Although programs have been offered in the center since May, the grand opening will showcase all of the work that has transformed the downtown Indianapolis office space on South Meridian Street into a high-tech, interactive education, research, information and outreach center.

Ball State President Jo Ann M. Gora noted the tremendous efforts of the university employees who have prepared the new center for the grand opening.

"I congratulate the members of the university community who came together to design, furnish and to provide content and programs for the Indianapolis Center," she said. "The result is a state-of-the-art experience demonstrating the excellence that results from collaborative efforts."

Located at 50 S. Meridian St., the Indianapolis Center offers educational opportunities for working professionals and provides key resources for Indianapolis and state leaders promoting job growth and economic and quality-of-life development initiatives, she said.

Gora, Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson and Tamara Zahn, president of Indianapolis Downtown Inc., will speak during a brief ceremony hosted by Gerry Dick, president and managing editor of Grow Indiana Media Ventures and the creator/host of Inside Indiana Business.

Afterwards, a brief multimedia presentation will mark the center's official opening. A reception and tours will follow.

The first floor includes interactive kiosks that allow visitors to explore the digital films, art and animation being created at Ball State, search for information about the university's programs and learn about Ball State's ongoing quality-of-life development efforts in Indianapolis.

A bookstore for the American Institute of Architects (AIA) will also be housed on the first floor.

The lower level includes a research hub for the Center for Media Design (CMD), in which companies can partner with Ball State on marketing and research.

Ball State's College of Architecture and Planning: Indianapolis Center (CAP:IC) also will be located on site, allowing the university to continue its award-winning work on Indianapolis' urban planning and design projects. CAP:IC previously operated a center on West Washington Street.

The second and third floors are a combination of office space and classrooms where individuals can take master's degree courses in business administration, urban design, special education, educational administration and supervision, public relations and executive development for public service. AIA's Indiana office also is on the third floor.

The grand opening is by invitation only, but the center is open to the public beginning Nov. 30.