Ball State University

Ball State University
source
Name	Ball State University
Established	1918
Type	Public research university
Endowment	$283.8 million (2021)
President	Geoffrey S. Mearns
City	Muncie, Indiana
State	Indiana
Country	United States
Students	20,319 (Fall 2022)
Faculty	1,023
Campus	Urban, 1,140 acres
Colors	Cardinal and white
Nickname	Cardinals
Mascot	Charlie Cardinal
Affiliations	Mid-American Conference

Ball State University is a public research university located in Muncie, Indiana. It was founded in 1918 following the donation of the former Ball Brothers estate to the State of Indiana. The university is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity" and is known for its programs in architecture, education, telecommunications, and entrepreneurship.

History

The institution's origins trace to the private Eastern Indiana Normal School, which failed and its assets were acquired by the Ball family, prominent industrialists known for the Ball Corporation. In 1918, the brothers donated the buildings and land to the Indiana General Assembly, leading to the establishment of the Indiana State Normal School, Eastern Division. It was renamed Ball Teachers College in 1929 in honor of the family and achieved university status in 1965. Key historical developments include the creation of the pioneering Burris Laboratory School in 1929 and the university's leadership in the immersive learning and entrepreneurship initiatives under presidents like John R. Emens and Jo Ann Gora. The campus was also the site of the landmark Middletown studies conducted by Robert S. Lynd and Helen Merrell Lynd.

Campus

The main campus spans over 1,100 acres in Muncie, featuring a mix of historic and modern architecture. Notable facilities include the David Owsley Museum of Art, the Muncie Fieldhouse, the L.A. Pittenger Student Center, and the Bracken Library. The College of Architecture and Planning is housed in a distinctive building designed by Eero Saarinen and completed by his firm. The university also operates the Ball State University Farm and the Christy Woods arboretum. Recent construction includes the Health Professions Building and renovations to the Whitinger Business Building. The campus is integrated with the surrounding Middletown community and is a short distance from Minneapolis and Indianapolis.

Academics

The university is organized into eight colleges: the College of Fine Arts, the Miller College of Business, the College of Architecture and Planning, the College of Sciences and Humanities, the College of Health, the Teachers College, the College of Communication, Information, and Media, and the Honors College. It offers over 120 undergraduate majors and numerous graduate programs, including doctorates in fields like educational psychology and historic preservation. Ball State is recognized for its immersive learning projects, its Center for Information and Communication Sciences, and its affiliation with the Public Broadcasting Service station WIPB. The Entrepreneurship Center and the Building Better Communities initiative are key outreach programs.

Student life

Student life is centered around more than 400 student organizations, including fraternities and sororities affiliated with the North American Interfraternity Conference and the National Panhellenic Conference. Media outlets include the daily newspaper The Ball State Daily News, the radio station WCRD, and the television station NewsLink Indiana. Major annual events include Homecoming festivities and the Late Nite weekend program. The University Program Board organizes concerts and lectures, having hosted figures like Barack Obama and Kurt Vonnegut. Residential life features a variety of living-learning communities and traditional residence halls like DeHority Complex and Kinghorn Hall.

Athletics

The university's athletic teams, known as the Ball State Cardinals, compete in the NCAA Division I as a member of the Mid-American Conference. The football team plays at Scheumann Stadium, while men's and women's basketball teams compete at John E. Worthen Arena. Notable athletic achievements include the 1990 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament appearance, the 2020 Mid-American Conference football championship, and consistent success in volleyball and gymnastics. The department also oversees club sports and the intramural program at the Jo Ann Gora Student Recreation and Wellness Center. Famous athletic figures associated with the program include coach Bonnie K. Smith and National Football League player Brad Maynard.

Notable alumni

Alumni have achieved prominence in diverse fields such as entertainment, politics, business, and sports. In media and arts, notable graduates include television host David Letterman, for whom the David Letterman Communication and Media Building is named, actress Joyce DeWitt, and Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer John H. White. Political figures include former United States Senator Richard Lugar and former Indiana Governor Mike Pence. Business leaders encompass Angie's List co-founder Angie Hicks and Sallie Mae CEO Albert L. Lord. Sports alumni include Major League Baseball player Jeffrey D. Samardzija and National Basketball Association coach Rick Carlisle.