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 freshman students in the Miller Honors and Miller Scholars programs:

Jack Allgood

Hometown: Michigan City, Indiana Major: Accounting, finance

High School Achievements/Activities: Academic Honors Diploma, Distinguished Graduate, Burger King Scholars recipient, National Honor Society, Ball State Presidential Scholarship, Michael & Jacqueline Johnston Family Scholarship

Ball State Interests/Activities: Rotaract, Accounting Club, intramurals

Impressions of Ball State/Miller College/The Honors Program: I chose Ball State because of the campus size and quality programs. I chose Miller College of Business because of the quality education it can provide through small classes and immersive learning.

Bobby Anderson

Hometown: Naperville, Illinois Major: Marketing Minor: Spanish

High School Achievements/Activities: Neuqua Valley High School DECA chapter president, Illinois DECA Advertising Campaign state champion, Illinois Foundation for Marketing Education Honor Award, voted “Most Likely to Become a CEO” in a graduating class of 1,200 students

Ball State Interests/Activities: American Marketing Association, Hall Council Representative Kn’Ect, intramurals

Impressions of Ball State/Miller College/The Honors Program: I was attracted to the rigor of the coursework and the networking opportunities offered by the program. The campus, faculty, and business program ultimately led to my decision to attend Ball State.

Chloe Barnes - Miller Scholar

Hometown: Quincy, Illinois Major: Business administration, fashion merchandising, fashion design

High School Achievements/Activities: High Honors, Ball State Presidential Scholarship, Ball State Miller Scholar, Ball State Whitinger Scholar, IHSA State Finals Qualifier Optimist International Club Essay Contest, The Broadcaster newspaper, Key Club, SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions), Quincy Art Society, community volunteer, KHQA Student Athlete of the Year, Ball State basketball scholarship

Ball State Interests/Activities: Miller Scholar Program, Whitinger Scholar Program, Ball State University women’s basketball team, Fashion Merchandising Association

Impressions of Ball State/Miller College/The Honors Program: I first chose Ball State University because I loved the women’s basketball team and the coaching staff at the university. Once I was an official member of the team however, I chose the Miller College because it has a great reputation of producing successful, prepared, and creative business people because of their rigorous course programs, helpful faculty, and immersive learning beliefs.

Interesting Fact: My passion is fashion, specifically fashion merchandising, but I realize that for anyone to be successful in today’s business world, a substantial degree in business is essential and will often give you an advantage over your other competitors.

Kevin Bergen - Miller Scholar

Hometown: West Chester, Ohio Major: International business, finance focus Minor: Spanish

High School Achievements/Activities: First Honors, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Blueprint newspaper, first team all-GCL bowler

Ball State Interests/Activities: CRU, Focus Bible Study, Catholic Student Union, Bowling Team

Impressions of Ball State/Miller College/The Honors Program: Ball State has an amazing campus and the program here is great too. The scholarship also helped to influence my decision. The personalization of the program was also a big factor.

Laura Chappell - Miller Scholar

Hometown: Zionsville, Indiana Major: Accounting

High School Achievements/Activities: 4.0 Award, High Honor Roll, Scholar Athlete Award, Varsity Volleyball captain, Varsity Volleyball MVP, Hoosier Crossroads All-Conference, Eagles as Leaders.

Ball State Interests/Activities: Accounting Club, CRU, American Sign Language Club, business fraternity and sorority, intramural volleyball

Impressions of Ball State/Miller College/The Honors Program: The size of Ball State seemed like the perfect fit for me. I love Muncie and of course the campus. Ball State’s slogan “immersive learning” as well as the opportunities to study abroad were enough alone to entice me to come here!

Carla Cotton

Hometown: Rockport, Indiana Major: Accounting

High School Achievements/Activities: Top Ten, Honors Diploma, Hoosier Girls State, Key Club vice president, Beta Club, Academic Team, Spell Bowl, 4-H (clogging), band, stage crew for drama dept, PEERS project

Ball State Interests/Activities: Student Honors Council, Catholic Student Union, business fraternity, FOCUS Bible Study, Advanced Professionalism Certificate

Impressions of Ball State/Miller College/The Honors Program: I chose Ball State because I really liked the campus and the size seemed perfect for me-not too big, but not too small either. Also, I had only heard good things about the Miller College of Business. After visiting the campus a few times, I decided that Ball State was the best school for me.

Crissy Curry

Hometown: Hagerstown, Indiana Major: Accounting

High School Achievements/Activities: National Honors Society, English Team and Science Team president, valedictorian

Ball State Interests/Activities: Honors Committee, Accounting Club

Impressions of Ball State/Miller College/The Honors Program: This program seemed to be the logical next step in furthering my education. I want to challenge myself and I believe this is a perfect situation to accomplish that task.

Joseph Fazio - Miller Scholar

Hometown: Cedarburg, Wisconsin Major: Undecided (business)

High School Achievements/Activities: DAR Good Citizen Award, National Honors Society vice president, varsity football and basketball captain, High Honors, 4-year scholar athlete, All-conference linebacker, wide receiver and punter, Gold Team, Math Team, FCA lender, Teens Teaching Tolerance Head teacher and Student Council representative

Ball State Interests/Activities: American Marketing Association, CRU/Nuemann Center, Ball State football team, fraternity, multiple intramural leagues, swing dance club

Impressions of Ball State/Miller College/The Honors Program: The people at Ball State and within the Miller College of Business are all so outgoing, friendly, and willing to help. That goes for professors, students, and staff. Everyone wants you to be here and to have a great experience. This made the choice easy for me. Go Cardinals!

Kara Gilbert

Hometown: Cedar Lake, Indiana Major: Accounting

High School Achievements/Activities: Senior Spanish Student of the Year, 4-Year Superior Honor Roll, class secretary, "best defensive player" in varsity softball and volleyball

Ball State Interests/Activities: Accounting Club, choir, sorority

Impressions of Ball State/Miller College/The Honors Program: Miller College and the honors program will allow students to reach full potential through teacher/student relationships and work relating to real world scenarios.

Interesting Fact: I played 8 years of travel softball and 2 years club volleyball. I wish to attend law school after my years at Ball State.

Austin Hostetter

Hometown: Nappanee, Indiana Major: Undecided (business)

High School Achievements/Activities: Varsity tennis, captain junior year, class vice president, Student Council vice president, Nappanee Missionary Church employee, helped coordinate efforts that raised more than $55,000 for African countries, Business Professionals of America, National Honor Society, high school Earth Week coordinator, school recycling program founder

Ball State Interests/Activities: The Revolution Church, tcom club, political organization club
Impressions of Ball State/Miller College/The Honors Program: Everything added up. I thought the MCOB was an excellent program. I loved the campus and felt like BSU’s commitment to “immersive learning” would prepare me for a future career.

Interesting Fact: I love politics (I worked the polls in this past election). I’ve spent 2 weeks this summer in the Dominican Republic doing evangelical and service-based work and have done the same in Washington, D.C.

Megan Hughes

Hometown: Santa Claus, Indiana Major: Undecided (business)

High School Achievements/Activities: Top Ten, marching band, jazz band, winter percussion, Business Professionals of America, National Honors Society

Ball State Interests/Activities: CRU, Catholic Student Union

Impressions of Ball State/Miller College/The Honors Program: I chose Ball State because I fell in love with the campus. After my first campus visit I was convinced that this was where I belonged.

Miranda King - Miller Scholar

Hometown: Plainfield, Illinois Major: International business, marketing

High School Achievements/Activities: National Honor Society, Giekman National Honor Society, 3.0 GPA, Illinois State Scholar

Ball State Interests/Activities: Delta Sigma Pi business fraternity pledging, hall council

Impressions of Ball State/Miller College/The Honors Program: I chose Ball State because of the beautiful campus and extraordinary people.

MaryBeth Kowalinski - Miller Scholar

Hometown: Mishawaka, Indiana Major: Undecided (marketing, business education)

High School Achievements/Activities: Ranked 9th in class, Kiwanis Youth Leadership Award, varsity golf, NHS secretary, ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, church youth group student leader

Ball State Interests/Activities: CRU, Swing Dance Club, Young Republicans, Advanced Professionalism Certificate

Impressions of Ball State/Miller College/The Honors Program: I loved the campus and how welcoming everyone was. I chose Miller College because I loved the business honors program and all the opportunities it has to offer.

Rachel Kucan - Miller Scholar

Hometown: Hobart, Indiana Major: International business and French

High School Achievements/Activities: Ranked 7th in class, 4.0 GPA, Girls Golf Captain, National Honor Society, We the People state qualifier

Ball State Interests/Activities: Hall Council, Advanced Professionalism Certificate, business fraternity

Impressions of Ball State/Miller College/The Honors Program: I liked the smaller campus. I really liked Ball State’s learning approach of immersive learning. Also, Miller College has a long list of successful alumni showing the program is successful. After I saw the campus, talked to students, and visited with professors, I became very confident. I really enjoy the academic challenge Ball State offers and the social activities during the week and weekends. Ball State is a wonderful school all around!

Cailee Morris - Miller Scholar

Hometown: Winfield, Illinois Major: Undecided (business)

High School Achievements/Activities: Battle of the Bands co-founder, Executive Board, Principal's Award, chair of five school dances

Ball State Interests/Activities: CRU, hall council, Honors Council, Young Republicans, Advanced Professionalism Certificate

Impressions of Ball State/Miller College/The Honors Program: I chose Ball State University and Miller College of Business because of the amazing opportunities in the Honors College and Miller honors programs. The smaller classes and immersive learning opportunities allow me to have a well rounded education.

Jessica Poeppelman - Miller Scholar

Hometown: Fort Loramie, Ohio Major: Accounting

High School Achievements/Activities: Valedictorian, Student of the Year, Outstanding Business Student, Mathematics Student, Outstanding Industrial Arts Student, National Honor Society president.

Ball State Interests/Activities: Accounting Club, Dehority Hall Council, Student Honors Council, CRU

Impressions of Ball State/Miller College/The Honors Program: I chose Ball State University because I knew it had so much to offer. It is the perfect size for me and not too far from my hometown. The Miller College of Business is also great because it offers top-notch professors and programs that challenge a student in several different aspects.

Interesting Fact: I enjoy woodworking and built my own grandfather clock without any plans. This clock also earned Best Floor Clock Honors in the 2008 National Klockit Contest.

Jacob Sowers

Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana Major: Accounting

High School Achievements/Activities: Perfect SAT math score, National Honors Society, United Way Youth leadership initiative participant

Ball State Interests/Activities: Accounting Club, service groups, rec sports (basketball)

Impressions of Ball State/Miller College/The Honors Program: Campus is large but not too big like IU/Purdue, went to career counselor and recommended Ball State and Miller College, liked smaller class size and having classes w/Miller Honors students.

Samantha Vail

Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana Major: Accounting

High School Achievements/Activities: Top Ten (freshman-junior) Top Twenty (senior)

Impressions of Ball State/Miller College/The Honors Program: I love the campus and the program Miller College offers.

Morgan Walker - Miller Scholar

Hometown: Mulberry, Indiana Major: Undecided (business) Minor: Spanish

High School Achievements/Activities: National Honor Society, Z-Club (philanthropic organization), Student Council, Academic Honors Diploma, Honorable Mention Academic All-State (softball), varsity softball and cross-country, Hoosier Girls State Delegate, Senator Lugar’s Symposium for Tomorrow’s Leaders

Ball State Interests/Activities: CRU, hall council

Impressions of Ball State/Miller College/The Honors Program: I chose Ball State because I felt a better fit here than any other university I looked at. I loved how friendly and helpful the students and faculty were, and the size of the campus was exactly what I wanted. The outstanding reputation of Miller College of Business was definitely the determining factor in my decision to attend Ball State. I absolutely love it at Ball State University and Miller College is a large part of that. Coming from a small town, I was extremely nervous about starting college and making friends, but the Miller Honors Program has truly made this transition an easy one.

Christopher Wilkey - Miller Scholar

Hometown: Lewisville, Indiana Major: Marketing and finance

High School Achievements/Activities: Second in the nation in Business Professionals of America Economic Research Team Competition, senior class president, National Honors Society president, salutatorian

Ball State Interests/Activities: Late Nite, American Marketing Association, Excellence in Leadership, Advanced Professionalism Certificate, Collegiate Entrepreneurship Association, College Mentors

Impressions of Ball State/Miller College/The Honors Program: I chose Ball State because it was close to home and it offered the programs I wanted. The campus was nice and the people were even nicer.

Interesting Fact: I own my own dj business, Alpha Entertainment.

Grace Williams

Hometown: Champaign, Illinois Major: Marketing Minor: Spanish

High School Achievements/Activities: National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, senior class secretary, Illinois State Scholar, Award for Outstanding Involvement in Student Council, head of Senior Mentor Committee within interact (Rotary), Mu Alpha Theta (Math Honor Society).

Ball State Interests/Activities: Honors College, Miller Honors program, hall council, Student Honors Council, University Programming Board, Student Government Association, greek life

Impressions of Ball State/Miller College/The Honors Program: Ball State was the perfect choice for me. It offers top-notch facilities and quality teaching. At around 18,000, it is the medium sized school I was looking for... not to mention the beautiful campus. On my first trip to the Miller College of Business I knew it was the place for me. All of the staff is welcoming and they create a great learning environment for college and beyond.