Thursday, September 17, 2026
9 a.m.
![Painting of a theater with audience seats and a stage showing a screen; the screen displays desert hills and two raised arms. The vibrant colors show green in the foreground, red on the sides and a blue seating area.]](/-/media/www/departmentalcontent/artmuseum/images/exhibitions/petry.png?h=1260&iar=0&w=1300&sc_lang=en&hash=7EBF78FD5A9520044E4D0BB3D7A9FB145154674B)
"Jan Petry's Gift: Outsider and Folk Art in the Museum" is on view at DOMA September 17 through December 18, 2026.
9 a.m.
September 17th is Constitution Day, the 238th birthday of the signing of the United States landmark founding document! Celebrate in Bracken Library Room 215 and take home a pocket Constitution book, read a facsimile of the original handwritten document, test your constitution trivia smarts, do Constitution crosswords, and use a calligraphy pen to practice writing like the Founding Fathers. Be sure to leave a personal message about what our Constitutional freedoms mean to you!
10 a.m.
The School of Art invites the public to attend The Beginnings 2026 exhibition! September 4 – October 9, view student artwork completed in the past academic year in School of Art First-Year Foundations courses. Join us for the reception and awards ceremony during BSU Family Weekend, Friday, September 11 from 4 to 6 p.m. Free and open to the public.
12 p.m.
In July of 2016, the Archives and Special Collections received a donation of The Star Press's archives. Consisting of 273 boxes and 95 file cabinet drawers, the collection is an expansive testament to the Star Press's history of local, national, and international news coverage. The collection has been a large factor in numerous research projects focusing on Muncie history, proving to be an integral piece of the Archives and Special Collections holdings. In this Lunch and Learn, we will discuss the history of the Star Press, the donation and processing of the collection, and unique uses of the collection in local history research.This event is a part of University Libraries' Virtual Lunch and Learn Series.
1 p.m.
*If you need any accommodations to participate in this session, please contact learndev@bsu.edu*Learn Ball State's trademark guidelines, logo standards, swag approval process, and best practices for branded merchandise.
2 p.m.
Join Kyla McKillip and Charity Coffman for a half hour of networking and discussion of hot topic items for Admin Coordinators at Ball State.
2 p.m.
Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom in the Learning Environment - Presented by Ms. Kevonna Tyler and Dr. Stephanie Simon-Dack Fall 2026 | 90-minute presentation in-person [90 minutes total] | This in-person, 90-minute presentation explores how freedom of expression and academic freedom are foundational in shaping the way ideas are shared, challenged, and developed in higher education classrooms. Participants will learn about the principles and limits of free expression in the learning environment, how to foster inclusive dialogue, and balance the rights and responsibilities that come with freedom of expression in academic settings.
3:30 p.m.
From Radicals to Redox: How Proteins Control Reactive Chemistry
5 p.m.
Join us for the Benny Buddies Welcome Dinner!
7:30 p.m.
The Ball State Symphony Orchestra is a flagship ensemble of the School of Music that performs orchestral music from a wide variety of backgrounds and time periods. Program to include music from Callirhoé by Cécile Chaminade, the film score from "Spirited Away" by Joe Hisashi, and the Firebird Suite by Igor Stravinsky. Tickets available for purchase through the College of Fine Arts Box Office.
7:30 p.m.
The Fantasticks, the longest-running musical of all time, is a timeless and bittersweet fable of young love, heartbreak, and discovery told with breathtaking poetry, gentle humor, and theatrical simplicity. Tickets available through the College of Fine Arts Box Office.