Tiara Thomas, a 2012 Ball State University alumnus and Grammy and Oscar award-winning singer-songwriter, was the Fall 2022 guest in the David Letterman Distinguished Professional Lecture.

Ms. Thomas received her first Grammy prize in March 2021 for co-writing the 2020 Song of the Year, "I Can't Breathe," alongside singer-songwriter H.E.R. Another song co-written by Ms. Thomas and H.E.R., "Fight for You," received the Academy Award for Best Original Song the following month.

Ms. Thomas collaborated with students from the College of Communication, Information, and Media (CCIM) and the College of Fine Arts to develop, record, and document creative musical productions during her visit to Ball State's campus.