With their cardinal-red blazers and iron-pressed pant suits, students from the David Letterman Learning Experience filed into the Indiana Statehouse for Ball State Day at the Statehouse. During this event, students had the opportunity to show senators and representatives components of the DLLE project.The showcase included the four iPad experiences and Learning With Dave on the touch table. Students used this opportunity to communicate what they  learned and accomplished throughout the previous year as part of the DLLE. On more than one occasion, visitors beamed as they tapped through the interactive experiences pertaining to David Letterman’s life. As one woman scrolled through an iPad experience, she laughed to herself and said, “ Man, I remember sneaking into the living room on school nights just to watch a few minutes of Dave. He didn’t have the beard then.”

This woman’s shared memory, however small or silly, reflects and communicates how technology, art, and storytelling prompt connection and meaning– the foundations of the David Letterman Learning Experience.

Story by Melodie Griffin.

This October, ESPN reporter Holly Rowe visited Ball State’s campus as a member of the David Letterman Speaker Series. During the afternoon, a few students had the privilege of interviewing Holly for the Learning With Dave interactive video series. I was among those lucky students

My interview with Rowe was groundbreaking in my little world. Though she uncovered many wonderful tricks of the trade of telecommunication and journalism, I found myself more enamoured with the strength, wisdom, and endurance Rowe gifted her audience.

For many young adults, Holly Rowe is an inspiration due to her ability to push boundaries and overcome obstacles. One of her biggest obstacles was cancer. Holly has dealt with cancer more than once in her lifetime, but she adds that even cancer didn’t get in the way of her dreams and passions.

Holly believes everyone should have more “go get it” attitude. She argues that nothing wonderful will be easily handed over. Everything worth something should be chased, and nothing, not even cancer, should hold you back from what you love. Rowe directed each student to focus on  something in their life that they are so passionate about, no obstacle could distract them from completing it. For her, that was sports reporting. During treatment and bouts of lows, Holly says she was so immersed in sports reporting that her other problems weren’t relevant.

In a  2017 Saturday Down South article, Rowe says “I don’t think about having cancer when I’m out here. Monday, I have a CAT scan and have treatment. I’ll be a cancer patient on Monday. I’m not thinking about it today.” During our interview, she voiced that same drive.

Moral of the story? Discover your passion and pursue it. There are no excuses.

Story by Melodie Griffin.

One tweet in the early afternoon of May 2 alerted residents of Muncie that Ball State University’s most famous alum, David Letterman was in town.

From a conference room on Ball State’s campus, a team of EMDD students watched as the news spread across social media. The buzz served as a welcome distraction from the anxiety and nerves that had been building as students of the project prepared for their highest-profile audience yet. On that seemingly normal Wednesday during finals week, the team of EMDD students would not only get the opportunity to meet David Letterman but also present their ideas for how the university could use the materials and items Letterman provided to Ball State to create an ongoing immersive learning experience.

“The students received Mr. Letterman’s positive feedback, and they will continue to refine and develop their concepts,” Kathy Wolf, VP of marketing and communications, said in a statement to the press.   

Check out a gallery of photos from Letterman’s visit by The Star Press and visit the original article at the Center for Emerging Media Design & Development website.

Story by Abby Hines.