David Letterman Building Dedicated at Ball State University

Muncie, Indiana – September 7, 2007 Less than thirty minutes after David Letterman left the platform outside the newly dedicated building bearing his name, the skies over Muncie opened up, blanketing the area with heavy rains and high winds. Most of the crowd – estimated at more than five thousand – had time to clear the open lawn where they had gathered, but those who had remained to listen to the Ball State Marching Band’s special post-ceremony performance were caught in the downpour. The weather had threatened to mar the celebration all afternoon. When the University’s president, Jo Ann Gora, took to the microphone – the third speaker of the day – she acknowledged the threatening skies and promised to shorten her remarks. Skipping the more lengthy intro she had planned, President Gora introduced to the crowd the man they had all come to see. Letterman, in typical style, used the weather to his advantage. “I will not eliminate my comments,” he said as he stepped up to the mic amid a thunderous ovation. “Screw the weather.”

David Letterman, Dorothy, and President Gora enjoy the ceremony. Photo by Eric Wyatt, 2007 image:33591:0::0

Shortly after, a brief spattering of rain prompted him to turn to President Gora and ask, “What are the chances of electrocution?” Letterman alternated between the humorous and serious in his remarks, taking the less-frivolous moments to express the legitimate honor he felt at having his alma mater name their newest building after him. He joked that if he had known one day he would find himself in such a position that he “would have studied harder”, and then went on to describe the meaning the day held for his family. “In 1973, my father died,” he told the crowd. “He would have loved this. It would have been the most exciting day of his life. I hope to God – and I mean that literally – that wherever he is, he’s able to look down and enjoy this day.” The host of The Late Show with David Letterman and principle owner of the production company World Wide Pants – which produces not only Letterman’s own show, but other television staples including Everybody Loves Raymond – was joined by his mother on stage while his family was seated in the crowd. He thanked his mother, Dorothy, by first saying he was surprised she was there because, “She’s usually home watching Oprah.” He then went on to tell a story about how Dorothy had encouraged him to consider trade school after a less-than-stellar academic career at Broad Ripple High School in Indianapolis. Dorothy’s reasoning was that at least her son would have some skill which would allow him to make a living. Turning toward her, he quipped, “I think we’re going to be OK, mom.”

David Letterman and his Mother, Dorothy, cut the ribbon at the building dedication. Photo by Eric Wyatt, 2007 image:33593:0::0

Letterman was never successful in the area of academics. In High School he was relatively shy and introverted, and utterly uninterested in the subject matter being taught. He eventually realized where his interests rested – in radio and television broadcasting – and applied to Ball State University, where he was accepted into the Radio and Television program in 1965. Even though he found that university life offered him more interesting subject material (and provided an outlet for his humor), he struggled to maintain what he terms an “ugly 2.0 average.” But even with average grades, Letterman’s professors and mentors at Ball State saw in him a talent that transcended academics. He possessed a wit, intelligence, and unique irreverence which pointed toward greatness. One of those mentors – Darrell Wibel – was in attendance and drew special recognition from Letterman. “I couldn’t have made it with out you,” he said, as he asked the crowd to show appreciation to his former teacher. Letterman’s broadcasting career began on the university’s campus, under the instruction of Ball State’s communications department. He began working as the “fill in guy” at various Indianapolis television stations even before he graduated in 1969. After brief stints in various Indiana media markets – including some of the more unique weather reports ever aired – Letterman left for California in 1975 which led him to the stage of the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and eventually into his own late night show, first with NBC and later with CBS. Even in his success, Letterman has maintained ties with his Indiana roots, and has encouraged those who aren’t academically successful to reach for their dreams anyway. He addressed the “C-students” in the crowd – which, judging by the lively applause at their mention, was a large contingent of the students gathered there – by saying, “If reasonable people can see fit to put my name on a $21-million building, anything is possible.” The building which now bears Letterman’s name is a state-of-the art, 75,000 foot facility which pushes Ball State to the forefront of broadcast and communications education. The production technology in the building makes it among the finest facilities outside of New York, Los Angeles, or Nashville. “The future of Media is in this building,” Letterman told the crowd. The David Letterman Communication and Media Building – which has been open to students since the start of Fall Semester – houses video and audio production technologies which are a drastic improvement over the over-crowded former facilities. The building also serves as the studio home for the campus radio station WCRD – Cardinal Radio Dave – which Letterman was instrumental in starting in the mid-80s and the East Central Indiana PBS affiliate. Proponents of the University’s program say that the new facilities at Ball State will allow the university students and faculty to be among the leaders in defining the emerging media landscape as our broader culture wrestles with the tension between traditional (Old Media) outlets and the emerging new media technologies. In naming the building after their most famous alum, Ball State is recognizing Letterman’s leadership in entertainment broadcasting and his continued dedication to his alma mater, as well as acknowledging his interest in the future of media.

Ball State University President Jo Ann Gora presents David Letterman with the Sagamore of the Wabash award. Photo by Eric Wyatt, 2007 image:33592:0::0

After Letterman read the Top Ten Best Things About Having a Building Named After You (Number two: It’s cool to hear the exterminator say, “Letterman’s crawling with rats!”), President Gora surprised Letterman with a Sagamore of the Wabash award given by Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels. The award is a high honor that the Governor of Indiana can give to individuals who have given of themselves on behalf of others. The Governor cited Letterman’s monumental success in television, his continual support of Ball State University through monetary gifts and sponsorship of several annual scholarships, and the many other ways he has been influential in the state as reasons for granting the Sagamore honor.