The celebration of the 90th year of Ball State University got off to a festive start Thursday at the fourth annual Ball State Family Picnic in the Quad. Ball State faculty, staff and their families attended the event.
University President Jo Ann Gora said she viewed this year's picnic as a perfect opportunity for members of the university community to celebrate their accomplishments.
"The institution has a long history, and so we thought the picnic was a nice time to start the celebration," Gora said. "I hope people take pride in the institution and meet some new people that maybe they don't know."
The picnic featured free food, music by America's Hometown Band and circus games for children.
Gora said the event was greatly appreciated by Ball State faculty and staff members who saw it as a great opportunity to bring their families out for a fun day on campus. She added that the university went to great lengths to provide entertainment for the whole family.
"It makes it easier for our employees to come if they know their children are looking forward to this," Gora said.
Duane Karna, who will join the choral staff in August, said he was impressed the university would hold such an event. Coming from Reno, Nev., Karna said it was nice to see a place where he and his children could have fun together.
"What's been so satisfying for me, [my kids] are having such a good time," Karna said. "There is such a feeling of familyness."
Ball State students also attended the event. Svetlana Pekovic and Gozel Berkeliyeva said they were impressed by the event, which was the first they had attended.
Berkeliyeva said they were initially drawn to the event by the free food but were having a great time walking around and taking in the festivities.
Gora said the hard work of the event planning team was a big reason for a great turnout on Thursday.
"Every year we do a little better, make it a little bigger, more games for the kiddies, fancier music, we think about the food a little more," Gora said.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
