Louis E. Ingelhart, who died Sunday night, was primarily known on this campus as the father of the Department of Journalism.
Though he founded and then chaired the Department of Journalism for 25 years and expanded the department many times over, he could just as easily be recognized for his championing of the First Amendment and the rights it protects.
His passion for journalism and freedom of speech is mirrored in Ball State University's mission statement, which values "intellectual freedom, inquiry and investigation and creative activity."
His First Amendment advocacy resulted in the Louis E. Ingelhart First Amendment Award, which is a national award given annually by College Media Advisers.
But Ingelhart was more than a founder or spokesperson; he was more than a name on an award or member of numerous halls of fame. Anyone who has walked into the Art and Journalism Building to take a class, work for a student publication, paint a portrait or simply to ask a question owes a debt of gratitude for Ingelhart's work.
Taking all of this into consideration, it is no stretch to consider that Ingelhart's most important achievement was championing the rights of every student, regardless of major or affiliation.
Ingelhart's legacy warrants that students will one day enter the Louis E. Ingelhart Building when attending classes, eating at the Atrium or shopping at the bookstore.
Although the names of buildings have often been directly influenced by financial considerations in the past, this should not be the case with the Art and Journalism Building. The life Ingelhart gave to fighting for free speech, the Journalism Department and the university as a whole is beyond the value of any financial contribution he could have made.
His life was given to free speech, journalism and so much more, and his contributions should be honored with what can only be considered a small token of gratitude for all that he gave to this campus.
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