Seven Quirky Things That Make Ball State the Place it is
By Miguel Naranjo / September 4, 20227 special things about Ball State that contribute to the laid-back, inviting, jovial culture on campus.
7 special things about Ball State that contribute to the laid-back, inviting, jovial culture on campus.
Kris Ball started writing when she was 6 years old — poetry, song lyrics, short stories. Ball said in the opening of one of her books that, sitting at the foot of her bed, her Aunt Janice — a woman 10 years younger than Ball’s “hands-off” mother — encouraged her to write and “would listen to [her] stupid poems.”
The newsroom is buzzing — designers are laying out pages, photographers are choosing their best photos and reporters are getting their stories completed before their deadline.
Established in 1917 in honor of pioneer journalist and newspaper publisher Joseph Pulitzer, the Pulitzer Prize aims to honor exceptional journalistic achievements. Over the last 100 years, it has remained one of the most prominent and acclaimed awards for journalism.
The newsroom wasn’t always Doug Toney’s home. When he was a freshman at Ball State in 1969, Toney was on track to become a history teacher. Born and raised on the farm, he said it made sense to have summers off and help his family out on the property. But, after one mass communications class with George Harper, former professor of journalism, Toney was “hooked.”
Guitars strumming. Music blaring. Voices raised. People dancing. Before March 2020, the music scene on Ball State’s campus was as lively as ever. Then, everything changed. Once the pandemic hit, shows were immediately canceled, and the noise that once filled Ball State’s campus became a nearly silent hum. Now, slowly but surely, the scene is rebuilding, the sound is returning and music is back once again.
When Rome Herbert was about 8 years old, he frequently attended spoken word performances with his mother in Indianapolis and became inspired by its artistry.
It started with a promo of RuPaul’s Drag Race. In a pink, flowing Roman princess gown draped out from the arms, Roxxxy Andrews fawns herself with a large golden fan in front of four pillars with pegasuses flying around her. Her blonde hair fans out from her golden brown face, and black eyeliner and lashes hide the color of her irises.
When former Ball State assistant professor of geography and meteorology David Arnold’s home in the San Francisco Bay area got exciting weather, he thought “it was the coolest thing in the world.”
Every afternoon, when the bell rang for lunchtime and his classmates’ stomachs grumbled at the thought of chips in their lunchboxes, Braxton Williams swung his backpack over his shoulder and made his way to reading class.
Chicago-based actor E.M. Davis remembers entering their freshman year at Ball State as a “wannabe actor.” Davis wanted to major in acting in college, but they had some discouraging conversations about becoming an actor with previous high school teachers and family members.
When Audrey Barcio, Ball State assistant professor of art, was a child, she would watch her grandmother paint and sit by her side, working with her own watercolors, bonding over creating art, growing closer as they painted and discovering new techniques.
It’s 1957. Poodle skirts are “in,” Elvis Presley songs play all over the radio and drive-in movies are popular destinations for teenagers. Trending news topics include integrating schools in Little Rock, Arkansas, and the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union.
Being in college, it can seem like things are a lot more challenging and tough. Students need tools and hacks to make the college experience easier. On the Internet, students can learn effective study habits and access digital copies of textbooks and answers to questions that may not have been discussed in their classes. Here are five websites to make every college student’s life a little easier.
The classroom is filled with high-pitched clamor. As children chat about everything from their favorite color to Minecraft, the teacher steps in front of the whiteboard, raises his arms and gives a loud “clap, clap, clap clap clap.”
Being environmentally friendly not only helps the planet but also your wallet. It can help you cut down on your electricity bills when you unplug appliances that are not in use. Here are six tips on how to be more eco-friendly in your day-to-day life.
“Start with what you like.” That was Kerry Davis’ first lesson for his wife, Betty Davis, when she began collecting art alongside her husband.
Since joining the Fashion Merchandising Association (FMA) her freshman year, senior fashion merchandising major Brandi Osthimer has been working to raise the club from the ground up.
Since joining the Fashion Merchandising Association (FMA) her freshman year, senior fashion merchandising major Brandi Osthimer has been working to raise the club from the ground up.
Hannah Dreier never considered journalism as a career — she always liked reading and writing but thought she was going to do work as an activist after graduating from college.
