Topics: Administrative, International Education

September 6, 2013

Congressman Luke Messer of Indiana’s 6th District presented the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Export Achievement Certificate to Jo Ann M. Gora, president of Ball State University today. The prestigious award granted by the Deputy Director General of the U.S. Department of Commerce recognizes organizations that have benefited from Commercial Service assistance to expand to new foreign markets.

“Ball State University is a prime example of how innovative firms and institutions in Indiana are bringing their U.S. goods and services to the global marketplace, which supports jobs and economic growth here at home,” said Mark Cooper, director of the Indiana Export Assistance Center. “Ball State’s success in international student recruitment reflects a broader trend of historic export growth. In 2012, U.S. exports hit an all-time high of $2.2 trillion, with record levels of sales to more than 70 trading partners, including major emerging markets and 11 free trade agreement (FTA) partners. I commend Ball State on its achievements.”

“We are honored to be recognized for our growing success in international education,” Gora said. “Ball State graduates will lead and succeed in a global marketplace. Both international and domestic students benefit from new perspectives and increased cultural awareness that result from a larger international student population.”

Ball State is a long-time partner of the U.S. Commercial Service. Utilizing CS sponsored trade fairs and webinars, and CS market research, Ball State has been able to recruit students from 68 countries, including China, Korea, Malaysia, India, Turkey, UAE, Libya, and Iraq in both undergraduate and graduate programs. As a result, Ball State’s international student population has doubled over the past 5 years. This incredible achievement has contributed not only to revenue growth for the school, but to development and enhanced cultural awareness of students and the Muncie community.

As part of Commerce’s International Trade Administration, the U.S. Commercial Service connects U.S. companies with international buyers. The Commercial Service Chicago is part of the agency’s worldwide network of offices located in 109 U.S. cities and nearly 80 countries. For more information on the U.S. Commercial Service visit www.export.gov.