Latest

Posted on

Spinning Towards Inclusion – Morningside Park welcomes the We-Go-Round

A dome with vertical spokes sits on an attractive slab against the background of the rest of the park. It has seats inside and the backs of the seats are painted with seasonal motifs. Visible on the front are a winter scene with a deer and three snow-covered trees, and a scene with two trees and a variety of animals including a beaver and a wolf facing the center of the panel.

In an enchanting display of community spirit and dedication to inclusivity, the Morningside Neighborhood Association, in collaboration with Muncie Parks and Recreation, proudly unveiled the newest addition to Morningside Park – the We-Go-Round. This vibrant carousel of joy was brought to life thanks in part to the financing from ARP funds, showcasing a community’s commitment to creating shared spaces that celebrate the diversity of abilities.

The We-Go-Round, installed by Landscape Structures, is more than just a playground piece; it’s a revolutionary design that invites children of all abilities to whirl in unison. With strategic seating areas and plenty of space, the structure welcomes wheelchairs, even those without wheel-locking mechanisms, ensuring no child is left on the sidelines.

Mayor Ridenour stands with Neighborhood Association members in front of the new We-Go-Round. A man in the center of the group holds a large pair of black, ribbon-cutting scissors.

The ribbon was cut on Monday, October 16th, 2023, with Mayor Ridenour, Deputy Mayor Ivy, Superintendent Malone, Park Staff, Neighborhood Association members, and the Muncie Police Department in attendance. The We-Go-Round, with its shade-providing rooftop and central handhold, promises to be the hub of laughter and shared experiences.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in making this dream a reality.  Come visit, see the joy in motion, and let your hearts spin with delight at Morningside Park.

Posted on

It’s cold outside! Stay warm by attending a Ball State public event!

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, December 1, 2023

  • Mindfulness in the Museum – 12 p.m.
  • EB Ball Holiday Open House – 5 p.m.
  • Jr. Recital: Sophie Buselli, violin – 5:30 p.m.
  • “The Christmas Star” Planetarium Show – 6:30 p.m.
  • Jr. Recital: Nina Vivo, violin – 7:30 p.m.
  • Ball State Wind Ensemble and Wind Symphony – 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, December 2, 2023

  • Emens: Orchestra Indiana: Christmas Celebration – 12 a.m.
  • Museum Docent Tour – 2:30 p.m.
  • “Magic Treehouse: Space Mission” Planetarium Show – 3:30 p.m.
  • “The Christmas Star” Planetarium Show – 5 p.m.
  • EB Ball Holiday Open House – 5 p.m.
  • Holiday Arts and Culture Night – 5 p.m.
  • Holiday in Bloom – 6 p.m.
  • “The Christmas Star” Planetarium Show – 6:30 p.m.

Sunday, December 3, 2023

  • Oboe Marathon – 12 p.m.
  • Tuba Christmas – 1 p.m.
  • Emens: Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland – 6 p.m.
  • Singers Holiday Choral Festival – 7 p.m.
  • Cello Studio Recital – 8:30 p.m.

Monday, December 4, 2023

  • Trombone Choir Concert – 5:30 p.m.
  • DA Recital: Soojin Lee, voice – 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

  • MTNA Recital – 5:30 p.m.
  • Faculty Artist Series: Cara Chowning and Kevin Gwinn – 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

  • Jocelyn Bolin Sabbatical Lecture – 3 p.m.
  • String Chamber Music Recital – 5 p.m.
  • Morgy Craig Memorial Concert by Ball State Jazz Ensembles – 7:30 p.m.
  • AD Recital: Gozde Parlaktuna, violin – 7:30 p.m.
  • The Little Prince – 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, December 7, 2023

  • Entrepreneurial Experience Lecture with John Merriweather – 11 a.m.
  • Student Recital: Sarah Smith, euphonium – 5:30 p.m.
  • The Little Prince – 7:30 p.m.
  • TAP! – 7:30 p.m.

Friday, December 8, 2023

  • Tea, Cookies, & Not Your Grandmother’s Needlepoint – 2 p.m.
  • Student Recital: Ashton Shelley, tuba – 5:30 p.m.
  • Student Recital: Scott Carter, tenor – 5:30 p.m.
  • “The Christmas Star” Planetarium Show – 6:30 p.m.
  • Student Recital: Sadie Baxter, voice – 7:30 p.m.
  • The Little Prince – 7:30 p.m.
  • TAP! – 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, December 9, 2023

  • Harp Studio Recital – 10 a.m.
  • DA Lecture Recital: Patricia Burton, cello – 1 p.m.
  • The Little Prince – 2:30 p.m.
  • “Magic Treehouse: Space Mission” Planetarium Show – 3:30 p.m.
  • “The Christmas Star” Planetarium Show – 5 p.m.
  • “The Christmas Star” Planetarium Show – 6:30 p.m.
  • The Little Prince – 7:30 p.m.
  • TAP! – 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, December 10, 2023

  • The Little Prince – 2:30 p.m.
  • TAP! – 2:30 p.m.
  • Holiday Choral Concert (Afternoon) – 3 p.m.
  • Holiday Choral Concert (Evening) – 6 p.m.

Monday, December 11, 2023

  • Student Recital: Josh Garwood, clarinet – 7:30 p.m.
  • DA Recital: Qiaohui Wu, voice – 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

  • Voctave – It Feels Like Christmas – 12 a.m.

Thursday, December 14, 2023

  • ALL OUT FOR CHRISTMAS: A SHOWBIZ RADIO FABLE – 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, December 16, 2023

  • Piano Studio Recital – 11 a.m.

The University is closed from 12/16/23 into the new year.

Posted on

Check out Ball State’s public November events to feel Thankful for fun!

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.

Wednesday, November 1, 2023

  • MFA 2nd Year Show Opening Reception – 4 p.m.
  • EB Ball: History of Breaking Bread at the White House – FULL – 6:30 p.m.
  • Candlelight Vigil for Peace – 7 p.m.
  • Percussion Ensemble Recital – 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, November 2, 2023

  • Guest Lecture: Dr. Charlene Fletcher on “For Whose Protection?: Black Women & Confinement in the Late-19th Century” – 3 p.m.
  • Ball State Symphony Orchestra – 7:30 p.m.
  • Pruis Hall – Las Cafeteras – 7:30 p.m.

Friday, November 3, 2023

  • Mindfulness in the Museum – 12 p.m.
  • IN ASTA Orchestra Invitational – 3 p.m.
  • Theatre and Dance: The Prom – 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, November 4, 2023

  • IN ASTA Orchestra Invitational – 8 a.m.
  • Museum Docent Tour – 2:30 p.m.
  • ASTRONOMY SLAM – Registration Required – 6:30 p.m.
  • University Choral Union, Cardinal Chorus, and Vox Anima – 7:30 p.m.
  • Theater and Dance: The Prom – 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, November 5, 2023

  • Theater and Dance: The Prom – 2:30 p.m.
  • Youth Symphony Orchestra of East Central Indiana – 3 p.m.
  • DA Lecture Recital: Alison Moore, soprano – 3 p.m.
  • Trumpet Ensemble Recital – 7:30 p.m.

Monday, November 6, 2023

  • Woodwind Chamber Music Recital – 5:30 p.m.
  • Sr. Recital: Noah Burch, violin – 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, November 7, 2023

  • Lifelong Learners: She Took Care of the Cat – 1:30 p.m.
  • Recital: Jazz Combos – 5:30 p.m.
  • Student Composers’ Forum – 7:30 p.m.
  • The Redeemer – 7:30 p.m.
  • Writing for Young People with Alicia D. Williams – 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, November 8, 2023

  • Reel Inclusion: Our Story (Abbreviated Version) – 12 p.m.
  • Business as a Force for Good: Why Societal Impact Matters – 3 p.m.
  • The Japanese Art of Mending with Sashiko – 6 p.m.
  • Arts Alive: Trenton Doyle Hancock – 7 p.m.
  • Theatre and Dance: The Prom – 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, November 9, 2023

  • Reel Inclusion: Our Story (Full Version) – 5:30 p.m.
  • EB Ball: Holiday Watercolor – 6 p.m.
  • Theatre and Dance: The Prom – 7:30 p.m.
  • Theatre and Dance: The Redeemer – 7:30 p.m.
  • Piano Studio Recital – 7:30 p.m.
  • Featured Reading with Alicia D. Williams – 7:30 p.m.

Friday, November 10, 2023

  • Holiday Card Workshop – 2 p.m.
  • Flute Studio Recital – 5:30 p.m.
  • “Destination Mars” Planetarium Show – 6:30 p.m.
  • Viola Studio Recital – 7:30 p.m.
  • Theatre and Dance – The Prom – 7:30 p.m.
  • Threatre and Dance – The Redeemer – 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, November 11, 2023

  • Emens – Orchestra Indiana: Classical Mystery Tour – 6 p.m.
  • Rinard Orchid Greenhouse – Tropics to Table – 10 a.m.
  • Theatre and Dance – The Redeemer – 2:30 p.m.
  • “Eclipse: The Sun Revealed” Planetarium Show – 3:30 p.m.
  • “Dynamic Earth” Planetarium Show – 5 p.m.
  • “Destination Mars” Planetarium Show – 6:30 p.m.
  • Theatre and Dance – The Prom – 7:30 p.m.
  • Theatre and Dance – The Redeemer – 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, November 12, 2023

  • Theatre and Dance – The Redeemer – 2:30 p.m.
  • University Singers – 3 p.m.
  • Flute Guild Recital – 3 p.m.
  • Guest Artist Recital: Fabian Lopez (violin), David Kovac (viola), and Ball State String Faculty – 5:30 p.m.

Monday, November 13, 2023

  • Violin Studio Recital – 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, November 14, 2023

  • Lifelong Learners: Flying for the Navy during the Cold War – 1:30 p.m.
  • Recital: Jazz Combos – 5:30 p.m.
  • First-Generation Student and Self-Supporting Student Discussion – 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, November 15, 2023

  • Emens – Mike Super – Magic & Illusion – 7:30 p.m.
  • College of Health – Speaker Series November – 1 p.m.
  • Campus Band and Campus Orchestra – 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, November 16, 2023

  • Global Entrepreneurship Week Speaker Jason Riley – 11 a.m.
  • Trombone Studio Recital – 5:30 p.m.

Friday, November 17, 2023

  • Womens Networking Breakfast – 8 a.m.
  • Student Recital: Jackson Martin, saxophone – 5:30 p.m.
  • “Destination Mars” Planetarium Show – 6:30 p.m.
  • Student Recital: Connor Granlund, trombone – 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, November 18, 2023

  • “Eclipse: The Sun Revealed” Planetarium Show – 3:30 p.m.
  • “Dynamic Earth” Planetarium Show – 5 p.m.
  • “Destination Mars” Planetarium Show – 6:30 p.m.
  • Fall Opera: Copland’s The Tender Land – 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, November 19, 2023

  • Fall Opera: Copland’s The Tender Land – 3 p.m.

Monday, November 20, 2023

  • Faculty Artist Series: James Helton – 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

  • Lifelong Learners: Istanbul Adventures – 1:30 p.m.
  • Jr. Recital: Quinton Kriner, viola – 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

  • Lifelong Learners: That Reminds Me of a Story…Therapeutic Storytelling – 1:30 p.m.
  • Entrepreneurial Experience Lecture with Marc Lore – 6 p.m.
  • Concert: EM | Two – 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, November 29, 2023

Jr. Recital: Raul De Mesa, euphonium – 5:30 p.m.

New Music Ensemble – 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, November 30, 2023

DA Performance Recital: Nicolas Andrade, wagner tuba – 5:30 p.m.

Posted on

‘Terrific’ friends come together for community reading project

A person in a green and white shirt sits on a low chair reading to children gathered around in an arc around him on the floor
Longfellow Elementary School student Isabella Foster reads Charlotte’s Web to Longfellow Principal Gerry Moore and her schoolmates A’Nyiah Shannon and Rashaud Hill.
Longfellow Elementary School student Isabella Foster reads Charlotte’s Web to Longfellow Principal Gerry Moore and her schoolmates A’Nyiah Shannon and Rashaud Hill.

“Some pig’ really brought the community together in September.
“Charlotte’s Web” was the focus of a community-wide reading initiative, culminating in Muncie Civic Theatre’s production of the classic tale at Southside High School. 
The initiative, designed to get kids excited about reading, was led by a team of executives from Muncie Civic Theatre, Heart of Indiana United Way, Muncie Community Schools, and Muncie Public Library.

Highlights:

  • Every third and fourth-grade student in Muncie Community Schools received a free copy of the book, thanks to support from Northwest Bank and Altrusa Foundation. 
  • Muncie Public Library locations offered audiobooks – in several languages – available for families to check out and listen to together. 
  • Muncie Civic Theatre offered four free daytime school matinees for MCS students, sponsored by Meridian Health Services. 
  • Muncie Community Schools students made “Charlotte’s Web”-themed art and prepared special songs that were part of the Civic Theatre performance.  
  • Muncie Civic Theatre provided free performances of the play for families participating in this community read initiative.  
  • Muncie Altrusa Club volunteered to read “Some Pig,” an early-reader picture book version of “Charlotte’s Web,” to elementary students. 
  • Several childcare centers and after-school programs worked on crafts, activities, and games they shared with each other and families to build interest and fun around the story.  
  • Muncie Civic Theatre presented “Charlotte’s Web” at Southside Middle School.
Posted on

We had a blast at this year’s Bridge Dinner!

Article and photos by Michelle Kinsey, Communications Manager, Office of Community Engagement

“It’s my favorite event of the year.”

It’s a comment you hear often at Muncie’s Fall Bridge Dinner.

And what’s not to love?

This year’s event, on Sept. 21, brought hundreds of community members to the Washington Street Bridge on a beautiful evening to enjoy great conversation, music, and the beautiful views of the White River.

There was music (provided by a DJ), food vendors, Muncie-loving merch sellers and, new this year, an opportunity to get up close and personal with the river in a Canoe Country kayak.

The long community tables were decorated with fall leaves, created by art students at Burris Laboratory School.

Thanks to everyone who made the Bridge Dinner possible: Muncie Action Plan, Shafer Leadership Academy, Ball State Office of Community Engagement, Muncie Downtown Development Partnership, Ivy Tech Community College – Muncie, Riverside-Normal City Neighborhood Association, Old West End Neighborhood Association, Open Door Health Services, Polcz Volbrecht Homes at RE/MAX Real Estate Groups, Muncie Community Schools, Canoe Country, and Words with Jas.

Generous support for the event is provided by Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County, Greater Muncie Chamber of Commerce, Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance, Muncie Central JROTC, Walls Furniture, and Woof Boom Radio.