Ball State University
Location: Near 2000 W. University Ave., Muncie, (Delaware County) Indiana 47306
Installed 2020 Indiana Historical Bureau and Ball State University
ID#: 18.2020.1
Text
Side One:
To meet Muncie’s higher education needs, the Ball Brothers gave land, money, and the building here to the state in 1918. Their gift became the Indiana State Normal School Eastern Division and was renamed Ball Teachers College in their honor in 1922. During the 1930s and after WWII, the college experienced major growth in enrollment, facilities, and programs.
Side Two:
After achieving university status in 1965, Ball State University expanded with the addition of new educational offerings such as the College of Architecture and Planning. In the 1970s, BSU became a national leader in disability education and campus accessibility. Innovation continued into the 2000s, as evidenced by the pioneering geothermal energy system.
Summary
After at least four failed attempts at establishing an institution of higher education in Muncie around the turn of the 20th century, the Ball Brothers (Lucius, William, Edmund, Frank, and George), who were prominent local industrialists, stepped in to fill this critical community need. They had recently acquired the former property of the Muncie National Institute college and surrounding land. The Ball Brothers donated the property and land to the State of Indiana in early 1918, along with a sum of money, to become a part of the Indiana State Normal School, a teachers training school located in Terre Haute. Classes began at the new Muncie campus in June 1918 to prepare students in east central Indiana to become educators.
Throughout the 1920s, the new college underwent several name changes, constructed new campus buildings, doubled enrollment, and secured its own funding from the Indiana General Assembly. The Board of Trustees decided to honor the Muncie campus benefactors by renaming the Eastern Division of the Indiana State Normal School in 1922 the Ball Teachers College. What was dubbed the “separation bill” in 1929 formally separated the Terre Haute and Muncie campuses, although they continued to share a board of trustees until the 1960s. Under this law, the Terre Haute campus officially became Indiana State Teachers College and the Muncie campus became Ball State Teachers College.
In 1930, Ball State received formal accreditation and the highest rating available at the time by the American Association of Teachers Colleges and the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. This enhanced the school’s reputation across the state and country and highlighted its growth and progress over the past decade. Still, it was not untouched by the throes of the Great Depression and like many other colleges during the era faced economic strain and severe budget cuts. However, enrollment grew steadily, the campus continued to expand with new buildings, and both athletic and educational programs were added throughout the 1930s. The campus felt the sting of WWII as college-aged men left to serve their country, but the college was transformed in the post-war period. Ball State experienced a huge boom in enrollment, facilities, and programs. This dramatic expansion lasted a full two decades and shifted the college away from its teacher-oriented roots.
In 1965, Ball State College officially became Ball State University. New academic colleges and programs such as the College of Architecture, the Human Performance Lab, and Center for Radio and Television marked a new period of growth and solidified the shift from a small regional teacher’s college to a major state university emphasizing “education, research, and service.” By the end of the 1960s, enrollment grew to 17,000 students.
Although Ball State University experienced growing pains through the 1970s as it rapidly expanded and adjusted to its new university status, it also became a national leader in disability education and campus accessibility. Led by the student group Disabled Students in Action and the Office of Disabled Student Development, the university worked to ensure that Ball State was accessible to all students. Campus groups worked to ensure that disabled students received equal treatment and advocated for the awareness of disability rights. Ball State continued with its legacy of innovation in the new millennium with such initiatives as the closed-loop geothermal energy system, which cut the campus carbon footprint in half.
Annotated Text
Side One:
To meet Muncie’s higher education needs, the Ball Brothers gave land, money, and the building here to the state in 1918.[1] Their gift became the Indiana State Normal School Eastern Division and was renamed Ball Teachers College in their honor in 1922.[2] During the 1930s and after WWII, the college experienced major growth in enrollment, facilities, and programs.[3]
Side Two:
After achieving university status in 1965, Ball State expanded with the addition of new educational offerings such as the College of Architecture and Planning.[4] In the 1970s, BSU became a national leader in disability education and campus accessibility.[5] Innovation continued into the 2000s, as evidenced by the pioneering geothermal energy system.[6]
[1] “1918-04-04 Indiana State Normal School Board of Trustees minutes,” Ball State University Board of Trustees Minutes Collection, https://dmr.bsu.edu/digital/collection/BSUBoT/id/65426/rec/7, Ball State University, University Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, Muncie, Indiana; “Normal is Taken Over By State: Trustees Accept the Muncie National Institute, Gift of Ball Brothers, for School Purposes,” The Star Press, April 5, 1918; “Muncie School Taken by State: National Institute Property Given by Ball Brothers, to be Branch of Normal,” Indianapolis Star, April 5, 1918; “Report of Indiana State Normal School,” Yearbook of the State of Indiana, 1918, Indianapolis: State of Indiana, Executive Dept., 1918), 692-700.
[2] “Report of Indiana State Normal School,” Yearbook of the State of Indiana, 1918, Indianapolis: State of Indiana, Executive Dept., 1918), 692-700. The state refused to officially change the name in 1922 because it had no legal identity by itself outside of the State Normal School. Thus, the board of trustees decided to pass a resolution to change their name to “The Ball Teachers’ College, Eastern Division, Indiana State Normal School. “State Name Necessary,” The Indianapolis News, April 18, 1922; 1922-05-09 Indiana State Normal School Board of Trustees minutes,” Ball State University Board of Trustees Minutes Collection, https://dmr.bsu.edu/digital/collection/BSUBoT/id/64697/rec/1, Ball State University, University Libraries, Archives and Special Collections; “Name of Normal School Changed by the Trustees,” Muncie Evening Press, May 10, 1922; “Trustees Receive Science Hall Bids,” The Star Press, May 10, 1922. In 1929, the school’s name changed again, this time through official legislation to “Ball State Teachers College.” Laws of the State of Indiana, 1929, (Indianapolis: Wm. B. Burford Printing Co., 1929), 74; “Name Changed Now,” The Alexandria Times-Tribune, March 13, 1929.
[3] “Ball College’s Rapid Rise,” The Star Press, March 23, 1930; “1931-12-04 Indiana State Teachers Colleges Board of Trustees minutes,” Ball State University Board of Trustees Minutes Collection, https://dmr.bsu.edu/digital/collection/BSUBoT/id/63570/rec/2, Ball State University, University Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, Muncie, Indiana; John R. Emens, “Biennial Report of the President of Ball State Teachers College to the State Teachers College Board of Indiana For the Biennium Ending July 1, 1947,” (Muncie, Indiana), Publication 96; John R. Emens, “Report to the State Teachers College Board For the Biennium Ending June 30, 1949,” Ball State Teachers College, (Muncie, Indiana), Publication 114; John R. Emens, “Report of the President of Ball State Teachers College to the State Teachers College Board of Indiana For the Biennium Ending June 30, 1951,” (Muncie, Indiana), Publication 133; John R. Emens, “Report of the President of Ball State Teachers College to the State Teachers College Board for the Biennium Ending June 30, 1953,” (Muncie, Indiana), Publication 146; John R. Emens, “Report of the President for the Biennium ending June 30, 1963, Ball State Teachers College,” (Muncie, Indiana), From Normal to Extraordinary: Ball State’s First Century, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHaLifaWfGY; Glenn White, The Ball State Story: from Normal Institute to University, (Muncie, IN: Ball State University, 1967), 78-85, Appendix: Years of Growth, 239-240. All of the Board of Trustee minutes can be found here: https://dmr.bsu.edu/digital/collection/BSUBoT Student enrollment at Ball State grew rapidly in the 1920s. Due to the Great Depression, enrollments dipped slightly in the early to mid-1930s but remained relatively stable before rebounding in the second half of the decade. Despite economic constraints during the Depression, the physical campus continued to grow, and new programs were added. The post-WWII period saw massive growth in all areas of the campus. The Biennial President’s Reports from the 1940s-1960s contain yearly enrollment numbers for the entire history of the college. They also provide progress reports on long-time campus plans and growth.
[4] “H. 1014. Approved February 8, 1965,” Laws of the State of Indiana, Passed at the Ninety-Fourth Regular Session of the General Assembly, 1965, (Indianapolis: Central Publishing Company, 1965), 2-3; 1965-02-18 Ball State University Board of Trustees Minutes, Ball State University Board of Trustees Minutes Collection, https://dmr.bsu.edu/digital/collection/BSUBoT/id/54508/rec/8, Ball State University, University Libraries, Archives and Special Collections; “2 ‘New’ State Universities Bloom Overnight: Gain in Status,” Indianapolis News, February 9, 1965; “Ball State Will Mark New University Status: Program Friday,” Muncie Evening Press, February 9, 1965; “University Status is Well-Earned Honor, Muncie Evening Press, February 9, 1965. “School Bill is Signed by Governor Branigan,” Muncie Evening Press, March 12, 1965; 1965-04-08 Ball State University Board of Trustees Minutes, Ball State University Board of Trustees Minutes Collection, https://dmr.bsu.edu/digital/collection/BSUBoT/id/54453, Ball State University, University Libraries, Archives and Special Collections; 1965-05-10 Ball State University Board of Trustees Minutes, Ball State University Board of Trustees Minutes Collection, https://dmr.bsu.edu/digital/collection/BSUBoT/id/54341/rec/6, Ball State University, University Libraries, Archives and Special Collections; “Architects Invited To Compete at Ball State,” Indianapolis Star, July 15, 1967; “Ball State University’s Total Fall Enrollment Scheduled to be 12,340,” Seymour Daily Tribune, September 1, 1966; “Ball State University Campus Additions Set,” The Vidette Messenger (Valparaiso, Indiana), August 10, 1967; “Dateline: Ball State 5/14/65,” “Ball State Admissions: Growing With A Growing University,” “University Status Brings Celebration with Serious Thought of Ball State Future,” “Reorganization Affects Academic Framework,” Ball State Alumnus, Vol. XXII, No. 3, (Spring 1965), Inside Cover, 2-3, 8-9, 12; ”Dateline: Ball State 1968-1975,” “Journalism Expansion Continues,” “LaFollette Halls Open: Residence Halls Offer Vital Services,” Ball State Alumnus, Vol. XXV, No.3, (Spring 1968), 1, 4, 5, 8-10, 21; John J. Pruis, “President’s Corner,” “Swim Facilities Encouraging to Novice, Expert,” “The Ball State Story,” Ball State Alumnus, Vol. 26, No. 2 (Winter 1969), 3, 4-6; 9-10; John J. Pruis, “The President Speaks: University Enrollment Increase Shows Support, Poses Problem,” “Home Management Complex Provides Living Lab,” 2, 4-5; John J. Pruis, “President’s Message: Fund Contributions Increase World, Institution, Growth,” Ball State Alumnus, (February 1975), 2; “Growth and Change Rest on a Firm Foundation,” 1425 Degrees Were Conferred on May Class of Graduates,” “Burris School Allowed College Students to Gain Experience in Teaching,” “Intellectual Explosion in the Sciences Resulted in Departmental Expansion,” “Expansion Marked Economics, Political Science, Philosophy,” “Music, Art Departments Developed Cultural Interest in Students and Community,” “Indiana’s First 2-Year ROTC Program Started at BSU; P.E. Research Lab Is One Year Old,” “Architecture Proved a Challenge For Those Interested in Designing Building for Beauty and Utility,” The Orient, Ball State University Yearbook, Vol. 49, (1967), 11, 160, 170-171, 179, 180-183, 187, 196-197; Dwayne Gott, “Future Development on Campus,” The Orient, Ball State University Yearbook, Vol. ii (April 1972), 6-7; “Overview,” Mary Ann Higgins, “President John Pruis and Oliver Bumb: Putting the School’s Future in Perspective,” “New Angle of Landscape Architecture Takes Shape,” The Orient, Ball State University Yearbook, Vol. 58, (1976), 3, 166-167, 173.
[5] “Ball State University Receives New Grant,” The Herald (Jasper, Indiana), February 29, 1968; “For Handicapped Students, Barriers Down,” Indianapolis Star, May 16, 1976; “Ball State University Readying for Fall,” The Herald (Jasper, Indiana), August 2, 1976; The DSIA Communique, Vol. 2, No. 2, November 1978, BSU Student Life Collection, Ball State University. University Libraries. Archives and Special Collections, https://dmr.bsu.edu/digital/collection/BSUStntLfCo/id/15932/rec/28; The DSIA Communique, Vol. 2, No.4; April 1979, BSU Student Life Collection, Ball State University, University Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, https://dmr.bsu.edu/digital/collection/BSUStntLfCo/id/15938/rec/30; “Ball State a leader aiding handicapped,” The Herald (Jasper, Indiana), September 23, 1980; David Ritz, “Handicapped Services Receives National Award, DSIA Communique, Fall 1987, https://dmr.bsu.edu/digital/collection/BSUStntLfCo/id/16070/rec/1.
[6] 2009-02-06 Ball State University Board of Trustees minutes, Ball State University Board of Trustees Minutes Collection, https://dmr.bsu.edu/digital/collection/BSUBoT/id/3679/rec/47, Ball State University, University Libraries, Archives and Special Collections; 2009-05-14 Ball State University Board of Trustees minutes, Ball State University Board of Trustees Minutes Collection, https://dmr.bsu.edu/digital/collection/BSUBoT/id/3833/rec/1, Ball State University, University Libraries, Archives and Special Collections; 2016-09-09, Ball State University Board of Trustees minutes, Ball State University Board of Trustees Minutes Collection, https://dmr.bsu.edu/digital/collection/BSUBoT/id/77844/rec/21, Ball State University, University Libraries, Archives and Special Collections; Paul Lester, “Ball State building massive geothermal system,” March 19, 2010, https://www.energy.gov/articles/ball-state-building-massive-geothermal-system, Accessed 2/12/20; Candace Roulo, “Ball State University’s geothermal system will be largest in U.S.,” Contractor Magazine, December 5, 2011, https://www.contractormag.com/green/article/20877656/ball-state-universitys-geothermal-system-will-be-largest-in-us, Accessed 2/12/20; Brian Wheeler, “Switching Sources at Ball State University,” Power Engineering, Issue 6, Vol. 116, June 1, 2012, https://www.power-eng.com/2012/06/01/switching-sources-at-ball-state-university/#gref, Accessed 2/12/2020; Piljae Im, Xiaobing Liu, Hugh Henderson, “Final Report: Case Study for the ARRA-Funded Ground-Source Heat Pump Demonstration at Ball State University,” Oak Ridge National Laboratory, October 2016, https://info.ornl.gov/sites/publications/Files/Pub71170.pdf, Accessed 2/12/20; Tiffany Stecker, “How Ball State Will Get Its Heating and Cooling from Underground,” Scientific American, March 20, 2012, https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-ball-state-heating-cooling-from-underground/; James and Deb Fallows, “What We Saw in Muncie, Indiana,” The Atlantic, April 29, 2019, https://www.theatlantic.com/notes/2019/04/what-we-saw-muncie/587662/, Accessed 2/12/20.