When freshman Autumn Soeurt came to Ball State in the fall, she said she didn't think she would find anything fun to do off campus.
"I didn't know anything about Muncie at all," Soeurt said.
After taking a "Muncie 101" class with 36 other freshman last semester, however, Soeurt said she has become more interested in what the city has to offer.
Based on an Honors College colloquium offered last spring, Muncie 101 exposed students to several local attractions and resources, including White River Landing, the Minnetrista Cultural Center, Muncie Public Library, Cardinal Greenway and the recycling plant.
Guest speakers, such as Mayor Dan Canan and City Council President Chuck Leonard, spoke to students. Over 50 field trips and guest speakers total taught students more about the Muncie community.
"It reminded me of my hometown Indianapolis, and I found that there really are things to do off campus," Soeurt said.
Senior Jennifer Warrner, who helped create the 16-week class as part of her honors thesis last summer, said she wanted incoming students to become more familiar with the city.
"My goal was to show that more exists in Muncie than Ball State, the chain restaurants on McGalliard and the Muncie Mall," Warrner said. "Students are always told there's nothing to do in Muncie, but that's not true. You just have to explore some of its resources."
As a mentor of the class, Warrner said she had to come up with trip ideas and contact a variety of people in the community who could introduce students to these resources.
This semester, the class - which she now calls Muncie 202 - will introduce new students, mainly sophomores and juniors, to the Muncie area.
"It's going to be different to work with students who have preconceived notions about Muncie," Warrner said. "It's interesting to see if those opinions change over the course of the semester."
Adrienne Jones, Warrner's honors thesis advisor, is supervising the class, said James Ruebel, dean of the Honors College, said.
Ruebel said he is very satisfied with the work that both Warrner and Jones put into the project.
"Honors theses are widely different from each other, but this one is different in the sense that it's so community-oriented," Ruebel said. "Its goal is to develop long-term content instead of just trying to get something done for now."
Ruebel said the Honors College is hoping to include Warrner's material in its peer-mentoring program and even digitize it for future use.
"We should develop this as far as we can," he said. "We want to make it something to jumpstart students in the community. They'll be here for four years, so they may as well enjoy it, be aware of it and contribute to it."
Sections of the class this semester are offered at 2 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Like last semester, Warrner said she wants Muncie 202 to again bridge the campus and the community.
"Last semester, each of the 37 students had positive things to say about the class, so it is a worthwhile experience," Warrner said.
"I hope the class this semester will get students out of this Ball State bubble and help them to be more familiar with the city, " she said. "This will make them more comfortable here during their college experience."
For more information about the class, contact Warrner at jawarrner@bsu.edu.
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