Ball State University to Celebrate Expansion of Edmund F. and Virginia B. Ball Honors House with Sept. 26 Ribbon-Cutting

Topics: Academic Programs, Alumni, Giving, Honors College, Muncie, President

September 17, 2025

Ball State University will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly expanded Edmund F. and Virginia B. Ball Honors House at 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26, at 1707 W. Riverside Ave. in Muncie. A reception and self-guided tours will follow the ceremony, which is free and open to the public.

The expansion and renovation enhance the home of the Honors College with new and updated learning and gathering spaces. The project adds 1,750 square feet of new educational areas and renovates 840 square feet of existing space, including a modern classroom, three faculty offices, and a student collaboration area featuring comfortable seating, a built-in display case, and a donor recognition wall. Outdoor improvements include a redesigned gathering space with a paved labyrinth and garden, providing a tranquil setting for reflection and programming.

This project was made possible through the generosity of more than 30 donors. The principal donors are Rich and Linda Berthy, whose $1 million gift supported the expansion and established the new Charles J. and Erika A. Berthy Wing-named in honor of Rich's parents. Rich Berthy, chairman and CEO of Big Sky Trust Company and founder and former CEO of Foreside Financial Group, LLC, and his wife also fund scholarships for Honors College students. Their daughter, April Domet, is a past Whitinger Scholar and 2002 Ball State graduate.

"I am grateful to all of the donors to this project, especially Rich and Linda, for making this expansion possible," said Ball State President Geoffrey S. Mearns. "The enhanced Ball Honors House strengthens our University's mission to provide our students with fulfilling careers and meaningful lives. These modernized spaces will foster collaboration, inspire creativity, and deepen connections among students, faculty, and the broader community."

Building on years of steady growth, the Honors College welcomed about 620 new freshmen this Fall. Overall enrollment has now surpassed 1,600 students-the highest in its history. The Ball Honors House also houses the Virginia B. Ball Center for Creative Inquiry and the Office of Nationally Competitive Scholarships, which provide opportunities to students and alumni across disciplines.

"With more students and programs than ever before, this expansion was essential to meet the needs of our growing honors community," said Honors College Dean Dr. Jim Buss. "The additional classrooms, offices, and collaboration spaces provide the environment our students deserve to pursue academic excellence and innovative research. We are grateful to our alumni, friends, and donors who supported this vision."

The two-story structure at 1707 W. Riverside Ave. was the longtime residence of Edmund F. and Virginia B. Ball. The stately Colonial home, known for its gracious center hall, white spindle stairway, and arched doorways, was the site of many gatherings hosted by the Ball family. In 2009, following a $1.3 million renovation supported in part by the Edmund & Virginia Ball Foundation, the residence was transformed into the headquarters of Ball State's Honors College, preserving much of its original architectural character while adapting it for academic and student use.

Edmund Ferdinand Ball (1905-2000), eldest son of Edmund Burke Ball-one of the five Ball brothers who founded Ball State University in 1918-was deeply committed to philanthropy. He led the Edmund & Virginia Ball Foundation and supported many initiatives, including arts, education, and public broadcasting. Virginia Beall Ball (1919-2003) shared her husband's passion for giving. A civic leader, aviator, rancher, and patron of the arts, she founded the Virginia B. Ball Center for Creative Inquiry at Ball State and was a strong advocate for education and the environment. The Honors House bears their names in recognition of their enduring contributions to the University and the community.

Visitor parking for the ribbon-cutting will be available in the McKinley Avenue Parking Garage. Attendees are encouraged to RSVP to the Office of the President at [email protected].