More Than a Bridge; Rediscovering a Story

Nearly 50 years after attending Ball State University and jumpstarting his professional career, David Letterman would retire from his days on late-night television in 2015. Alongside his retirement were many of the set pieces and props that audiences from around the world have come to recognize.

While a majority of the pieces were discarded and kissed-goodbye, one piece escaped the purge and found it’s home here at Ball State University, joining the memorabilia collection donated by Letterman in 2015. The iconic Washington bridge replica arrived at Ball State Spring semester of the 2018-19 school year and was welcomed onto the David Letterman Learning Experience project with open arms. Since its arrival, the bridge has seen much admiration and care from students of the DLLE.

On April 13, 2019, students treated the bridge to its a total revival and restoration, wiping away dust and dirt, and sanding its edges until smooth. Legs speckled with a fresh coat of paint and tightening of its loose bones with new nails, the bridge now gleams like never before.

Graduate student Rebecca Rudolph said the act of restoration is important to the project team’s storytelling project. “One might say that this is just a bridge from a dumpster. But when I look at this item, I see all the opportunities to uncover its story. And by restoring the bridge, we are given the chance to enhance our ability to tell its story in new and exciting ways.”

We expect the bridge will make its debut during finals week in the Letterman Lobby alongside the two student-created pop-up exhibitions. This will provide students and the Ball State community outside of the project the opportunity to explore not only parts of the memorabilia collection but also the hard work and dedication of the students who have built the DLLE to what is today.

Story by Abby Hines.

A Day at the Statehouse

With their cardinal-red blazers and iron-pressed pant suits, students from the David Letterman Learning Experience filed into the Indiana Statehouse for Ball State Day at the Statehouse. During this event, students had the opportunity to show senators and representatives components of the DLLE project.The showcase included the four iPad experiences and Learning With Dave on the touch table. Students used this opportunity to communicate what they  learned and accomplished throughout the previous year as part of the DLLE. On more than one occasion, visitors beamed as they tapped through the interactive experiences pertaining to David Letterman’s life. As one woman scrolled through an iPad experience, she laughed to herself and said, “ Man, I remember sneaking into the living room on school nights just to watch a few minutes of Dave. He didn’t have the beard then.”

 

This woman’s shared memory, however small or silly, reflects and communicates how technology, art, and storytelling prompt connection and meaning– the foundations of the David Letterman Learning Experience.

Story by Melodie Griffin.

Interviewing ESPN Reporter Holly Rowe

This October, ESPN reporter Holly Rowe visited Ball State’s campus as a member of the David Letterman Speaker Series. During the afternoon, a few students had the privilege of interviewing Holly for the Learning With Dave interactive video series. I was among those lucky students

My interview with Rowe was groundbreaking in my little world. Though she uncovered many wonderful tricks of the trade of telecommunication and journalism, I found myself more enamoured with the strength, wisdom, and endurance Rowe gifted her audience.

For many young adults, Holly Rowe is an inspiration due to her ability to push boundaries and overcome obstacles. One of her biggest obstacles was cancer. Holly has dealt with cancer more than once in her lifetime, but she adds that even cancer didn’t get in the way of her dreams and passions.

Holly believes everyone should have more “go get it” attitude. She argues that nothing wonderful will be easily handed over. Everything worth something should be chased, and nothing, not even cancer, should hold you back from what you love. Rowe directed each student to focus on  something in their life that they are so passionate about, no obstacle could distract them from completing it. For her, that was sports reporting. During treatment and bouts of lows, Holly says she was so immersed in sports reporting that her other problems weren’t relevant.

In a  2017 Saturday Down South article, Rowe says “I don’t think about having cancer when I’m out here. Monday, I have a CAT scan and have treatment. I’ll be a cancer patient on Monday. I’m not thinking about it today.” During our interview, she voiced that same drive.

Moral of the story? Discover your passion and pursue it. There are no excuses.

Story by Melodie Griffin.

Dave’s Most Recent Trip to Campus

One tweet in the early afternoon of May 2 alerted residents of Muncie that Ball State University’s most famous alum, David Letterman was in town.

From a conference room on Ball State’s campus, a team of EMDD students watched as the news spread across social media. The buzz served as a welcome distraction from the anxiety and nerves that had been building as students of the project prepared for their highest-profile audience yet. On that seemingly normal Wednesday during finals week, the team of EMDD students would not only get the opportunity to meet David Letterman but also present their ideas for how the university could use the materials and items Letterman provided to Ball State to create an ongoing immersive learning experience.

“The students received Mr. Letterman’s positive feedback, and they will continue to refine and develop their concepts,” Kathy Wolf, VP of marketing and communications, said in a statement to the press.   

Check out a gallery of photos from Letterman’s visit by The Star Press and visit the original article at the Center for Emerging Media Design & Development website.

Story by Abby Hines.