Teacher Amanda Thorner is seen in her third-grade classroom at Noble Crossing Elementary School.

Amanda Thorner and a colleague led the district’s first classroom that blends special education students full time with their typical peers.

Several students are seen working during Phonathon last fall.

Fundraising calls that generate hundreds of thousands of dollars a year for the university also stir conversations about a shared love of Ball State.

Julia Woodworth Gillespie stands outside Woodworth Complex with her daughter Sara Cina.

Julia Woodworth Gillespie, wondering what had become of her family name, finds it carved into stone outside Woodworth Complex, which is named for her aunt.

Graduate students Bonnie Greene, Davonte Longmire and Yuanwei Lyu take part in Thank a Donor Day.

Students write thank you cards to alumni and other friends of Ball State who help make their education — and many other initiatives — possible.

Alumnus and former Indiana Pacers vice president Greg Schenkel stands in the atrium of Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

The 1970 Ball State grad, who’ll be honored at an Oct. 21 alumni recognition dinner, planted seeds during college that yielded a successful public affairs career.

Ball State alumnus James Webb strums his guitar in the Brown Planetarium.

Before the Ball State alum’s Sept. 4 concert at Brown Planetarium, Florida International physics prof James Webb discusses the harmony of music and science.

Katie Hargitt performs duties as an IndyCar reporter for NBC Sports.

Katie Hargitt, who grew up racing and hearing the Indy 500 from her house, found the tools to be a successful reporter on pit road.