Communications Center

Minnetrista has been named the 2020 Ball State Community Partner of the Year for collaborating with college students on an award-winning educational video game project.

The annual award recognizes a Delaware County business, organization, or agency that demonstrates excellence as part of a Ball State community-based learning experience during the previous year. Partners are nominated by Ball State faculty and staff. Past winners include the Youth Opportunity Center (2018) and the Islamic Center (2019). Read about all three winners on the Office of Community Engagement website.

Delaina Boyd, the University’s associate vice president for community engagement, presented the award on October 28 to Minnetrista’s Betty Brewer, president and chief executive officer, and George Buss, vice president of visitor experience.

“We are deeply grateful for all of the years that Minnetrista has welcomed Ball State as a partner and collaborator,” Boyd said. “We look forward to many more.”

Minnetrista earned the award for a two-semester partnership with Paul Gestwicki, a computer science professor, and his classes on game design and software production.

The class explored the fundamentals of educational game design, proposed game concepts linked to the Oakhurst home renovation. It developed an original educational video game, Canning Heroes, which is installed at Minnetrista.

“Mr. Buss invested enormous personal and professional effort to help this project succeed,” said Gestwicki, who nominated Minnetrista for the award. “Through him, the students gained an appreciation for the history of the Ball family, Ball State, and Muncie. Indeed, many students who are not from the area came to love our community through this experience.”