Spinning Towards Inclusion – Morningside Park welcomes the We-Go-Round

A dome with vertical spokes sits on an attractive slab against the background of the rest of the park. It has seats inside and the backs of the seats are painted with seasonal motifs. Visible on the front are a winter scene with a deer and three snow-covered trees, and a scene with two trees and a variety of animals including a beaver and a wolf facing the center of the panel.

In an enchanting display of community spirit and dedication to inclusivity, the Morningside Neighborhood Association, in collaboration with Muncie Parks and Recreation, proudly unveiled the newest addition to Morningside Park – the We-Go-Round. This vibrant carousel of joy was brought to life thanks in part to the financing from ARP funds, showcasing a community’s commitment to creating shared spaces that celebrate the diversity of abilities.

The We-Go-Round, installed by Landscape Structures, is more than just a playground piece; it’s a revolutionary design that invites children of all abilities to whirl in unison. With strategic seating areas and plenty of space, the structure welcomes wheelchairs, even those without wheel-locking mechanisms, ensuring no child is left on the sidelines.

Mayor Ridenour stands with Neighborhood Association members in front of the new We-Go-Round. A man in the center of the group holds a large pair of black, ribbon-cutting scissors.

The ribbon was cut on Monday, October 16th, 2023, with Mayor Ridenour, Deputy Mayor Ivy, Superintendent Malone, Park Staff, Neighborhood Association members, and the Muncie Police Department in attendance. The We-Go-Round, with its shade-providing rooftop and central handhold, promises to be the hub of laughter and shared experiences.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in making this dream a reality.  Come visit, see the joy in motion, and let your hearts spin with delight at Morningside Park.

Check out Ball State’s public November events to feel Thankful for fun!

Nervous about visiting campus? Take a look at the Office of Community Engagement’s handy Getting to Campus resource for parking/public transit information!

Click the links for more information. Some events may be off-campus or have registration requirements.

Wednesday, November 1, 2023

Thursday, November 2, 2023

Friday, November 3, 2023

Saturday, November 4, 2023

Sunday, November 5, 2023

Monday, November 6, 2023

Tuesday, November 7, 2023

Wednesday, November 8, 2023

Thursday, November 9, 2023

Friday, November 10, 2023

Saturday, November 11, 2023

Sunday, November 12, 2023

Monday, November 13, 2023

Tuesday, November 14, 2023

Wednesday, November 15, 2023

Thursday, November 16, 2023

Friday, November 17, 2023

Saturday, November 18, 2023

Sunday, November 19, 2023

Monday, November 20, 2023

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

Wednesday, November 29, 2023

Jr. Recital: Raul De Mesa, euphonium – 5:30 p.m.

New Music Ensemble – 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, November 30, 2023

DA Performance Recital: Nicolas Andrade, wagner tuba – 5:30 p.m.

Lots of fun and spooky things to do at Ball State this October!

Two jack'o'lanterns sitting on a black and orange table. The back one has a smiley face and one more toward the front has a scary face.

Nervous about visiting campus? Take a look at the Office of Community Engagement’s handy Getting to Campus resource for parking/public transit information!

Click the links for more information. Some events may be off-campus or have registration requirements.

Monday, October 2, 2023

School of Music: Faculty Artist Series: Peter Opie – 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, October 3, 2023

Lifelong Learners: Recycling in Muncie/ScrapCycle – 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday, October 4, 2023

EB Ball @ Westminster: I’m a Survivor: Breast Cancer Stories – 2 p.m.

Thursday, October 5, 2023

Chemistry Seminar Series – Dr. Emil Khisamutdinov (Sabbatical Talk) – 3:30 p.m.

Friday, October 6, 2023

Emens: Live from Laurel Canyon – 12 a.m.

Beginning Needlepoint Workshop – 10 a.m.

Mindfulness in the Museum – 12 p.m.

Saturday, October 7, 2023

Emens: John Mulaney and Pete Davidson – 7 p.m.

Tuesday, October 10, 2023

Lifelong Learners: 9 to 5: Notable Working Women of Muncie – 1:30 p.m.

Watercolor Collage Workshop – 6 p.m.

Pruis Hall: Stacey Kent – 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, October 12, 2023

Artist Talk: Debbie Ma – 6 p.m.

Friday, October 13, 2023

Student Recital: Ashton Shelley, tuba – 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, October 14, 2023

Honors String Orchestra with guest conductor Joel Smirnoff – 9:30 a.m.

Museum Docent Tour – 2:30 p.m.

Planetarium Show During the Partial Solar Eclipse Community Block Party – 2:30 p.m.

Sunday, October 15, 2023

Honors String Orchestra with guest conductor Joel Smirnoff – 9:30 a.m.

Monday, October 16, 2023

Music Education Day – 9 a.m.

Faculty Artist Series: Chris Van Hof – 5:30 p.m.

Guest Artist Recital: Dana Zenobi, Megan Boutin, and Li-Wen Weng – 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, October 17, 2023

Dialogue Days – 9 a.m.

Lifelong Learners: Supplement Safety – 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday, October 18, 2023

Dialogue Days – 9 a.m.

Celebrating Notable Women Founders of Altrusa International of Muncie – 6 p.m.

Thursday, October 19, 2023

Dialogue Days – 9 a.m.

Running Against the Grain: The Story of Philadelphia Eagle and Movie Star Timmy Brown – 2:30 p.m.

OcTUBAfest – 7:30 p.m.

Friday, October 20, 2023

Sample Lesson Day – 9 a.m.

Student Recital: Bradley Ziegelmaier, trombone – 5:30 p.m.

“Halloween: Celestial Origins” Planetarium Show – 6:30 p.m.

School of Music Faculty Artist Series: Anna Vayman – 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, October 21, 2023

Clarinet Day – 10 a.m.

Kids Make Art at DOMA – 1:30 p.m.

Sunday, October 22, 2023

Ball State Chamber Choir and Concert Choir – 3 p.m.

Student Recital: Stuart MacKenzie, trombone – 3 p.m.

Student Recital: Katelyn Speck, voice – 5:30 p.m.

Arts Alive: Akropolis Reed Quintet – 7:30 p.m.

Monday, October 23, 2023

CAAV Conference – 8 a.m.

Voice Studio Recital – 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, October 24, 2023

CAAV Conference – 8 a.m.

Lifelong Learners: History of the Muncie Action Plan – 1:30 p.m.

Paranormal Investigations – 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, October 25, 2023

CAAV Conference – 8 a.m.

College of Health Speaker Series October – 1 p.m.

Ball State Jazz Ensembles – Art of Jazz – 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, October 26, 2023

CAAV Conference – 8 a.m.

Entrepreneurial Experience Lecture with Rigel Jackson – 11 a.m.

Voice Studio Recital – 5:30 p.m.

Eerie Muncie: Even More Tales from the Dark Side of Local History – 6:30 p.m.

Friday, October 27, 2023

DOMA After Hours – 5 p.m.

Joint Student Recital: Andrew Huffman and Ethan Frendling, trombone – 5:30 p.m.

“Halloween: Celestial Origins” Planetarium Show – 6:30 p.m.

Ball State Wind Ensemble and Wind Symphony – 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, October 28, 2023

A Magic School Bus Halloween – 10 a.m.

Sunday, October 29, 2023

Cello Studio Recital – 11 a.m.

Guest Artist Recital: Theresa Bogard – 1 p.m.

DA Performance Recital: Sam Thompson, percussion – 3 p.m.

Tuesday, October 31, 2023

Lifelong Learners: Hidden Meanings of Gravestone Symbols Found in Beech Grove and Other Cemeteries – 1:30 p.m.

Check out a public Ball State event in September!

Nervous about visiting campus? Take a look at the Office of Community Engagement’s handy Getting to Campus resource for parking/public transit information!

Click the links for more information. Some events may be off-campus or have registration requirements.

Wednesday, September 6, 2023

EB & Bertha C. Ball Center: Beginning Genealogy: Genealogy 101 – 10 a.m.

Thursday, September 7, 2023

Miller College of Business: Entrepreneurial Experience Lecture Intrapreneurship Panel – 11 a.m.

Friday, September 8, 2023

School of Music: A Seminar Recital from the Singing Justice Team – 2 p.m.

Charles W. Brown Planetarium: “Moons: Worlds of Mystery” Planetarium Show – 6:30 p.m.

School of Music: Faculty Artist Series: Zoran Jakovcic (viola), with guests Elise DesChamps (mezzo-soprano) and Rene Lecuona (piano) – 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, September 9, 2023

Biology Field Station: Pollinator Party – 10 a.m.

Charles W. Brown Planetarium:

Monday, September 11, 2023

EB & Bertha C. Ball: The Ball Jar: Each One Tells a Story – 2 p.m.

Tuesday, September 12, 2023

Association of Lifelong Learners: Children of Presidents: a Mixed Blessing? – 1:30 p.m.

College of Sciences and Humanities: Star Party 2023 – 5 p.m.

EB & Bertha C. Ball Center: Yupo Batik Watercolor – 6 p.m.

Wednesday, September 13, 2023

EB & Bertha C. Ball Center: Beginning Genealogy: Forms and Documents – 10 a.m.

Thursday, September 14, 2023

Women’s and Gender Studies: Sharon Seager Lecture in Women’s and Gender History – 3:30 p.m.

EB & Bertha C. Ball Center: Beginning Sign Language – 7 p.m.

Theatre and Dance: Little Women – 7:30 p.m.

Friday, September 15, 2023

Charles W. Brown Planetarium: “Moons: Worlds of Mystery” Planetarium Show – 6:30 p.m.

Theatre and Dance: Little Women – 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, September 16, 2023

School of Music: Bassoon Day with Guest Artist Barrick Stees – 10 a.m.

Charles W. Brown Planetarium:

Theatre and Dance: Little Women – 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, September 17, 2023

Theatre and Dance: Little Women – 2:30 p.m.

Monday, September 18, 2023

Office of Community Engagement & Charles W. Brown Planetarium: Eclipse 2024: Experience the Magic in Muncie – 2 p.m.

Tuesday, September 19, 2023

Inclusive Excellence: State of Inclusive Excellence Address – 2 p.m.

Brown Family Amphitheater Grand Opening and Free Jazz Concert – 6 p.m.

Wednesday, September 20, 2023

School of Music: Faculty Sabbatical Presentation: Mei Zhong (voice) and James Helton (piano) – 3 p.m.

Theatre and Dance: Little Women – 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, September 21, 2023

Pruis Hall: Ryanhood – 7:30 p.m.

Ball State Symphony Orchestra – 7:30 p.m.

Theatre and Dance: Little Women – 7:30 p.m.

Washington Street Bridge Dinner – 5:30 p.m.

Friday, September 22, 2023

EB & Bertha C. Ball Center: Introduction to Grant Writing – 9 a.m.

Theatre and Dance: Little Women – 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, September 23, 2023

School of Music:

Theatre and Dance: Little Women – 7:30 p.m.

Monday, September 25, 2023

School of Music: EM | One – 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, September 26, 2023

Association of Lifelong Learners: Growing Up in the Sixties – 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

EB & Bertha C. Ball Center: Beginning Genealogy: Software and Free Websites – 10 a.m.

School of Music: Ball State Jazz Ensembles – 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, September 28, 2023

Miller College of Business: Entrepreneurial Experience Lecture with Ted Baker – 11 a.m.

University Libraries: Reel Inclusion: Fruits of Labor – 5:30 p.m.

Friday, September 29, 2023

College of Health – Speaker Series September – 1 p.m.

Charles W. Brown Planetarium: “Moons: Worlds of Mystery” Planetarium Show – 6:30 p.m.

Ball State Bands: Ball State Wind Ensemble and Wind Symphony – 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, September 30, 2023

Charles W. Brown Planetarium:

Human Rights Symposium

Created in 1964, the Muncie Human Rights Commission studies problems related to discrimination in the city and advocates for quality in education, employment, youth recreation, and housing regardless of race, color, creed, or nationality. Students in this immersive project worked with the Human Rights Commission and other local institutions to develop, administer, and evaluate a Human Rights Symposium for the Muncie community. The purpose of the meeting was to increase awareness for residents’ human rights and the City of Muncie Human Rights Commission’s mission, services, and the process for filing and investigating complaints.


Faculty Mentor: Ruby Cain
Department: Educational Studies
Community Partners: City of Muncie Human Rights Commission, Industry Neighborhood Association, Whitely Community Council, Muncie Public Library, Muncie Housing Authority, It Is Well With My Soul, DePaul University School of New Learning and Service Engagement Projects, Northeast Indiana Workers Project, Inc.
Student Team:Karen Lloyd; Christina Martzall; Althea McWilliams; Taylor Mullins, Dewayne Richmond; Jenny Schultz; Alex Stoltie; Christinia Scott; and Danielle Vorhees

Cultural Identities and Community Engagement

In this project, students explored the intersectionality of cultural identities, history and impact of structural racism, positionality of race, and strategies for promoting inclusion and civic engagement through family and history research, presentations, oral storytelling, and the development of traveling exhibits. Students worked along with community members to develop and administer Talking Race Human Library in Muncie, Fort Wayne, South Bend, and Indianapolis, using the book, Facing Racism, as a resource. The course is designed as an interactive seminar to foster student discussion, discover family histories, and promote community involvement. The course is constructed from curriculum developed in the community program; It is Well With My Soul.


Faculty Mentor: Ruby Cain
Department: Educational Studies
Community Partners: Human Library Fort Wayne, Muncie Public Library, Purdue University Fort Wayne, It Is Well With My Soul, Whitely Community Council, Industry Neighborhood, Fort Wayne Urban League
Students: Adriana Arthur, Molly Boso, Vashon Broadnax,
Kara Duquette, Kizmin Jones, Lamaiya Lancaster, Alexis McKenzie, Ellen Sauer, Audrey Whitson