In 2026, the U.S. will celebrate its semiquincentennial. Many states, municipalities, and communities —including Indiana —will commemorate our national history through the venerable traditions of fireworks, parades, and marching bands and a look back to 1776. However, Ball State has the opportunity to critically explore Indiana’s own 250-year history by using its physical and intellectual resources and connections across the state to continue its role in education and civic engagement, and you can join in working to capture, reveal, and archive the sentiments of a pivotal moment in U.S. history through coursework, faculty and student research, and community service throughout 2026.
Any tenure-line, contract, or adjunct faculty member teaching a course, conducting university-based scholarship, or engaging in community service projects at Ball State University during the 2026 calendar year is invited to submit a proposal for funding to create a course, research, or community service project connected to the semiquincentennial — deep inquiry into Indiana's complicated history on the national stage and complexity of the current political moment is encouraged.
Read this document for more information and contact Kevin Moloney, Associate Professor in the Center for Emerging Media Design and Development, (ktmoloney@bsu.edu) with any questions.