Take in some of these fun, summer events happening at Ball State!

May 31, 2024May 31, 2024

Take in some of these fun, summer events happening at Ball State!

Nervous about visiting campus? Take a look at the Office of Community Engagement’s handy Getting to Campus resource for parking/public transit information!

Click the links for more information. Some events may be off-campus or have registration requirements.

Thursday, June 6, 2024

Capturing Life: A Journey Through Memoir Writing – 2 p.m.

Thursday, June 13, 2024

Summer E(scape) Watercolor Painting – 2 p.m.

Friday, June 14, 2024

Premiere Dance Recital: Fun in 21! – 6:30 p.m.
“Our Night Sky” Planetarium Show – 5 p.m.
AD Recital: Rachel Riddle, piano – 5:30 p.m.
“Moons: Worlds of Mystery” Planetarium Show – 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 15, 2024

Cole LIVE! 76th Summer Recital – 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
“One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure” Planetarium Show – 3:30 p.m.
“Living Worlds” Planetarium Show – 5 p.m.
“Moons: Worlds of Mystery” Planetarium Show – 6:30 p.m.

Monday, June 17, 2024

Summer Civic Learning Academy – 10 a.m.
Superstorm 1950 – 2 p.m.

Thursday, June 20, 2024

Summer Civic Learning Academy – 10 a.m.
Summer Nights in Muncie – 6 p.m.

Friday, June 21, 2024

Summer Civic Learning Academy – 10 a.m.
“Our Night Sky” Planetarium Show – 5 p.m.
“Moons: Worlds of Mystery” Planetarium Show – 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 22, 2024

Summer Civic Learning Academy – 10 a.m.
Dazzle Dance: You’re On The Request Line – 2:30 p.m.
“One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure” Planetarium Show – 3:30 p.m.
“Living Worlds” Planetarium Show – 5 p.m.
“Moons: Worlds of Mystery” Planetarium Show – 6:30 p.m.

Monday, June 24, 2024

Summer Civic Learning Academy – 10 a.m.
Summer Date Night – 2 p.m.

Thursday, June 27, 2024

Summer Civic Learning Academy – 10 a.m.

April 30, 2024April 30, 2024

School lets out in May, but there’s still stuff to do on Campus!

Nervous about visiting campus? Take a look at the Office of Community Engagement’s handy Getting to Campus resource for parking/public transit information!

Click the links for more information. Some events may be off-campus or have registration requirements.

Friday, May 3, 2024

Senior Show BFA/BA Exhibition Receptions – 4 p.m.
DA Dissertation Recital: Qiaohui Wu, voice – 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, May 7, 2024

Association of Lifelong Learners Annual Lucheon and Short Business Meeting – 12 p.m.
Feeling Crabby – 6 p.m.

Monday, May 13, 2024

Hidden Meanings of Gravestone Symbols – 2 p.m.
DA Performance Recital: Yu-Hsin (Darlene) Tsai, piano – 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, May 15, 2024

Creating a Culture of Community & Belonging – 2 p.m.

Thursday, May 16, 2024

Civil War Veterans Walking Tour at Beech Grove Cemetery – 2 p.m.

Friday, May 17, 2024

“Our Night Sky” Planetarium Show – 5 p.m.
“Moons: Worlds of Mystery” Planetarium Show – 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 18, 2024

Art in Bloom 2024 – 1 p.m.
“One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure” Planetarium Show – 3:30 p.m.
“Living Worlds” Planetarium Show – 5 p.m.
“Moons: Worlds of Mystery” Planetarium Show – 6:30 p.m.

Sunday, May 19, 2024

Art in Bloom 2024 – 1 p.m.

March 28, 2024March 28, 2024

April has SO MUCH to do at Ball State!

Nervous about visiting campus? Take a look at the Office of Community Engagement’s handy Getting to Campus resource for parking/public transit information!

Click the links for more information. Some events may be off-campus or have registration requirements.

Monday, April 1, 2024

Inclusive Excellence Concert with Guest Artist Joshua Thompson – 1 p.m.
Woodwind Chamber Music Recital – 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Hoosier Cabinets – 1:30 p.m.
Junior Recital: Dana Rodriguez, tuba – 5:30 p.m.
Running Against the Grain: Story of Philadelphia Eagle and Movie Star Timmy Brown – 6:30 p.m.
Junior Recital: Abigail Suppinger, horn – 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, April 3, 2024

Special Daytime Planetarium Shows and Eclipse Glasses Distribution for One Ball State Day – 11:30 a.m.
Cathy Siebert Sabbatical Lecture – 3 p.m.
French Film Festival – Casablanca Beats by Nabil Ayouch – 6 p.m.
12th Annual Showcase Concert – 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, April 4, 2024

We the Kingdom – All Day Event
Junior Recital: Raul de Mesa, euphonium – 5:30 p.m.
MM Recital: Jose Roman-Calderon, trombone – 7:30 p.m.

Friday, April 5, 2024

Beginning Needlepoint – 10 a.m.
Miller College Nineteenth Annual Alumni Awards – 12 p.m.
Biology Seminar Apr 5 – 1 p.m.
DA Performance Recital: Yu-Hsin (Darlene) Tsai – 5:30 p.m.
Flute Studio Recital – 5:30 p.m.
“Earth, Moon, & Sun” Planetarium Show – 5:30 p.m.
“Eclipse: The Sun Revealed” Planetarium Show – 6:30 p.m.
New Works Festival: Trinity by Eva Patton – 7:30 p.m.
DA Performance Recital: Parikesit Tanudjaja – 7:30 p.m.
MM Recital: Nick Miskimen, saxophone – 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 6, 2024

Student Recital: Katelyn Speck, voice – 1 p.m.
Kids Make Art at DOMA – 1:30 p.m.
Special Saturday Eclipse Activities at the Brown Planetarium – 2:30 p.m.
Joint Studio Recital: Saxophone and Clarinet – 3 p.m.
DA Dissertation Recital: Caroline Nardino, voice – 3 p.m.
Cello Studio Recital – 5:30 p.m.
New Works Festival: The Happy Trigger created by Nihan Yesil, written by guest artist Diego Sosa – 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, April 7, 2024

New Works Festival: A Golden Curve of Light by Jennifer Blackmer – 2:30 p.m.
Special Sunday Eclipse Programs at the Brown Planetarium – 2:30 p.m.
DA Performance Recital: Qianting Huang, voice – 3 p.m.
String Chamber Music Recital – 3 p.m.
Trumpet Ensemble Recital – 7:30 p.m.

Monday, April 8, 2024

Violin Studio Recital – 5:30 p.m.
THE DOZEN: A Dance Film by Caelan Smith – 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, April 9, 2024

Research Speakers Drs. Jay Kandiah & Diana Saiki – 12 p.m.
Get the Lead Out – 1:30 p.m.
A Woman’s Place: Mapping Ball State Women’s History – 2 p.m.
Student Jazz Combos Recital – 5:30 p.m.
Arts Alive Thalea String Quartet – 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, April 10, 2024

DA Performance Recital: Jiaqi Jin, piano – 5:30 p.m.
Spring Choreography Projects – 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, April 11, 2024

Lessons Learned in Leadership with Jennifer Wiese – 11 a.m.
Music in the Museum – 5:30 p.m.
Faculty Artist Series: Franklin Larey and guest artist Matthew Manwarren – 5:30 p.m.
French Film Festival – Le cercle rouge by Jean Pierre Melville – 6 p.m.
McGovern Lecture – 7 p.m.
Viola Studio Recital – 7:30 p.m.
Spring Choreography Projects – 7:30 p.m.

Friday, April 12, 2024

Introduction to Grant Writing – 9 a.m.
Biology Seminar Apr 12 – 1 p.m.
Sophomore Recital: Brighid McNiff, piano – 5:30 p.m.
Beyond Bach: Boismortier and Friends with Guest Artist Elizabeth Buck, flute and Faculty Members Mihoko Watanabe, flute and Lisa Kozenko, oboe – 5:30 p.m.
“We Are Stars” Planetarium Show – 6:30 p.m.
Junior Recital: Victoria Kerry, voice – 7:30 p.m.
Student Recital: Madeline Flight, oboe – 7:30 p.m.
Spring Choreography Projects – 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 13, 2024

Museum Docent Tour – 2:30 p.m.
“Magic Treehouse: Space Mission” Planetarium Show – 3:30 p.m.
“Sunset Meditation” Planetarium Show – 5 p.m.
DA Lecture Recital: Samuel Thompson, percussion – 5:30 p.m.
“We Are Stars” Planetarium Show – 6:30 p.m.
Rescheduled: University Singers 60th Annual Spectacular – 7 p.m.
DA Performance Recital: Oksana Komarenko, voice – 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, April 14, 2024

Cardinal Chorus, Vox Anima, and University Choral Union – 3 p.m.
Senior Recital: Mary Jacobson, viola – 5:30 p.m.
AD Recital: Jihye Song, cello – 7:30 p.m.

Monday, April 15, 2024

Brightline Train Travel in Florida – 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

Student Jazz Combos Recital – 5:30 p.m.
Junior Recital: Carter Brickler, jazz guitar – 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

Research Speaker Dr. Yihsin Tai – 1 p.m.
The World, According to Mali – 1 p.m.
Guest Lecturer Morgan Mickelson – 2 p.m.
Guest Artist Recital: Ben Carrasquillo, trombone – 5 p.m.
French Film Festival – Saint Omer by Alice Diop – 6 p.m.
Studio Band at The Jazz Kitchen – 7 p.m.
The Last Five Years – 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, April 18, 2024

Guest lecture on Indianapolis’ Journey Toward an Energy Benchmarking Policy – 11 a.m.
Piano Studio Recital – 5:30 p.m.
Entrepreneurial Experience Lecture with Marc Lore – 6:30 p.m.
Joint Student Recital: Jacob Hickle and Solomon Dixon, trombone – 7:30 p.m.
The Last Five Years – 7:30 p.m.

Friday, April 19, 2024

Abstract Watercolors – 10 a.m.
Mindfulness in the Museum – 12 p.m.
Biology Seminar Apr 19 – 1 p.m.
Platanos Y Collard Greens – 7 p.m.
The Last Five Years – 7:30 p.m.
Cabaret – 7:30 p.m.
Spring Opera – Il Campanello di Notte and Suor Angelica – 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 20, 2024

Make Glass Art at Glick! – 11 a.m.
The Last Five Years – 2:30 p.m.
Cabaret – 2:30 p.m.
MM Recital: Charles Hartman, horn – 3 p.m.
Joint Recital: Sammy Deckard and Carlos Juanillo-Castillo, euphonium – 7:30 p.m.
The Last Five Years – 7:30 p.m.
Cabaret – 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, April 21, 2024

Trombone Studio Recital – 2 p.m.
The Last Five Years – 2:30 p.m.
Spring Opera – Il Campanello di Notte and Suor Angelica – 3 p.m.
EM | Four – 7:30 p.m.

Monday, April 22, 2024

Junior Recital: Shaan Milharcic, violin – 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

1927: A Most Interesting Year – ’27 Had it All – 1:30 p.m.
AD Recital: Gozde Parlaktuna, violin – 5:30 p.m.
Campus Band – 7:30 p.m.
Cabaret – 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Alice: Dreaming of Wonderland – 7:30 p.m.
Violin Studio Recital – 5:30 p.m.
Sophomore Recital: Katy Tenbarge, cello – 7:30 p.m.
Ball State Jazz Ensembles with Guest Artist Remy Le Boeuf – 7:30 p.m.
Cabaret – 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, April 25, 2024

Lessons Learned in Leadership with Melvin Cole – 11 a.m.
Oboe Studio Recital – 5:30 p.m.
Senior Recital: Jake Haskins, percussion – 7:30 p.m.
New Music Ensemble – 7:30 p.m.
Cabaret – 7:30 p.m.

Friday, April 26, 2024

Biology Seminar Apr 26 – 1 p.m.
Senior Recital: Sloane Lakin, cello – 4:30 p.m.
“We Are Stars” Planetarium Show – 6:30 p.m.
Ball State Wind Ensemble and Wind Symphony – 7:30 p.m.
Cabaret -7:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 27, 2024

Harp Studio Recital – 10 a.m.
DA Performance Recital: Tamara Deichert, flute – 1 p.m.
DA Performance Recital: Ayrice Wilson and Wenting Wu, voice – 3 p.m.
“Magic Treehouse: Space Mission” Planetarium Show – 3:30 p.m.
“Sunset Meditation” Planetarium Show – 5 p.m.
DA Lecture Dissertation: Nicolas Andrade, horn – 5:30 p.m.
“We Are Stars” Planetarium Show – 6:30 p.m.
Cabaret – 7:30 p.m.
Concert Choir and Chamber Choir – 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, April 28, 2024

DA Performance Recital: Patricia Burton, cello – 3 p.m.
Senior Recital: Yi-Ju (Amy) Shih, violin – 5:30 p.m.
DA Performance Recital: Korn Roongruanchai, violin – 7:30 p.m.
Senior Recital: Joseph Novosel, voice – 7:30 p.m.

Monday, April 29, 2024

DA Performance Recital: Yu-Yao (Rachel) Chui, cello – 5:30 p.m.
AD Recital: Rachel Riddle, piano – 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, April 30, 2024

The Greatest Spectacle – 1:30 p.m.

March 1, 2024March 1, 2024

Get ready for Spring with some fun, Ball State activities!

A goose in a fountain takes up for foreground of the photo. In the background, students lounge on a green lawn with blooming trees overhead

Nervous about visiting campus? Take a look at the Office of Community Engagement’s handy Getting to Campus resource for parking/public transit information!

Click the links for more information. Some events may be off-campus or have registration requirements.

Friday, March 1, 2024

Biology Seminar Mar 1 – 1 p.m.
“Eclipse: The Sun Revealed” Planetarium Show – 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 2, 2024

“Kitz the Cat’s SuperMoon Adventure” Planetarium Show – 3:30 p.m.
“Kitz the Cat’s SuperMoon Adventure” Planetarium Show – 5 p.m.
“Eclipse: The Sun Revealed” Planetarium Show – 6:30 p.m.
Joe Gatto’s Night of Comedy – 7 p.m.
51st Annual Larry McWilliams Dimensions in Jazz Festival – 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, March 5, 2024

Beginning Genealogy – 10 a.m.
Lifelong Learners: Haunted Muncie: Uncanny Tales of the Magic City – 1:30 p.m.
Indianapolis Graverobbing: A Syndicate of Death -6:30 p.m.

Monday, March 11, 2024

First Ladies of Ball State – 2 p.m.
Faculty Artist Series: Trio Village – 5:30 p.m.
Faculty Artist Series: Marko Petričić – 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Entrepreneurial Experience Lecture with Bill Bussick – 11 a.m.
Junior Recital: Daniel Perez, jazz trumpet – 5:30 p.m.
Voice Studio Recital – 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Junior Recital: Connor Speakman, percussion – 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, March 14, 2024

Research Speaker Dr. Jerome Kotecki – 1 p.m.

Faculty Artist Series: Anna Vayman and Faculty – 7:30 p.m.

Friday, March 15, 2024

Johnny Cash – The Official Concert Experience – 12 a.m.
Mindfulness in the Museum – 12 p.m.
Biology Seminar Mar 15 – 1 p.m.
53rd Annual Pellegrini Festival of New Music – 4 p.m.
Looking Back | Moving Forward – 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 16, 2024

53rd Annual Pellegrini Festival of New Music – 11 a.m.
Museum Docent Tour – 2:30 p.m.
Flute Guild Recital – 5:30 p.m.
Looking Back | Moving Forward – 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 17, 2024

Looking Back | Moving Forward – 2:30 p.m.
University Choral Union and Cardinal Chorus – 3 p.m.
Faculty Artist Series: Stephen Campbell and YoungKyoung Lee – 3 p.m.
DA Lecture Recital: Andy Schroetter – 5:30 p.m.

Monday, March 18, 2024

Looking Back | Moving Forward – 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, March 19, 2024

DRUM TAO 30th Anniversary THE TAO 夢幻響 – 7:30 p.m.
Entrepreneurial Experience Lecture with Karen Mangia – 11 a.m.
Lessons Learned in Leadership with Karen Mangia – 11 a.m.
Women of Song and Vox Anima – 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Dementia Friends – 2 p.m.
Beyond Shareholder Primacy Reinventing Business Education – 3 p.m.
Campus Orchestra – 7:30 p.m.
Don’t Unlock the Door – 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, March 21, 2024

Virtual Lunch and Learn: The Power of Maps – 12 p.m.
Pastiche: New AI Art – 2 p.m.
Graduate Recital: Alena M Miskinis, piano – 5:30 p.m.
Beginning Sign Language – 7 p.m.
Don’t Unlock the Door – 7:30 p.m.

Friday, March 22, 2024

John Mellencamp – 8 p.m.
Biology Seminar Mar 22 – 1 p.m.
Voice Studio Recital – 5:30 p.m.
“Eclipse: The Sun Revealed” Planetarium Show – 6:30 p.m.
Ball State Wind Ensemble and Wind Symphony – 7:30 p.m.
Don’t Unlock the Door – 7:30 p.m.
Guest Artist Recital: Dr. Ellen Price Elder – 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 23, 2024

Viola Day – 9 a.m.
Writing in the Galleries: Icons, Angels, and Allegories – 1:30 p.m.
Don’t Unlock the Door – 2:30 p.m.
“Kitz the Cat’s SuperMoon Adventure” Planetarium Show – 3:30 p.m.
“Kitz the Cat’s SuperMoon Adventure” Planetarium Show – 5 p.m.
“Eclipse: The Sun Revealed” Planetarium Show – 6:30 p.m.
Don’t Unlock the Door – 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 24, 2024

Senior Recital: Braden Allison, voice – 1 p.m.
Don’t Unlock the Door – 2:30 p.m.
MM Recital: Emily Hunt, clarinet – 3 p.m.
String Recital – 5:30 p.m.
MM Recital: Katelyn Daily, voice – 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, March 26, 2024

Horn Studio Recital – 5:30 p.m.
Senior Recital: Joey Krachenfels, viola – 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Research Speaker Dr. Jay Kandiah – 1 p.m.
Percussion Ensemble Recital – 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Tea, Scones, and Not Your Grandmother’s Needlepoint – 2 p.m.
Joint Recital: Izzy Fuentes and Ethan Johnson, oboes – 5:30 p.m.
Meyer Lecture with Dr. Gabriela Veronelli: “The Politics of Translation and Location in Latin American Feminism” – 6 p.m.
Arts Alive: Indianapolis Baroque Orchestra – 7:30 p.m.
MM Recital: Jordan D Fredericks, composition – 7:30 p.m.

Friday, March 29, 2024

Biology Seminar Mar 29 – 1 p.m.
“So You Want to See Totality?” Planetarium Lecture – 5:30 p.m.
Junior Recital: Naomi Martin, piano – 5:30 p.m.
Senior Recital: Oliver Hazel, euphonium – 5:30 p.m.
“So You Want to See Totality?” Planetarium Lecture – 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 30, 2024

Special Saturday Eclipse Activities at the Brown Planetarium – 2:30 p.m.
Masterclass: Ralph Skiano, clarinet – 2:30 p.m.
Senior Recital: Andrew Harris, violin – 5:30 p.m.
DA Performance Recital: Renee Anderson, voice – 7:30 p.m.

January 31, 2024January 31, 2024

February is JAM-PACKED with fun stuff to do at Ball State!

Nervous about visiting campus? Take a look at the Office of Community Engagement’s handy Getting to Campus resource for parking/public transit information!

Click the links for more information. Some events may be off-campus or have registration requirements.

Thursday, February 1, 2024

Lessons in Leadership Speaker Series Jon Langford – 11 a.m.
Guest Artist Recital: April Kim, piano – 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, February 3, 2024

Opera Gala – 7:30 p.m. Opera Theatre Calendar, School of Music Calendar

Monday, February 5, 2024

Hairspray – 12 a.m. Emens Auditorium Calendar, Broadway, Music

Tuesday, February 6, 2024

Lifelong Learners: A Behind the Curtain Look at the New Athletics Landscape – 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

Uniting Profit and Purpose: An Introduction to Tri-Sector Business Models – 3 p.m.
Tom Shah Memorial Concert – Ball State Jazz Ensembles – 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, February 8, 2024

Entrepreneurial Experience Lecture with Huseyin Ergin – 11 a.m.
Lessons in Leadership Speaker Series Lyndie Metz – 11 a.m.
Ball State Symphony Orchestra – 7:30 p.m.

Friday, February 9, 2024

“Solar Superstorms” Planetarium Show – 6:30 p.m.
EM | Three – 7:30 p.m.
The Unexpected Guest – 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, February 10, 2024

Valentines Day Celebration – 10 a.m.
Museum Docent Tour – 2:30 p.m.
The Unexpected Guest – 2:30 p.m.
“One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure” Planetarium Show – 3:30 p.m.
“Eclipse: The Sun Revealed” Planetarium Show – 5 p.m.
“Solar Superstorms” Planetarium Show – 6:30 p.m.
The Unexpected Guest – 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, February 11, 2024

The Unexpected Guest – 2:30 p.m.
DA Lecture Recital: Nathan Anton, voice – 3 p.m.
Faculty Artist Series: Zoran Jakovcic, viola – 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, February 13, 2024

Lessons Learned in Leadership with Marcy Minton – 11 a.m.
Lifelong Learners: Storytelling Part 2—Pete will be Sharing Original Stories, Poems and Other Materials – 1:30 p.m.
Artistic Life of Vermeer – 2 p.m.
The Unexpected Guest – 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, February 15, 2024

Virtual Lunch and Learn: Media Literacy in a Post-Truth World – 12 p.m.
A Heartbeat from the Presidency – 1:30 p.m.
The Unexpected Guest – 7:30 p.m.

Friday, February 16, 2024

Trey McLaughlin and the Sounds of Zamar – 7:30 p.m.
Mindfulness in the Museum – 12 p.m.
The Unexpected Guest – 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, February 17, 2024

Ball State Wind Ensemble and Wind Symphony – 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Lifelong Learners: Solar Eclipse, April 8, 2024, and some of the finds of the James Webb telescope – 1:30 p.m.
Feufollet – 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, February 22, 2024

Midwest Regional African American Studies Biennial Conference – 12 a.m.
Lessons in Leadership Speaker Series with Mayor Dan Ridenour – 11 a.m.
Frederick Douglass Jazz Works – 7 p.m.
Ball State Campus Band – 7:30 p.m.
Gloria – 7:30 p.m.

Friday, February 23, 2024

Midwest Regional African American Studies Biennial Conference – 12 a.m.
“Solar Superstorms” Planetarium Show – 6:30 p.m.
MM Recital: Rachel Gripp, oboe – 7:30 p.m.
Tuba/Euphonium Studio Recital – 7:30 p.m.
Gloria – 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, February 24, 2024

Youth Workshop: Dramatic Allegorical Portraits – 1:30 p.m.
Gloria – 2:30 p.m.
“One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure” Planetarium Show – 3:30 p.m.
“Eclipse: The Sun Revealed” Planetarium Show – 5 p.m.
Student Recital: Katelyn Speck, voice – 5:30 p.m.
“Solar Superstorms” Planetarium Show – 6:30 p.m.
Chamber Choir – 7:30 p.m.
Gloria – 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Something Old, Something New (Watercolor Painting) – 2 p.m.
Student Recital: Michael Santos, bass – 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Reel Inclusion: Fattitude – 12 p.m.
Student Recital: Haley Turek, bassoon – 5:30 p.m.
Visualizing the Voices of Protest in Public Art – 7 p.m.
Faculty Artist Series: Anna Vayman and Faculty – 7:30 p.m.
Gloria – 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, February 29, 2024

Lessons Learned in Leadership Dan Wright – 11 a.m.
Voice Studio Recital – 5:30 p.m.
Reel Inclusion: Fattitude – 5:30 p.m.
Ball State Symphony Orchestra – 7:30 p.m.
Gloria – 7:30 p.m.

January 9, 2024January 9, 2024

Have you ever wondered why a certain house in your neighborhood is built of brick and set far off the road while all of the surrounding homes are wood-sided and closer to the road? Or are there sidewalks that flow from street to street and then suddenly stop? Is there a grouping of old commercial-style buildings that don’t seem to fit into the otherwise residential vibe of the neighborhood?

Muncie was first platted in 1827, incorporated as a town in 1854, and became an incorporated city in 1865. However, the area was first settled in the 1770s by the Lenape (Delaware) people, who had been transported from their tribal land in the Mid-Atlantic region. In 1876, natural gas was discovered in Indiana, and the gas boom reached Muncie in 1886.

Muncie attracted new businesses and industries, and its population grew over the next 100 years. What would eventually become Ball State University, the Eastern Indiana Normal School opened in 1899, only to shut its doors after two years of operation. The Ball Brothers eventually bought the buildings and land and donated them to the State of Indiana, which set up operations in 1918 for the Indiana State Normal School, Eastern Division. The school was renamed Ball Teachers College in 1922, Ball State Teachers College in 1929, and Ball State University in 1965.

A view of the EB and Bertha C. Ball mansion as seen from the lawn

Muncie’s growth is tied to its industrial past, as well as to the establishment of Ball State University. You can discover more about the physical development of the city by reviewing archival Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, which were produced by the Sanborn Map Company to assist fire insurance agents in determining risk and the cost of premiums. Ball State University’s Digital Media Repository has 200 Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps of Muncie dating from 1883 through 1911.

Additionally, many of Muncie’s neighborhoods developed covenants and restrictions as they were platted by developers. Original plats and their corresponding covenants and restrictions can be found in the Delaware County Recorders office, but several have been digitized and are available online. Many of the original subdivisions included restrictions on non-white residency, which is discussed in a Star Press article written by Bryan Preston in 2018. Several neighborhoods, including Westridge, Ludingwood, and Kenmore, have legally removed the race-based restrictions from their original covenants, language made formally illegal by the 1968 Fair Housing Act.

Learning more about the history of your neighborhood is an interesting activity, and by forming a better understanding of the past, you may be able to envision an even greater future. If you have a desire to connect with others who love local history, the Delaware County Historical Society has educational sessions, workshops, and an annual meeting of members. Consider joining!