lystn

As I walked up the steps of the pale yellow brick building in the still of the morning chill, there was something more dramatic happening. Less than 24 hours prior, President Geoffry Mearns had declared that the university was suspending all in-person classes and would move to remote learning not for two weeks, but for the duration of the spring semester. Today, the coronavirus has not only affected the 22 thousand plus students at Ball State University, but millions of college students have moved back home and spring break plans have been cancelled. The world of education has changed as we know it. Leaders of universities sometimes must make bold decisions. President Mearns is not afraid to do just that. Growing up as the middle of nine children, Geoffrey had to learn to trust those around him, seek transformative experiences, and ultimately change the trajectory of his life. The same can be said for his leadership at Ball State, where he has helped the institution take flight!