It serves local, regional, and national communities by disseminating information about research on the community. Professor Geelhoed is the director of the research portion of the center and John Straw is the Archives and Special Collections Librarian in Bracken Library where the materials gathered for the center reside. The Archives and Special Collections welcomes contributions of materials such as photographs, maps, personal and family papers, records of business, labor and organizations. The Ball State University History Club is a social and academic organization that promotes the study of mankind's historical experience. It encourages formal and informal exchange between students and faculty through receptions, guest speakers, and student forums.
Membership is open to all interested students.
The society promotes the study of history through the encouragement of research, teaching, publication, and the exchange of learning and thought among historians. Pi Gamma Mu is the leading honor society which encourages excellence in the social sciences. Faculty and administrators may also accept the privileges and responsibilities of membership in a college chapter. The society not only provides recognition for scholastic achievements, but also offers enrichment opportunities through service projects, publications, scholarships, and lectureship grants. The Social Studies Materials Center, located in Burkhardt Building Room 222, has extensive holdings of curriculum materials for use by Ball State pre-service teachers enrolled in social studies education courses.