By Ball State University Communications—
MUNCIE, IN — Ball State University Libraries will continue celebrating the 50th anniversary of Bracken Library with two community events in November highlighting both the Bracken family’s lasting legacy and the influential career of Professor Steve Bell.
The first event explores the Bracken family’s connection to Civil War history, while the second honors the life and lessons of a journalist-turned-educator whose work shaped generations of Ball State students.
“Bracken Library has served as a cornerstone of learning, community, and connection for half a century,” said Nick Havranek, engagement strategies coordinator for University Libraries. “As we celebrate this milestone, these programs invite our campus and community to explore the stories behind two legacies that helped shape Ball State—the Bracken family’s enduring commitment to education and preservation, and Steve Bell’s dedication to truth and teaching.”
Civil War and the Bracken Family
Thursday, Nov. 6 | 6–7 p.m. | Bracken Library | Wine and appetizers will be served
Guests will learn about Delaware County’s role in the Civil War through reenactment and storytelling—and discover the Bracken family’s unique connection to that history. Frank A. Bracken, the grandson of Frank C. Ball, one of the University’s founders, was a longtime University trustee and namesake of Bracken Library. A passionate Civil War historian, collector, and preservationist, he assembled an extensive personal collection of Civil War books, photographs, and artifacts through years of research, battlefield preservation, and reenactments. Many of those items are now part of the Frank A. Bracken Civil War Collection housed within Bracken Library.
From the Newsroom to the Classroom: The Life and Lessons of Professor Steve Bell
Thursday, Nov. 14 | 3–4 p.m. | Bracken Library, Room 210 | Refreshments will be provided
University Libraries will host a ceremony honoring the life and career of the late Steve Bell—award-winning journalist, longtime Ball State telecommunications professor, and former Edmund F. and Virginia B. Ball Chair in Telecommunications. The event celebrates the opening of From the Newsroom to the Classroom: The Life and Lessons of Professor Steve Bell, a new Archives and Special Collections exhibit curated by Mr. Bell’s granddaughter, Samantha Politinsky. The exhibit traces Mr. Bell’s journey from small-town Iowa athlete to national network correspondent covering some of the most defining events in modern American history—including the Vietnam War and the civil rights movement—and later as a beloved educator who inspired generations of student journalists. The exhibit will be on display outside of the Archives and Special Collections on the second floor of Bracken Library until June 30, 2026.
To learn more about these events and other programs planned in celebration of Bracken Library’s 50th anniversary, visit bsu.edu/libraries.
About Ball State
Founded in 1918 and located in Muncie, Ball State University is one of Indiana’s premier universities and an economic driver for the state. Ball State’s 20,000 students come from all over Indiana, the nation, and the world. The 790-acre campus is large enough to accommodate first-rate facilities and 19 NCAA Division I sports, but our welcoming campus is small enough to ensure the friendliness, personal attention, and access that are the hallmarks of the University. We Fly!
