Ball State University - Miller Honors/Scholars

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The Miller Honors Program (including Miller Scholars) gives students a unique head-start in their business education. The programs provide a specialized curriculum, peer support group, and supplemental learning outside the classroom with specially designed social and professional development activities.

Meet the sophomore students in the Miller Honors and Miller Scholars programs:

T.J. Carpenter

Hometown: Bourbon, Indiana Major: Accounting

Campus Activities: Golf Team

Impressions of Ball State/Miller College/The Honors Program: I was surprised by how much we grew as a group over the course of a year. Looking back on how timid we were at first, compared to now, is amazing. The relationships we built with some of the faculty in the Miller College are the best among any I've had here at Ball State so far. I'm excited for the opportunities I have with them as I venture into my major courses the next three years. The Honors Program has been a great boost for me in my first year of college, and I'm glad I chose that path.

Jeff Cline - Miller Scholar

Hometown: Fort Wayne, Indiana Major: Undecided (business)

Campus Activities: Reviving the Ball State American Marketing Association Chapter

Study Abroad: London/Paris

Impressions of Ball State/Miller College/The Honors Program: Fun and interesting, full of challenges and opportunities

Reasons to Apply: Caring professors who expand your thoughts and horizons, a network of honors students who are always around when you need them, and welcoming faculty and staff in the Miller College and all around Ball State.

Katie Cohen

Hometown: Chelsea, Michigan Major: Human resources

Campus Activities: K'nect Hall council (environmental representative), Sigma Kappa (philanthropy chair)

Impressions of Ball State/Miller College/The Honors Program: At first, I thought that this program was going to be really hard because I didn't really know why I made it into the program, but as I became more confident in myself, I saw it as a great opportunity to be involved in something that has never been accomplished at Ball State before. When I was really stressed out, I questioned why I was involved in Miller College's honors program, but the more I think about it, the more I realize that the friendships and the relationships I have gained through this program even in the short year that I have been involved in it has been more beneficial than any stress that was caused by the program. I have found my most effective way of studying has been in groups, I learned how to study and how to accomplish great things because more than one mind working together can accomplish great things. That is why the honors program will be successful because it allows great minds to work together creating an even better masterpiece that one alone could never dream of creating.

Reasons to Apply: The program helps you gain confidence if you do not already have it. This program also lets you feed off of other people's minds, and when you can pick someone's brain apart, you a bound to learn great things. Your professors actually learn your name and are very helpful (this is very important even if you don't think so). Having a professor who actually cares about you and will guide you in the right direction is key to success in college. Getting to know your professors is a privilege; many people at larger colleges do not even know their own professor’s name, let alone have their professor know theirs.

Andrew Edwards

Hometown: Albion, Indiana Major: Information systems Minor: Undecided

Impressions of Ball State/Miller College/The Honors Program: Excellent program, great opportunities, beneficial to be in classes with everyone else in the program. I would recommend to anyone who wants to be in business. Ball State is a lot of fun, great chance to meet new people. Campus is not too large to be a hassle but big enough to have everything you need.

Lesley Ferkinhoff

Hometown: Richmond, Indiana Major: Accounting Minor: French, economics

Study Abroad: France/U.K. Field Study (real-world application of my French minor)

Campus Activities: Campus Crusade, RunClub, Accounting Club

Impressions of Ball State/Miller College/The Honors Program: I am very thankful for the Miller Honors Program because it gave me a chance to get connected to other students with similar interests as mine. Having two classes with these same people was helpful because it was easy to find help if I didn't understand something, and it was easier to get together to study and work on projects since we were familiar with everyone in the two classes.

Hilary Fichter - Miller Scholar

Hometown: Massillon, Ohio Major: Accounting Minor: Finance

Campus Activities: Accounting Club, working at the Center for Business and Economic Research

Study Abroad: Next available field study to France/U.K.

Impressions of Ball State/Miller College/The Honors Program: I would recommend Ball State to anyone who is planning to attend college. I have had such a great experience here. The professors have been really helpful, and there is always something to do. There are enough students attending Ball State to give you the full college experience, but not so many that you feel overwhelmed. The Miller College of Business has been especially helpful during my first year of college. The honors program was a great way to really get to know my professors and to experience small, personalized classes. It was also helpful to have classes with people you know so you can learn things together.

Kelley Hux - Miller Scholar

Hometown: Springboro, Ohio Major: International business

Campus Activities: Rhythms Dance Troupe, Today’s Black Women, Black Student Association

Study Abroad: Chile/Argentina, May 2009

Impressions of Ball State/Miller College/The Honors Program: I chose Ball State because the campus is beautiful, and I felt right being on this campus, more than any other campus I have been to. I also chose the Miller College of Business because the faculty seemed very interested in what I was doing and how I could perform to the best of my abilities.

Joe Macri - Miller Scholar

Hometown: Clayton, Indiana Major: Marketing Minor: Economics, information systems

Campus Activities: American Marketing Association, Pi Sigma Epsilon

Off-Campus/Community Activities: Volunteer at the City of Muncie Animal Shelter
Study Abroad Plans: Business field study in Germany during summer 2009

Impressions of Ball State/Miller College/The Honors Program: I think Ball State is a first-rate institution, and I am very happy that I chose to come here. The Miller College of Business provides its students with a high-quality business education. The business professors are excellent, and they genuinely care about their students. The honors program is an extremely beneficial group to be involved with. The classes are small and with familiar people. Also, the honors professors are very engaging and full of knowledge, and the professional development/networking opportunities are quite beneficial.

Reasons to Apply: I would recommend Ball State, the Miller College, and the honors program to anyone that might be interested. I couldn’t be happier here.

Ryan McDaniel

Hometown: Bedford, Indiana Major: Marketing Minor: Undecided

Campus Activities: Miller College Student Advisory Board, Delta Sigma Pi professional business fraternity

Reasons to Apply: I would highly recommend the Miller College Honors Program to any individual desiring to excel in business at Ball State University. There are many distinguished benefits including individual advising, professional events, small classes, and knowledgeable professors who care about your learning experience, that I feel I am lucky to have.

Madison Moseman - Miller Scholar

Hometown: Columbus, Indiana Major: Finance, accounting

Campus Activities: Hall council, Delta Sigma Pi business fraternity

Study Abroad: London internship, summer 2010

Impressions of Ball State/Miller College/The Honors Program: Miller College Honors Program is a great aid to your academic and professional career. Professors go out of their way to help students in whatever they need. Throughout the year, I realized how much this program is going to help me succeed through networking and professional development. It also provides a wonderful support base, including friends and faculty.

Nick Pollastrini

Hometown: Naperville, Illinois Major: Accounting, finance

Campus Activities: Delta Sigma Pi business fraternity

Impressions of Ball State/Miller College/The Honors Program: This program is extremely beneficial and helped expose me to the business world during my first year of college. The Miller College honors program gave me a rare chance to take business classes before most freshmen, which gave me a chance to experience business classes before many other students. I also enjoyed the many business events throughout the year. Talking to professional alums of the college and visiting businesses reinforced that business is the career for me. The faculty teaching the honors courses are very dedicated and supportive. I enjoyed every minute of the honors program my first year at Ball State University.

Reasons to Apply: The Miller College of Business program will challenge students to develop efficient study habits and provide close relationships with other students in the program. The classes are advanced in a way which students will have to motivate themselves to learn challenging topics. This program is a perfect match for any incoming student that is dedicated to business and enjoys challenges.

Kimberly Shreves - Miller Scholar

Hometown: Shelbyville, Indiana Major: Accounting Minor: Spanish

Campus Activities: Delta Sigma Pi, Campus Crusades for Christ, Accounting Club, Student Voluntary Services

Study Abroad: Chile and Argentina, May 2009

Off-Campus/Community Activities: The Revolution (church)

Impressions of Ball State/Miller College/The Honors Program: I think the Miller College honors program has been a great experience. It has helped me to meet lifelong friends as well as outstanding faculty members. I feel like the Miller College honors program will provide me with unique opportunities to excel in the future.

Reasons to Apply: The campus is the perfect size. Also, the professors genuinely care about their students. The honors program allows you to transition to college life much easier as well as to make some amazing friends.

Nick Sizemore - Miller Scholar

Hometown: Richmond, Indiana Major: Mathematical economics, marketing Minor: Spanish

Campus Activities: Learning Center math tutor, Intramurals, Sigma Nu fraternity

Off-Campus/Community Activities: Adopt-A-Road volunteer, external employment

Impressions of Ball State/Miller College/The Honors Program: I love it all. I want it to be never-ending. I'm seriously really upset that I have to go back home this summer. I thought I was on top of the world in my studies, but I really had no idea. There's so much out there that you are going to learn about that you wouldn't have even imagined.

Reasons to Apply: No one says that money is one of the values they care about in their life. Unfortunately this is total falsehood for about 95 percent of those people. Everyone with a brain wants to be able to live their life with nice things and not worry about accruing debt. The business college, no matter what major you go into, will prepare you for the financial life that you have ahead of you.

Adam Smith - Miller Scholar

Hometown: South Bend, Indiana Major: Undecided (business) Minor: Spanish or economics

Campus Activities: Skydiving Club, Catholic Student Union

Off-Campus/Community Activities: Play guitar for St. Francis Church

Study Abroad: London Centre, fall 2009

Impressions of Ball State/Miller College/The Honors Program: Great professors and small classes with the same people mean help is always around. Study abroad stipend a great way to experience the world, definitely take advantage of that.

Terah Studer

Hometown: Downers Grove, Illinois Major: Marketing

Campus Activities: Campus Crusade for Christ, Knotts/Edwards resident assistant (RA)

Impressions of Ball State/Miller College/The Honors Program: This program is really great. The specialized help is a major benefit that is rarely seen in many of my other core classes. There are many opportunities here at Ball State and through the Miller College that, in any larger school, would be difficult get in to. Ball State and the Miller College of Business really care about the success of their students.

Reasons to Apply: The school is the perfect size. There are enough students where there is variety and still plenty of new people to meet, but you are also more than just a number, especially in Miller College honors program. The smaller group size makes classes a lot easier. Also having the same 20 people in your business classes is very convenient because you always have someone to help you or study with.

Colleen Walton

Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana Major: Marketing Minor: Hospitality management

Campus Activities: Ball State tour guide, Ball State orientation leader, Welcome Week leader, and Delta Sigma Pi

Study Abroad: Edith Cowan University, Australia, spring 2010

Impressions of Ball State: What I love most about Ball State is the size. I was worried that I would be just a face in a crowd here. But I always see someone I know when I walk to class, give a tour, or go somewhere to eat. I love that I can have the small campus feel but still have all the opportunities and experiences available at a large school.

Impressions of Miller College/The Honors Program: I like that I take my business classes with the same people. We've all gotten to know each other really well, and we're friends outside of class. There's always someone there to help me with homework if I need it, but there's always someone available to go eat or hang out with, too. I like knowing that, when I show up for the first day of class in a new semester, I'm going to see 20 people I already know. We all really support each other and understand that we have different strengths.

Reasons to Apply: I get one-on-one attention from my professors and advisors that I don't feel like I would get otherwise. I think the honors program provides me with every opportunity I need to be successful. We're encouraged to try new things and push ourselves and we know there will always be someone there to help us along the way.

Marissa Wynn - Miller Scholar

Hometown: Fairfield, Ohio Major: Information systems Minor: Undecided

Campus Activities: Ball State Swing Society, SVS program coordinator, Student Honors Council (secretary, fall 2009)

Study Abroad: London Centre, spring 2010

Impressions of Ball State/Miller College/The Honors Program: One thing that surprised me is how much professors are willing to do to help you succeed.

Briana Yoder

Hometown: Nappanee, Indiana Major: Marketing Minor: Digital publishing

Campus Activities: I am involved in Delta Sigma Pi, where I have a leadership position as the VP of community service. I work as a student assistant in the Honors College office. I am also hoping to get involved in an immersion program next spring semester at the Virginia B. Ball Center.

Study Abroad: London, Vienna, or South Africa internship, summer 2010

Impressions of Ball State/Miller College/The Honors Program: I would recommend the business honors program to all students, it has been a very helpful resource in transitioning to college, and I have made some really good friends in the program.

Brooke Zollinger - Miller Scholar

Hometown: Fort Wayne, Indiana Major: International business Minor: Spanish

Campus Activities: Delta Sigma Pi professional business fraternity, AMA

Study Abroad: Costa Rica/Panama Field Study, winter break 2008-09

Impressions of Ball State/Miller College/The Honors Program: I love the atmosphere of Ball State's campus, and there is always something to do. Miller College and the honors program have helped me immensely in my first year of college. I can't imagine doing everything without the help I've received from everyone involved in the college and the honors program.

Reasons to Apply: I would recommend the honors program to anyone who is willing to work hard and work closely with others in the program. It has been a huge blessing to have others to count on and ask questions that you have.