Ball State University, like other communities, has certain trends and fads that are constantly "tipping" their way to success. Freshmen this year have the opportunity to identify trends.
Freshman Connections Team One is sponsoring a contest for all Freshman Connections students titled, "What Tipping Points Do You See in Your Community: Photography Contest and Exhibit." The purpose of the contest is to find and identify tipping points throughout the Ball State community.
Malcolm Gladwell's book, "The Tipping Point," was to be read by all freshmen students before the fall semester began. Gladwell spoke at Ball State on Sept. 20.
In Gladwell's book, the main idea centers around trends and fads "tipping," or coming to a pinnacle in their popularity and success, and how this affects society.
"Tipping points allow us to display who we are as a culture," Tim Berg, assistant professor of history and one of the coordinators of the contest, said.
Freshman Connections teams meet in the summer to come up with ideas for getting freshmen to connect with other freshmen during the following academic year. Each team sponsors a different event throughout both semesters. Some events are campus-wide, such as the Tipping Point contest.
"We tried to find a unique way to put ideas from the book into action," Mitch Isaacs, residence hall director of Dehority Complex and Team One member, said.
As a participant in the contest, someone may enter one picture or a series of pictures of trends that are on the verge of "tipping" around campus. The submission must include the participant's name and contact information, as well as a title and caption for the pictures.
The photographs can be no larger than 8 inches by 10 inches, and no framing or mounting of the picture is necessary.
Cameras are available for rent in the Bracken Library basement at the Equipment Projectionist Services desk.
All entries can be turned in to Berg in the Burkhardt Building, room 224, by Oct. 7.
Winners will be announced by Oct. 11 with recognition at an exhibit in Bracken Library, Berg said. All photo entries will be on display at the exhibit beginning Oct. 10 through Oct. 21.
A few prizes include a $25 gift certificate to the Ball State Bookstore and an autographed copy of "The Tipping Point" by Gladwell.
"We are attempting to firm up the details and have the grand prize be chauffeuring a student around in the Campus 'Gator' cart," Dave Concepcion, assistant professor of philosophy and Freshman Connections Team One leader, said.
The idea is that students might be able to spot trends and show them with photographs so that others can see them, Berg said.
"Our interest in Freshman Connections is not so much the contest part of this, but rather the exhibition and the chance to show everyone what kinds of tipping points students are seeing," Berg said.
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