Join us to celebrate the prolific career of Dr. Wes Gehring, George and Francis Ball Distinguished Professor of Media, who retired from the Department of Media in Spring 2026 after 48 years of service. His retirement reception will be held Thursday, October 15 from 3:00 - 5:30 p.m. in the Letterman Building lobby. Light refreshments will be served; no RSVP needed.
Over the course of his career Wes has written 44 books, worked as the media editor for USA Today Magazine, served as an on-air scholar for Turner Classic Movies, and spoken at the Museum of Modern Art and the University of Paris. Ball State honored Wes four times: an Outstanding Young Faculty Award, the Outstanding Researcher Award, and two Distinguished Researcher Awards. Wes’ career advanced the field of film and media studies not only through his scholarship, but also his teaching and mentorship. Wes is currently writing his 45th book, a collection of essays examining the work of Charlie Chaplin.
Share your congratulations, well wishes, or memories here. We’ll collect your messages and share them with Wes at his reception.