48 Gross 50 PD alert 52 *Market measure 58 French president

Hollande 61 Sees red 62 *General principle 65 Bygone muscle car 66 Holiday visitor 67 “Science of Logic” author Georg 68 Shy person’s note?

69 Branch quarters 70 Philadelphia pro 71 “Major Crimes” network DOWN 1 Muslim veil 2 Sister of Calliope 3 Maker of ColorQube printers 4 One-named singer portrayed by Jennifer Lopez in a 1997 film 5 Japanese sash 6 Gun, as a V8 7 Roman fountain 8 Spot 9 Pony Express concern 10 Vocalist James 11 Plopped down next to 12 Apportion 13 Boatloads 19 Stack under a tarp 21 “Close, but no cigar” 24 Family nickname 25 Threadbare

Sudoku

29 Boy in “Star Wars” prequel films 30 “I wish I could” 31 Bit of band gear 32 Small snicker 33 Sub filler 35 “So THAT’s what’s going on here!”

36 First responder 38 It borders the Fla. panhandle 39 Hideout 41 Medit. country 42 Big name in big rigs 47 Dating from 49 Cat dish tidbit 50 Nasal spray brand 51 Danish fruit 53 Parishioner’s pledge 54 Milo of “Barbarella” 55 “Pay attention, man!” ... and, in a different way, what the end of each answer to a starred clue refers to 56 John of The Red Piano Tour 57 Strikes through 59 “Far out!”

60 Stockholder’s assets?

63 Trendy boot brand 64 Blanc heard but not seen

BY MICHAEL MEPHAM

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News

Page 3 // Jan. 25, 2017 @bsudailynews

Breanna Daugherty // DN

Geoffrey S. Mearns stands with Chair Rick Hall after Mearns was announced the next president of Ball State Tuesday in Sursa Performance Hall. Mearns, who is currently the president of Northern Kentucky University, was announced as the 17th president of Ball State.

MEARNS

Continued from page 1 “So when we meet … I will ask you two simple questions: What do you think I need to know about your university and this community? And secondly, what do I need to know about you?”

The university introduced Mearns during a special Board of Trustees meeting in Sursa Performance Hall, where the board unanimously approved his hiring. Matt Momper, trustee and search committee chairman, introduced Mearns to a packed Sursa, which seats about 600 people.

Mearns’ contract is set to expire at Northern Kentucky July 31. University spokesperson Joan Todd confirmed that Mearns will earn a starting salary of $450,000 per year as president at Ball State, which is the same amount former President Paul W. Ferguson received when he was hired.

Mearns was named president almost a year to the day Ferguson announced his resignation.

In his first speech to the university, Mearns said getting to know the university community is one of his primary goals, a sentiment that echoes Ferguson’s own efforts to visit each department on campus and hear their hopes and complaints. Before he can lead, he must learn, Mearns said.

Mearns also spoke at length about Ball State’s legacy, continually dropping references to its 100th birthday next year. One of his first actions as president will be to draw up a new strategic plan that will succeed the Centennial Commitment the Ferguson administration put together.

HIS BACKGROUND In addition to serving as president at NKU for more than four years, Mearns was provost at Cleveland State University. He led successful reaccreditation efforts and a campaign to improve undergraduate retention and graduation rates at Cleveland State, according to a news release from Ball State.

FACULTY

Continued from page 1 He also intends to begin working on the strategic plan — something Loren Malm, interim vice president of information technology sees as an advantage for the university.

“He talked about the strategic plan and starting that early in his presidency,” Malm said,” I think that’s going to be a tremendous benefit for the institution to get started on the next iteration of our strategic plan, so I’m looking forward to that.”

The Board of Trustees has been looking for someone to replace Paul Ferguson since March 14, 2016, when the board began holding public forums.

Now that Mearns has been appointed, Kay Bales, vice president for student affairs and enrollment services, said she looks forward to Mearns’ vision.

“I’m very excited for the vision and the leadership that I think the president will be bringing to our campus,” Bales said. “I think in the comments that he made today, we can all look forward to a president that wants to move the institution forward and I think is very eager and looks forward to working with students.”

Mearns not only has hopes to start the strategic plan as soon as possible,

From the start of the search, the university’s new president stood out, Momper said.

“Geoff’s focus on student-first is essential to our success and is a shared value with all at Ball State,” Momper said. “For us, Geoff Mearns is the full package.”

Momper told the Daily News that “hundreds and hundreds” of candidates across the country applied for the position. He declined to say an official number, however.

Rick Hall, chair of the Ball State Board of Trustees, said the decision to hire Mearns came from the “tremendous input from the Ball State community.”

Mearns graduated with an English degree from Yale University and obtained a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Virginia, which named him to the law school’s Order of Coif, an honor society for students of exemplary academic achievement.

Before working in higher education, Mearns spent 17 years as an attorney, where in one instance he served as special attorney to the U.S. attorney general in the prosecution of Terry Nichols, an accomplice of the Oklahoma City bombing. “[Mearns] is very articulate, passionate and his values come first,” Momper said. “He starts, he finishes. He had the tools and skill set and he was diverse.”

As a current sitting president, Mearns will have less of a learning curve when he takes over. Just as in the past, the university will hire a transition consultant and put together a team to make sure he has a clean move to Ball State.

“It’s an honor to be transitioning from one exceptional university to another,” Mearns said in a press release. “Ball State, like Northern Kentucky University, has a well-deserved reputation for its commitment to academic excellence and student success.”

NORTHERN KENTUCKY Mearns will come to Ball State straight off a five-year run at Northern Kentucky University.

There, he advocated for additional

he hopes to make campus a more inclusive environment.

“He’ll, as he said, reach out to the university and to everyone, students, faculty, staff, everyone and helping to get to know everybody and learning,” Buck said. “Making this institution his as well as he talked about it being ours.”

Though it is too early to really set expectation for Mearns, University Police Department Chief James Duckham said he hopes the new president will continue to fit in with UPD’s goals for campus.

“Just to keep building on the positives of the student-centered stuff that we’ve done and continue to just build relationships, increase the diversity, all those type of things,” Duckham said, “I think that’s great.”

Not only does Mearns plan on making campus more inclusive, he hopes to foster relationships with community members.

“From a community perspective, I think that we are just hoping for a really community engagement, right?” said Scott Smalstig, vice president of fund development for Meridian Health.

“We’re very lucky to have Ball State University in this community and so the more connected Ball State is to this community, the better off everyone is.”

Contact Mary Freda with any questions or concerns at mafreda@bsu.edu.

state support for the university, resulting in an additional $5.1 million, according to the Ball State news release. He also secured the largest single capital investment in the university’s history, a $97 million appropriation for a health innovation center.

His big focus, however, was student success and campus inclusivity.

Incoming freshmen GPAs and test scores increased, as did the number of underrepresented minority students.

Mearns declined a pay raise and $25,000 bonus the university Board of Regents offered to him because faculty and staff weren’t given performance raises that year, according to the Cincinnati Business Journal. Instead, the bonus was donated to support a scholarship fund for first-generation college students.

This was the second year Mearns declined a pay raise and bonus.

But his time at NKU wasn’t all positive.

In 2015, a faculty survey the Cincinnati Enquirer obtained gave Mearns mid to low ratings for his work.

One commenter wrote that he was “arrogant” and had a “negative, even hostile, relationship with the faculty,” according to the Enquirer.

At the time, Mearns said he was concerned with the low morale. NKU Faculty Senate President Steven Weiss said, however, that “administrators are never evaluated well.”

Mearns told the Daily News that both he and Weiss did not think the survey was a good tool to measure satisfaction.

“I feel comfortable that I had a pretty good relationship with the faculty at both Cleveland State and at NKU,” Mearns said. “Not everyone will agree with the decisions I make, but I’ll always do my best to explain the rationale for those decisions.”

LOOKING FORWARD Mearns’ employment with Ball State will begin no later than Aug. 1.

He’ll be supported by a transition committee, and plans are already in progress for his first 100 days in office.

Mearns said Ball State faces similar

challenges that other public higher education institutions are facing.

There are increasing expectations from students to provide quality education at the most affordable price. There are also expectations from faculty, alumni and other public officials.

“I think there are challenges, but I see those challenges as a great opportunity, because if we do it well, we garner additional support, more enrollment, more alumni donations and more support from our elected officials,” he said. “So yes, it’s challenging, but it’s a great opportunity, and I think Ball State is positioned well to seize that opportunity.”

Although the weight of many university decisions fall on the shoulders of the Board of Trustees, Mearns said he’s looking forward to being a “collaborative partner with everybody on the university campus.”

“That’s in some ways one of the great challenges for the university president — that there are so many constituents that you’re responsible for,” Mearns said. “But it’s also one of the most gratifying because when it works — and I have had a good fortunate to see it work in a couple institutions — it’s incredibly gratifying when you bring people together with different perspectives and they’re all working towards the same purpose.

“As part of my learning effort, I want to assess together what process we’ve made on plans that I’m integrating.

That’s my expectation for the university community and I hope that’s the expectation for all the university community for me.”

Mearns said he will not, however, make decisions about what will continue or what might adjust until he hears from the various voices on campus about what’s viable and valuable.

“It’s a privilege and an honor to have the opportunity to partner with everyone here to find and foster additional ways to grow this world-class university,” Mearns said.

Contact Alan Hovorka, Allie Kirkman, Casey Smith & Kara Berg with any questions or concerns at news@bsudailynews.com.

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News

Page 4 // Jan. 25, 2017 @bsudailynews

8 THINGS THAT HAPPENED AFTER FERGUSON RESIGNED

Frank Hancock and Marianne Glick.

Their subsequent hires, Michael D. McDaniel and Jean Ann Harcourt, followed as replacements. Trustee Hollis E. Hughes Jr. announced his retirement in December, and Brian A. Gallagher was appointed by former Gov. Mike Pence in January.

Since last January, Ball State has seen new grants, hires Sara Barker Administration Reporter

From new trustees to a controversial grant, here are eight important events that occurred between former Paul W. Ferguson’s resignation and the announcement of new president Geoffrey Mearns.

FERGUSON GETS A NEW JOB

Ferguson was hired in June at Biola University, a private Christian school in California, to serve as the founding dean of its School of Science, Technology and Health.

NEW HEALTH PROFESSIONS BUILDING

NEW JOHN A. SCHNATTER INSTITUTE FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND FREE ENTERPRISE

The health professions building, confirmed Dec. 16 by the Board of Trustees, will house the new College of Health. It will be built at the southeast corner of Riverside Avenue and Martin Street along the upcoming East Mall.

ROBERT MORRIS DIES

The late provost Morris died unexpectedly Nov. 28 after being hospitalized for blood poisoning. He acted as the chief academic officer and was the vice president of academic affairs.

ACCIDENTAL EMAIL VIOLATES FERPA LAWS

are on academic probation, violating FERPA privacy laws.

FOUR CHILD PORN ARRESTS

Students with a GPA below 2.0 were supposed to receive an email informing them of their academic status. Instead, some received a spreadsheet on Jan. 10 with the names of 59 students who

Jan. 25, 2016 An email from the Board of Trustees announces Paul Ferguson’s resignation

January ('16)

Samantha Brammer/ DN File

In a period of six months, police caught and arrested four men for having child porn on campus.

The four caught were Brian Siebenaler, a math instructor, Randal Ray Schmidt,

March

April

May

March 25, 2016 Ferguson’s sabbatical, and time as president, ends

SCHNATTER-KOCH GRANT

a maintenance supervisor, Robert Yadon, a professor of Information and Communication Studies, and Brian Koby, the former fencing club coach.

According to the grant agreement, $2.17 million of the grant was donated

by Schnatter and $1.08 million was from the Charles Koch Foundation, which raised concerns about potential outside political influence.

With the resignation of Ferguson came the resignation of two trustees,

Contact Sara Barker with any questions or concerns at slbarker3@bsu.edu.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES RESIGNATIONS AND HIRES

April 21, 2016 Presidential search committee meets for the first time

February

Chief entrepreneurial officer Michael Goldsby spoke on March 30 about the John A. Schnatter Institute for Entrepreneurship and Free Enterprise, made possible by a joint grant from Schnatter and the Charles Koch Foundation.

October 2016 Applications for the president position are due

June

July

August

September

October

November

Jan. 23, 2017 An email from the Board of Trustees says the new president will be announced Jan. 24 at 1:30 p.m.

December

January (17')

Dec. 1, 2016 Committee announces they have finished interviews and will present to board to interview.

June 24, 2016 Ferguson is hired by Biola University in California

MEET THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES Sara Barker Administration Reporter

CHAIR: RICK HALL

Contact Sara Barker with any questions or concerns at slbarker3@bsu.edu.

VICE CHAIR: E. RENAE CONLEY

SECRETARY: THOMAS C. BRACKEN

ASSISTANT SECRETARY: MATT MOMPER

STUDENT MEMBER: DUSTIN MEEKS

Joined the board: 2014

Joined the board: 2012

Joined the board: 2008

Joined the board: 2015

Background: Has served as a member and vice chair. Currently is the CEO of ER Solutions, LLC, a consulting firm. Previously was chief executive officer and executive vice president of human resources for Entergy Corporation; was the president and CEO of Entergy Louisiana and Entergy Gulf States Louisiana.

Background: Has served as a member and secretary.

Currently serves as the president of the George and Frances Ball Foundation in downtown Muncie. Has been a software engineer for Intuit Corporation’s Quickbooks.

Background: Has been a member and assistant secretary. Currently serves as president of Momper Insulation in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Past employment includes time as the regional manager for Installed Building Products and president of MK properties.

Background: Currently serves as an Archon on the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity National Executive Council.

MEMBER: JEAN ANN HARCOURT

MEMBER: R. WAYNE ESTOPINAL

MEMBER: HOLLIS E. HUGHES JR.

MEMBER: BRIAN A. GALLAGHER

Joined the board: 2016

Joined the board: 2011

Joined the board: 1989

Joined the board: 2017

Background: Currently serves as the president and CEO of Harcourt Industries, Inc. Previously served as vice chair of the Indiana Republican Party from 2003 to 2004.

Background: Currently serves as president of architectural firm The Estopinal Group and owns the Orlando City Soccer Club and Louisville City Soccer Club.

Background: Previously served as president and CEO of the United Way of St. Joseph County and as the director of South Bend’s Model Cities Program.

From Milroy, Indiana

From Jeffersonville, Indiana

Background: Currently serves as president and chief executive officer of United Way Worldwide. Previously served as a member of President Barack Obama’s Advisory Council on FaithBased and Neighborhood Partnerships.

Joined the board: 2007 Background: Has served as member, secretary, assistant secretary and chair. Served as a law clerk to Judge Michael Kanne of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit. Part of Barnes & Thornburg LLP, law firm.

From Carmel, Indiana

From Muncie, Indiana

From Fort Wayne, Indiana

From South Bend, Indiana

From Chevy Chase, Maryland

From Fishers, Indiana

News

Page 5 // Jan. 25, 2017 @bsudailynews

Student reactions to president “My only expectation is that professors need to be paid more.

Currently, Ball State is the lowestpaying college in the lowest-paying state in the United States; or, you know, it’s near the bottom of the list.”

“I hope they bring the university back together because I know there were questions about what had gone down. I hope they bring a new light to everything and it’s positive. As long as the positivity is there, I think we can grow.”

SOREN POWELL, FRESHMAN HISTORY AND POLITICAL SCIENCE MAJOR

KATELYN BASTIAN, SENIOR SPEECH PATH MAJOR

“The expectations I have, obviously, are to maintain campus diversity, but also kind of keep the students in mind. Whether it’s sports, education or organizations. Just kind of making sure that all the students feel comfortable, but also make sure that as a campus we’re expanding.”

“Honestly, I don’t expect much from [him] other than just to make sure that this university is still something to be proud of. I’d like to see some money redirected towards the university and more educational needs, as well as personal needs for all students, not just athletes.”

“[I would] probably [want to see] a fix in the meal plan, so it’s more flexible for students. Also, maybe more involvement in sports and more updates in what’s going on around campus because there’s always something going on around Emens and students don’t really know about it.”

BENNIE MCCOY, SENIOR MARKETING MAJOR

NATHAN JOHNSON, SOPHOMORE SECONDARY ENGLISH EDUCATION MAJOR

CARISA BURGOS, SOPHOMORE ACTUARIAL SCIENCE MAJOR

“I think he will do a lot for Ball State.

I’m excited to see what he does as far as diversity here. I think it’s important to be involved with the students here in the community, considering I’m a minority. I hope he is community engaged.”

“I think he is going to be a great leader.

He did some good things in Kentucky and I think that he will be able to make some good impacts here in Muncie.

I want to see him implement the new sorority village as well as the new health building. I think Ball State is ready for some changes.”

“Ball State has been working to be more inclusive and to be more diversity focused, so I would hope that our new president ... would be willing to further those commitments, as well.”

Staff Reports

The Ball State Board of Trustees named Geoffrey S. Mearns as the 17th university president Tuesday.

With the new president’s employment set to begin in early August, the Daily News talked to students about the expectations they have and the changes they hope to see in the future.

KENNEDY MOSLEY, FRESHMAN JOURNALISM MAJOR

GABRIELLE LLOYD, JUNIOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS MAJOR

BRYCE SMITH, JUNIOR PROFESSIONAL SALES MAJOR

Student Government Association eager to work with new university president James Wells says Mearns was best choice for position Max Lewis SGA Reporter

BALL S T

AT

Along with the Ball State students and staff, the Student Government Association is preparing to work closely with President Geoffrey S. Mearns.

SGA represents the student body and works directly with the president and university administration to pass legislation in order to make changes to the university.

James Wells, SGA president, worked as a member of the presidential search committee and called the opportunity a “honor” and “privilege.”

Though Wells only met with Mearns once during an interview, he said he was “highly impressed” with the new president.

“He is quite student centered ... that was one of the first things [noticed] in the interview,” Wells said. “He was focused on the students and putting us first. I’m sure the student body here will enjoy and come to admire Dr. Geoff Mearns.”

Emily Halley, SGA treasurer, said she is

E

UN

IVERSITY

looking forward to getting to know and work with Mearns.

“I’m excited to get to know our new president,” Halley said. “I have full trust in our selection committee and that they selected the best candidate.”

Hunter Schubert, SGA chair of the offcampus caucus, said he hopes Mearns will visit SGA and will work with them in their future initiatives while keeping an open dialogue.

“I am hopeful that he will continue the tradition of an inclusive, active campus,” Schubert said.

Mearns will not assume power until August, and by that time Wells will be graduated and a new SGA president and executive board will be in place.

Wells said SGA plans on gathering progress of what they have done to help the next board work with Mearns and his administration.

Wells wants to ensure that the new board will be able to “represent the voice” and make sure that the university president is aware of SGA’s duties and responsibilities.

Contact Max Lewis with any questions or concerns at lmaxwell2@bsu.edu.

Breanna Daugherty // DN

President Geoffrey S. Mearns talks to Student Government Association President James Wells and Bryce Smith, a junior professionals sales major, after the presidential reveal Tuesday in Sursa Performance Hall.

The Daily News

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Photos

17th president announced

Breanna Daugherty // DN

Geoffrey S. Mearns answers questions from the media before greeting students, faculty and members of the Muncie community Tuesday in Sursa Performance Hall. Mearns will officially start Aug. 1.

Breanna Daugherty // DN

The Board of Trustees named the current president of Northern Kentucky University, Geoffrey S. Mearns, the 17th president of Ball State Tuesday in Sursa Performance Hall. Mearns will be the president at Northern Kentucky University until July 31.

Breanna Daugherty // DN

Ball State’s next president, Geoffrey S. Mearns, greets Wayne and Dolores Zage in the lobby of Sursa Performance Hall Tuesday. Wayne and Dolores are both computer science professors at Ball State.

Breanna Daugherty // DN

Geoffrey S. Mearns addresses the crowd for the first time after being named the 17th president of Ball State Tuesday in Sursa Performance Hall. Sursa was filled to capacity for the announcement.

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