Neil Ruhland
The freshman class of Ingelhart News Scholars had the opportunity to meet the sophomore class, as well as faculty and staff of the Department of Journalism at a reception in their honor on Sept. 10.
The reception included comments from department Chairperson Marilyn Weaver, CCIM Dean Roger Lavery, CCIM Associate Dean Lori Byers and News Scholars program coordinator Brian Hayes.
"One of the primary goals of the event was to help acquaint the new class to the department, professors and the different student media available on campus," Hayes said.
The News Scholars program was created in memory of Louis Ingelhart, former department chair and professor of journalism at Ball State. The program offers students small classes, mentoring from professionals, outings to news organizations and interdisciplinary curriculum and immersive learning projects. There are 11 News Scholars in the sophomore class and 16 in this year's freshman class.
This is the second year a reception has been held for the News Scholars.
"We have a lot of great things planned for the News Scholars this school year," Hayes said. "The next major event will be in October when the group has the chance to witness, report and interact with justices of the Indiana State Court of Appeals."
News-editorial sequence coordinator, Mary Spillman and the associate chair of the telecommunications department, Mike Spillman worked to bring the Indiana State Court of Appeals to campus for the October event.
The court will hold its proceedings in Pruis Hall where students can witness what happens during their sessions, without having to go to Indianapolis where the court sits.
"While they are on campus the News Scholars will have lunch with them and talk about the different issues affiliated with the First Amendment," Spillman said.
The other focus of the News Scholars program this year will be pairing each scholar with his or her own mentor. "The majority of the mentors we have recruited so far are Ball State alumni," News Scholars graduate assistant Joe Lanane said.