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JESSICA BERGFORS, DN ILLUSTRATION. THIS DESIGN WAS CREATED USING ASSETS FROM FREEPIK.COM.
DAILY NEWS
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ISABELLA KEMPER, DN
Voting centers arrive The centers will arrive in Delaware County just in time for the May primary in 2026. 04
Christy Woods Due to the unsafe conditions of the old greenhouse, the woods will being seeing some changes.06
BALL STATE UNIVERSITY, PHOTO PROVIDED
DNSports Men’s golf The program aims to continue its history of success. 08
DNOpinion Identity Blending Romantic relationships can lead to you losing yourself and your friendships. 13
10.09.2025
Lily Ellis sets up to draw portraits Sept. 20 in North Dining. Ellis is a first-year undergraduate at Ball State University, majoring in both literature and history. ISABELLA KEMPER, DN
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BallStateDailyNews.com
Chicago, Illinois Sue Over National Guard Deployment
The Ball State Daily News (USPS-144-360), the Ball State student newspaper, is published Thursdays during the academic year except for during semester and summer breaks. The Daily News is supported in part by an allocation from the General Fund of the university and is available free to students at various campus locations.
VOL. 105 ISSUE:09 CONTACT THE DN Newsroom: 765-285-8245 Editor: 765-285-8249, editor@bsudailynews.com EDITORIAL BOARD Meghan Braddy, Editor-in-chief Andrew Berger, Digital Managing Editor Shelby Anderson, News Editor Linnea Sundquist, Associate News Editor Kyle Stout, Sports Editor Trinity Rea, Associate Sports Editor Katherine Hill, Lifestyles Editor, Jayden Vaughn, Opinion Editor Charlotte Jons, Associate Opinion Editor Channing Matha, Copy Editor Isabella Kemper, Multimedia Editor Jessica Bergfors, Visual Editor Brenden Rowan, Social Media Editor Corey Ohlenkamp, Adviser
Oct. 6: The city of Chicago and the state of Illinois sued President
Donald Trump’s administration Oct. 5 to block the deployment of Illinois and Texas National Guard troops, according to Tribune News Service. The White House claims this is necessary to “protect” federal immigration personnel and facilities amid deportation actions, according to TNS. The legal action was filed in federal court in Chicago, according to TNS, which comes as Trump has federalized around 300 Illinois Guard members over the objections from Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
TO ADVERTISE • (765) 285-8256 or dailynewsads@bsu.edu • Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon-Fri. • ballstatedaily.com/advertise TO SUBSCRIBE Call 765-285-8134 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Mon. -Fri. Subscription rates: $45 for one year. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Daily News, AJ278, Ball State University, Muncie, IN 47306
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Trump faces potential $165B bill if tariffs overturned Oct. 6: President Donald Trump has warned of “disaster,” according to
Tribune News Service (TNS), if the Supreme Court overturns his signature tariffs. According to TNS, if President Trump’s country-based tariffs are deemed illegal, the U.S. could owe $165 billion in customs duties back to the companies that paid them this fiscal year. Refunds are typically issued slowly through paper checks, and the administration could start the process to repay the funds, but experts say that’s unlikely, according to TNS. Trump will likely not part with the funds easily if the tariffs are struck down, according to TNS.
CORRECTION The Ball State Daily News is committed to providing accurate news to the community. In the event we need to correct inaccurate information, you will find that printed here.
NICK WAGNER/THE SEATTLE TIMES/TNS
To submit a correction, email editor@bsudailynews.com.
Ball State football defeats Ohio in MAC opener
4-DAY WEATHER
Oct.4: The Cardinals improved their home record to 2-0 Oct. 4 when they defeated the Ohio Bobcats 20-14. Ball State is now undefeated in conference play with a 1-0 record. The Cardinals trailed by two touchdowns for most of the game but stormed back late, scoring 20 unanswered points for the victory. Redshirt senior quarterback Kiael Kelly led the Cardinals with a passing and rushing touchdown, while senior receiver Qian Magwood had four catches for 92 yards and the game-winning touchdown. The Cardinals will travel to Western Michigan on Oct. 11.
FORECAST
Joseph Sawicki, Weather forecaster, Benny Weather
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
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MOSTLY SUNNY
Hi: 67º Lo: 38º
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Hi: 77º Lo: 45º ISABELLA KEMPER, DN
DNNews
10.09.25
Growing
GREEN
Greenhouse demolition makes space for better learning opportunities in Christy Woods. 06
03
Campus
Ball State Policy Regarding Unaccompanied Minors Ball State University enforces policy regarding minors participating in virtual or in-person activities. All activities on campus involving unaccompanied minors must complete the five-step process outlined on the Office of Risk Management webpage. The five steps must receive approval before the activity begins.
Local
Ball State offers training for youth coaches
Ball State University’s Coach BeyondIndiana initiative is inviting coaches across Indiana to participate in free, virtual trainings, according to Oct. 6 press release from Associate Vice President of University Communications and Digital Strategy, Greg Fallon. This training offers strategies in skill development and more.
State
Democrat Beau Bayh to run for In. Secretary of State
Beau Bayh filed to run as a Democrat for the Secretary of State’s Office in Indiana, according to Indiana Capital Chronicle (ICC). Bayh has pitched his campaign as one to “clean up a broken political system,” according to ICC, wanting to also work on making sure “elections are secure and fair.”
Vegetations found along the trail in Ball State’s Christy Woods Sept. 23 in Muncie, Ind. RYAN FLEEK, DN
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10.09.25
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Voting centers arrive in Delaware County
Voter wears an “I voted today” sticker Nov. 5 2024 at South View Elementary School. ISABELLA KEMPER, DN. AVA BOWER, DN PHOTO ILLUSTRATION
Delaware County gained approval for its voting center plan for the May 2026 primary.
Kyler Effner Reporter It has been 10 years since Delaware County initially moved to change its voting procedures from a precinct voting format to voting centers. Through a long and complicated process, representatives from both parties and individuals from the League of Women Voters have been pushing their voting center plan steadily forward to make voting easier and more accessible for Delaware County residents. Ball State is home to the Voting System Technical Oversight Program, which performs randomized audits on voting machines, post-election audits to ensure ballots are tabulated correctly and an assortment of other tasks that keep elections running smoothly around the state. VSTOP election systems audit specialist Matt
Housley said, “The number one reason that we hear counties switch [to vote centers] is they want convenience for their voters.” Voting centers streamline the voting process, allowing voters to cast their ballots without needing to go to a specific location. Instead, new locations have been chosen all over Delaware County to best suit voters’ needs. The electronic pollbooks will now be provided with ballots from all the precincts, which permits voters to attend whichever polling spot is the most convenient for them. In essence, the centers cut down on potential travel time, additional planning and potential miscommunication and voter frustrations. The plan’s approval had to be unanimously voted upon by the Delaware County clerk and both a Democratic and a Republican representative. While the plan was ultimately approved Sept. 8, there were many discussions leading up to the approval date in relation to the centers’ locations. President and spokesperson of Delaware County’s chapter of the League of Women Voters (LWV), Linda Hanson, voiced the struggle of deciding on locations. “Members of the election board had to figure out where the centers could be and then agree to all the
locations. That took some negotiating,” she said. Hanson also noted that “the barriers to approval were really disagreements between the parties about where the vote centers should be located.” In the final plan, voters can see a drop from 43 locations to the current 26 vote centers. However, the location drop is not indicative of the ease that voters will face in the upcoming elections. “Anybody now can vote at any of those 26 locations, as long as you are registered to vote within Delaware County,” Housley said. Instead of the previous elections’ restrictions on where voters had to go to cast their ballot, making all the locations available to all the eligible voters within Delaware County has made voting easier for the county’s residents. Now with the plan’s 10-year approval journey over, the next hurdle the county must face with the new voting centers is getting the word out about the switch. “The League is committed to getting information out to the public in advance of the May 2026 primary so that the transition goes smoothly. Students could definitely help that process,” Hanson said. In order to reach voters, the LWV has distributable business cards with QR codes that
include information for prospective voters, as well as a map of voting center locations. Delaware County Clerk Rick Spangler stated that the county clerk’s office “will also be mailing every registered voter in Delaware County” to get the word out about the voting format switch. Many of the voting center locations are along public transportation routes, making it more accessible for those without a vehicle to cast their ballot in the upcoming primary and midterm elections. “The fact that students have access to the MITS [Muncie Indiana Transit System] transportation [should mean] there is no reason that they wouldn’t be able to hop on that bus and get to a voting center,” Housley said. In an effort to get more students to vote in May, Hanson urges Cardinals to make the commitment and bring three others with them to the polling booths. However, actively voting is not the only way students can get involved with vote centers, as Delaware County poll booths are volunteer-run. “Whatever party you identify with, whether you identify as a Democrat or a Republican, reach out to that party’s headquarters here in Muncie, you can volunteer to work Election Day, you can
05 volunteer to work in the polls,” Spangler said. It is unclear whether the centers may improve voter turnout, as studies from other states show mixed results. However, this upcoming primary in May will provide data that can be compared to previous years’ midterm primaries. Fundamentally, voter turnout can only be improved by spreading the word about the ease of voting centers and their proximity and accessibility to Ball State students. The vote centers will first be used in May 2026 during the primary. Ball State students must be registered to vote in Delaware County to cast a ballot at a vote center. “Young people make up the largest share of voters now. We’ve overtaken the older generation, yet we vote at rates easily in some areas, 40% to 50% less than our elder peers. And that needs to change. Ultimately, it’s the future,” Housley said. Contact Kyler Effner via email at kyler.effner@ bsu.edu.
Muncie resident cast vote Nov. 5 2024 at First Presbyterian Church. ISABELLA KEMPER, DN
The League is committed to getting information out to the public in advance of the May 2026 primary so that the transition goes smoothly. Students could definitely help that process,” - LINDA HANSON, President and spokesperson of Delaware County’s chapter of the League of Women Voters
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06
Scenery at Ball State’s Christy Woods Sept. 23 in Muncie Ind. Christy Woods is a 17-acre property that houses Ball State’s four greenhouses. RYAN FLEEK, DN
Kylee White Reporter Over the summer, Christy Woods, the botanical garden located on campus, tore down its old greenhouse in preparation for enhancing the space to continue providing the public and students with a place to visit nature on campus. The old teaching and research greenhouse was demolished because the space was no longer safe for use Previously, the greenhouse housed the Wheeler Orchid Collection and Species, which is the largest universitybased orchid collection in the country, according to Christy Woods Land Steward Sharyl Grant. Grant serves as the curator of the Teaching and Research Greenhouse. “With the old building, the systems that were inside of it were starting to fail. It was needing basically a complete overhaul,” Grant said. “When we really got to looking at it, we realized that there really wasn’t a way to renovate it. Building new was ideal.” In 2014, the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse was built for the campus. Now, the greenhouse is home to rare and endangered species of orchids, and provides a space for students to learn and research these plants. The Rinard Orchid Greenhouse is named after Joe Rinard and his wife, Alice Rinard.
“Dr. Joe Rinard is the one who regularly visited the old facility, and he really made a connection with the plants,” Grant said. “He had just recently lost his wife, and she loved gardening. He decided that was a project that he wanted to take on to dedicate the new greenhouse in her memory. [We] are very appreciative that he did that for us.” As the new building was put into place, the funds allocated for Christy Woods had been used for construction, leaving the old research greenhouse still standing. This summer, that has changed. The old research greenhouse was taken down, and the space has been undergoing changes to build the area back up. The future of the space includes a larger area for additional plants and shrubs, which will help students continue to use Christy Woods as an outdoor learning area, immersing themselves in nature for their classes. Ball State student Maddie Grove, a junior biology major with a dual concentration in wildlife biology and zoology, spends a lot of her time in Christy Woods for class and enjoys spending time outside in her day-to-day life. Her favorite memory came from when she went to Christy Woods with friends after a final; they just listened to the birds and wind. “Christy Woods add[s] a nice nature space for students to unwind and also provides a great learning space for field biology classes,” Grove said.
Considered as an outdoor classroom, the focus of the 17-acre area is Indiana native plants and Indiana ecosystems. “Everything we do is guided by that, to increase our ability to really educate not only our Ball State students, but also anyone who visits,” Grant said. McKenna Nolting, a junior majoring in biology with a concentration in preveterinary, spends a lot of her time in Christy Woods as well because she loves the atmosphere the space provides for students. “I love the way Christy Woods can take you away from the campus,” Nolting said. “It feels like we’re always stuck going [from] class to class, but Christy Woods provides a breath of fresh air.” Nolting also said that the space adds an “almost ‘Narnia’ aspect to campus.” “You never realize how much more there is until you finally go and see it,” she said. With the new area being worked on, plans for a prairie expansion are under development, where a formal prairie planting will take place to fill the area with more prairie plants that will mature within the next few years. This planting will involve adding new greenery around the shrubs that have already been introduced to the area. The planting will occur once the prairie plants are ready to be put in place. A new entrance will also be placed on the north side of the facility, which will allow
students to enter the park by the orchid greenhouse and nature lab. “Groups will be able to gather there, and we’ll be able to do our introductory talks and then split up into groups, and then they can go to their respective stations,” Grant said. Grant is excited for the future of the space and has high hopes for the groups that come to see it. “It’s going to be beautiful. We also are going to be putting some more shrubs in that area too, some native shrubs that we don’t have in Christy Woods right now,” she said. The space still has some work to be done before being fully completed. Grant is hoping to have shrubs placed in the area by the end of the month and says that the native plants might take anywhere from two to three years to fully grow and bloom. “It’s a good place where you can leave the hustle and bustle and your stress at the gate and come in and just enjoy being in the woods or being in the prairie area, visiting the greenhouse. It’s just that it has a very calming effect on people,” Grant said. Contact Kylee White via email at kylee.white@bsu.edu.
Christy Woods stands tall outside of the gate to Christy Woods Oct. 2 at Ball State University. ISABELLA KEMPER, DN; OLIVIA MCSPADDEN, DN PHOTO ILLUSTRATION
DNSports
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Football
MAC defensive player of the week named
Ball State senior defensive end Nathan Voorhis has been named Mid-American conference (MAC) defensive player of the week according to a press release from Ball State athletics. The edge rusher totaled 3.5 sacks on Oct. 4 against Ohio, which propelled him to be the National Leader in sacks in the football bowl series (FBS). Voorhis has eight sacks on the season.
Men’s Golf
Men’s golfers finish in top 10 The Ball State men’s golf team had two top ten finishers in their individuals “Put me in coach” invite according to a press release from Ball State athletics. The invite was hosted by Delaware Country Club in Muncie, Ind. Cardinals Aiden Gutierrez and Avery Mahoney both concluded the tournament in the top ten, with Gutierrez’s best round being a 69, and Mahoney scoring a 67 on the last day of the invite.
Ball State Men’s Golf is continuing its legacy of success early this season.
Soccer
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Ball State soccer falls to Western Michigan
BALL STATE ATHLETICS PHOTO PROVIDED, KAI HARRIS, DN PHOTO ILLUSTRATION
Ball State soccer suffered their third conference loss and fifth overall on the season when they fell to Western Michigan 2-0 on Oct. 5. It is only the second time the Cardinals have been shutout this season, with the first coming against Kent State. Ball State will have a chance to bounce back when they travel to Eastern Michigan on Oct. 9.
ON BALLSTATEDAILYNEWS.COM: CROSS COUNTRY PLACES 11TH AT JOE PIANE INVITATIONAL
DNSports
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Ball State Men’s Golf is building on a dynasty of unparalleled commitment. Ball State Men’s Golf Head Coach Mike Fleck watches his golfers at a meet. BALL STATE ATHLETICS, PHOTO PROVIDED
Trinity Rea Associate Sports Editor Ball State Men’s Golf is rooted in a culture Head Coach Mike Fleck describes as a “40year commitment.” “The culture is family-based. It’s not a 4-year commitment; it’s a 40-year commitment. We see that commitment from the generosity and the continued support that our alumni and donors provide for us, and allow us to give these guys the highest level experience as a D1 golfer at Ball State,” Fleck said. Fresh off a recent contract extension, the head coach of nearly three decades is guiding a young Cardinals squad already making waves in the MidAmerican Conference (MAC). The team, anchored by freshmen Samuel Harris and Luke Johnston, set a new program record with 198 three-round scorecards in only the third college event of their careers, the Sept. 20 and 21. Earl Yestingmeir Invitational. Johnston shot 65-64-69, while Harris finished 65-66-67. Johnston set a program record for the lowest 36-hole score through the first two rounds, and the pair helped set a team record for the lowest 54-hole score. At the end of the invite, Johnston edged Harris in a four-hole playoff, and the pair earned co-medalist honors. In the coming week, they earned the CoMAC Golfer of the Week award, Harris’s second nomination and win in three weeks. “Starting off playing under Coach Fleck is just absolutely incredible. He’s so experienced, and he knows what he’s talking about, and that’s really leading us to have a good season,” Harris said. For Johnston, Harris’s competitor, the experience
of facing a teammate in a playoff was a unique one. He said, regardless of the outcome, he was glad to play against Harris, as the experience allowed both parties to improve and get better at their game. “We want to break those records again,” Johnston said. Fleck said that the playoff between Johnston and Harris was unique and put them in a situation unreplicable in practice, something he was ultimately grateful the two freshmen were able to experience. He added that he could not be prouder of the hard work and dedication put in by his student-athletes
Fleck said trust and mutual respect among players, something he said he can’t coach or force upon his team, are what make this possible. “There’s definitely a really high level of appreciation that I’ve got a group of guys that are all on the same page, that enjoy being around each other, that enjoy pushing each other competitively,” Fleck said. “… It’s going to allow us to take things to even higher levels in the future.” The golfers themselves also point to team cohesion as their key to early success. Harris said daily interactions with his teammates have built both skill and camaraderie within the group.
Starting off playing under Coach Fleck is just absolutely incredible. He’s so experienced, and he knows what he’s talking about, and that’s really leading us to have a good season.” - SAMUEL HARRIS, Freshman golfer on a daily basis. He said the way they present themselves on and off the green speaks volumes to how they represent the Ball State community. “To see them go through that, just to see all their teammates there, green side, supporting both of them, regardless of how it played out, are things that are going to help us learn and grow and become even better down the road,” he said. The competitive element aligns with the program’s long-standing philosophy. Individual performance matters, but the team’s culture and promotion of collective growth remain central in their play.
He said that no matter where they are, in the weight room, practice, or in class, a huge part of the team is how they help one another. “We help each other out. We’ve grown up playing golf together, so our relationships are great. We give each other advice, and I trust my teammates’ input because they know the game,” Harris said. Johnston, who said he came to Ball State partly due to Fleck, credited his approach to coaching with his smooth transition to collegiate golf. He said that due to his inviting and trusting attitude, he’s a huge part of the team’s success.
Fleck’s philosophy is shaped by decades in the program, first as a player, then as an assistant under legendary coach Earl Yestingsmeier, who had a career spanning over 40 years, before assuming his current role in 1998. He’s guided the Cardinals to national postseason play three times, earned a national top 20 ranking in 2019, won 25 career tournament championships and coached 34 All-MAC selections. In the past five years, Fleck has led Ball State to two MAC Championship runner-up titles and one MAC Championship title, taking them to the NCAA tournament last season. For Fleck, Ball State is home. “My wife has two degrees from Ball State, so we love this community. We love the sports community that Ball State provides with all its teams, and I coach the Ball State men’s golf program here, but I’m also a huge Ball State Athletics fan,” he said. As the Cardinals look ahead, the focus remains on growth, teamwork and continued success. Fleck said his team is not goal-oriented but rather focused on working hard, learning from those experiences and using them to improve. “The guys want to win the MAC, they want to go to postseason, but it’s about how we execute together,” he said, encouraging the community to follow his team’s schedule and come out and support them, especially at their MAC Championship this spring. Ball State Men’s Golf’s next chapter is already being written by talented freshmen, guided by a coach whose vision spans decades. For this storied program, the foundation is strong and the future is bright. Contact Trinity Rea via email at trinity.rea@bsu. edu or on X @thetrinityrea.
DNLife
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Campus
Lily Ellis draws a portrait of two Ball State students Sept. 20 in North Dining. Ellis is a first-year undergraduate at Ball State University majoring in both literature and history. ISABELLA KEMPER, DN
Ball State offering Talent Acquisition Support Assistant Director of Talent Acquisition, Kyla McKillip, partners with leaders across the university to develop effective recruiting strategies and promote open positions, according to an Oct. 7 press release from Ball State Communications Center. Those in need of job support can call 765-285-1149.
Campus
Oct. 21panal to discuss Muncie’s “Dark Side“ According to an Oct. 7 press release from Ball State Communications Center, the university will host its fourth-annual “Eerie Muncie” panel to “explore some of the eerie happenings and hauntings in Muncie and Delaware County history,” according to the release. The Oct. 21 event begins at 6 p.m. in the alumni center.
Community
Minnetrista’s Boo-Levard Bash happening Oct. 10
OLIVIA MCSPADDEN, DN DESIGN. THIS DESIGN WAS CREATED USING ASSETS FROM FREEPIK.COM.
The literature and history double major uses art and fashion as creative outlets away from schoolwork.
10
Muncie residents and families are invited to celebrate Halloween by trick-or-treating along the city’s historic Minnetrista Boulevard Oct. 10 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Family-friendly costumes are welcome, according to Minnetrista’s event webpage.
ON BALLSTATEDAILYNEWS.COM: DWNTWN MUNCIE HOSTS FIRST THURSDAY OCT. 2
DNLife
10.09.25
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THIS DESIGN WAS CREATED USING ASSETS FROM FREEPIK.COM.
Thisfirst-yeasrtudenftindsthecampus dininghalb settetrhanhedrormroom.
both Sept. 20 in North Dining. Ellis draws portraits for people in (ABOVE) Lily Ellis draws a portrait of two Ball State students in North Dining. Ellis draws 20 Sept. ts studen State Ball two of t portrai a draws Ellis North Dining and Woodworth. (RIGHT) Lily ISABELLA KEMPER, DN portraits for people in both North Dining and Woodworth.
Katherine Hill Lifestyles Editor While many students around Ball State University’s campus can be seen carrying a laptop, iced coffee or weekly planner, there’s only one carrying a 120-pack of HOTU Dual Brush Tip art markers. That one student is Lily Ellis, a first-year undergraduate at the university, majoring in both literature and history. “Not art,” she said. “Most people ask if [my major] is art, and it’s not.” Perhaps the reason most people ask is because Ellis can be seen in the dining halls throughout campus twice a week, offering free portraits to passersby. To her, time spent on endeavors like drawing
or styling her outfits with different fabrics and patterns is a “creative outlet” away from school projects or homework. Ellis said she first began honing her creativity during the summer of her seventh grade year when she spent over 70 hours trying to replicate the art style she saw on various movie posters. “I checked out every single book on drawing manga I possibly could from the library in Washington State. At first, I was just trying to copy things as best I could, and then later, I moved to doing things a little more realistic[ally],” she said, confiding, “I must confess that I cannot draw anything else but people and dragons halfway decently. I focused exclusively on drawing people in a specific style.” As Ellis’ hobby evolved into a specialized talent, she became more like her dad, who she
said is the visionary of her family. “If you’re talking about arts in our household, you’re going to be talking to my dad. He doesn’t work in the art field, but he plays with music, he really loves videography, drawing [and] woodworking.” Ellis said, adding that, “while there [are] not specific artists” who influenced her style, a lot of her expressionistic passions can be traced back to her father. Through various high school art classes and lessons taught by her teacher, Hannah Berry, Ellis developed a realistic art style. Now, drawing freehand portraits in a matter of minutes, Ellis said she focuses mostly on a person’s eyes and face shape, her goal being to provide her subjects with a depiction of themselves that is more personal than a video game character customization. Her idea to draw strangers’ portraits for free is
far beyond ordinary — especially on a college campus in a digitally isolated age — when 39 percent of college students nationwide aged over 18 reported receiving a generalized anxiety disorder diagnosis in 2023-2024, according to an annual report from Healthy Minds Network. But Ellis, a self-proclaimed “introvert with practice,” found the cramped size of her dorm room far more insufferable than the prospect of enduring social anxiety. “‘I’ve never been somebody to sit inside for very long periods of time, unless I’m reading or doing something else,” she said. To her, knowing nobody on campus felt like she had nothing to lose. Within an hour of coming up with the idea during her first week on campus, Ellis made some signage and walked to Woodworth Dining Hall with her 120-pack of HOTU Dual Brush
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I wouldn’t trade that for something else. This is a good skill, and also, it’s very low stakes…It’s a bunch of one-off interactions, but I think it’s really valuable.” - LILY ELLIS, First-year literature and history student Tip art markers, a beloved Christmas present. “I’m glad that I decided to [draw portraits]” she said, but added that, at the time, the decision did not feel like a choice — but instead, her only option to escape the depths of boredom. What started as a “survival tactic” has become a weekly regimen. “I think it’s good for meeting people [and] personal development. That way, people know I’m ‘The girl who sits in the dining hall and does people’s portraits’…It’s a useful conversation starter,” she said. Ellis sits in Ball State’s Woodworth Dining Hall on Mondays and North Dining Hall on Saturdays, both days from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. While the schedule occasionally fluctuates based on her assignment workload, it’s something Ellis said she hopes to continue to honor, at least through the rest of the Fall 2025 semester. By this point in the semester, having drawn portraits for just under two months, Ellis recalled drawing around two dozen. Though the turnout may seem low to some, Ellis said it’s higher than she initially expected. “‘I’m realizing that I have to learn to talk to people who might not want to talk, and also, the people who already want to talk are more likely to stop [by],” she said. The different demographics and spectrum of personalities Ellis sees week-to-week offer her some uniquely detailed insight into Ball State’s student population. She’s even being tasked with pulling nuggets of wisdom from her Christian faith. “I wouldn’t trade that for something else. This is a good skill, and also, it’s very low stakes.
The majority of the people I’ve met aren’t in my dorm. They aren’t even in my major…It’s a bunch of one-off interactions, but I think it’s really valuable,” she said. Those “one-off interactions” happen with people like Valeria Mendoza, a first-year Ball State student. Mendoza said she felt compelled to have her portrait drawn because of her own passion for artistry and sketchwork as an architecture major. “I think it is unique, because when you’re a freshman, you are struggling to make friends, or trying to meet new people. This is just a unique way to reach out as a freshman, and it was really interesting finding out that [Ellis] was a freshman,” Mendoza said. Christopher Ruano, a first-year psychology student, said he pointed out Ellis’ setup to Mendoza and was intrigued because “you don’t usually see stuff like this on campus.” Ellis produces her pen and marker sketches for free. That marketing strategy, she said, is purposeful, in part because “no one carries cash,” but also because by not technically selling anything, she is allowed to be in public spaces like the dining halls without a permit for the space or any related documentation. While she said all who have sat with her for the approximated 25-30 minute sketching period thus far have been satisfied with the final product and connection thereafter, she “has a line” prepared, should someone not agree with her portrayal of them. “That line is, ‘You get what you pay for,’” Ellis said. “[And,] you’re sitting here for free…So, no, I’m not worried about [confrontation]. Maybe I should be.” She explained that her goal is to draw portraits of people “as they are.” “I think the best [scenario] is, even if they aren’t quite happy with how they are, they would still be happy with the portrait,” she said. Ellis is also all too familiar with the adverse effects artificial intelligence poses to various modes of organic creativity. In today’s swiftly evolving digital era of technology advancements, she said it is now more important than ever to foster creativity and individuality. “It is part of our calling as humans to be creators. We are created beings — and so it’s our calling to create. If we delegate that responsibility, that’s like a manager delegating management. [Creativity] is not something you delegate,” she said. Contact Katherine Hill via email at katherine. hill@bsu.edu.
DNLife
Ball State students pose with a portrait that Lily Elis drew Sept. 20 in North Dining. ISABELLA KEMPER, DN
Lily Ellis takes a photo of two Ball State Students with their portrait she drew to post on Instagram Sept. 20 in North Dining. ISABELLA KEMPER, DN
Ball State faculty pose with a portrait that Lily Elis drew of her in less than 15 minutes.
ISABELLA KEMPER, DN
DNOpinion 12
10.09.25
WHEN
LOVE
MAKES YOU LOSE
YOURSELF
Watching friends disappear into their relationships has shown me how easy it is to trade individuality for someone else’s identity — and how much it costs in the end.
BRENDEN ROWAN, DN
ON BALLSTATEDAILYNEWS.COM: MY CHILDHOOD FRIENDS HELP ME KEEP MY IDENTITY
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Meghan Braddy is a fourthyear journalism major and writes “Meghan’s Muses” for the Daily News. Her views do not necessarily reflect those of the paper. I have never been in a serious relationship, but I have seen what Meghan they can do to people. Braddy From the outside looking in, Editor in Chief it is sometimes heartbreaking. Friends who used to die laughing with me, share their passions and show up for themselves suddenly start disappearing. It is like they trade in their individuality for someone else’s identity, molding themselves into a mirror of their boyfriend or girlfriend. What is worse is when you feel like you are hanging on to a friendship with someone you do not even recognize anymore. You are trying so hard to be everything for them that you stop thinking about what you want out of the friendship. Meanwhile, your friend is only thinking about what their partner wants. At that point, you are just along for the ride. You are not the main character — you are the side character in your best friend’s relationship with their partner. I have had multiple friends in my life who have done this. They slowly started becoming smaller versions of themselves to accommodate their partner’s needs and wants, and they stopped thinking about what would make them truly happy. Due to this, my friendships with these people slowly started becoming less and less of a priority for them. And once I finally said something, I had some friends who got defensive and projected their insecurities back onto me — others simply cut me out of their lives for good. By the end, I did not even recognize who these people that I was friends with were anymore. Sure, they still explored some of their own interests, but they were never truly independent. Everything they did involved their partner in some way. Every conversation I had with them circled back to their significant others, no matter the topic. It is normal, of course, to share hobbies, try new things and build routines together. That is part of what makes relationships really fun and exciting. But there is a difference between sharing your life with someone and handing your life over to them entirely. When your partner’s likes and dislikes become your entire personality, you risk erasing the parts of yourself that made you unique in the first place. According to a January 2017 study by ResearchGate that focuses on selfconcept clarity
and relationships, people often experience identity confusion when they start blending their own identity with their partner’s. Similarly, research from an August 2019 journal article published by Sage Journals, shows that having independence is really important in keeping those relationships healthy in the long-term. Other research from an August 2018 journal article published in “Self and Identity” further emphasizes that while shared identity can sometimes help partners cope with certain challenges, uneven blending of those personalities can often lead to conflict and stress within the relationship itself. I have seen this happen before. Several of my friends stopped chasing their dreams, gave up friendships and even abandoned their own values just to keep their
But there is a difference between sharing your life with someone and handing your life over to them entirely.” relationships running smoothly. It was really hard to watch them make so many sacrifices just to keep their partners happy, especially when they justified it because they are “in love.” But that is not love — it is erasure. However, that kind of erasure does not happen overnight. It is gradual. At first, it looks a lot like a compromise. You start watching your partner’s favorite shows, hanging out with their friends and picking up their hobbies. But over time, one person bends and bends until they disappear — all in the name of love. This is a huge problem because relationships should add to your life, not swallow it whole. This is why identity balance in relationships is really important. According to a January 2011 study published by Experts.Arizona, people with a balanced identity style — meaning they could adapt to change while still staying authentically true to themselves — had stronger relationship satisfaction and a better dynamic than those who were over-accommodating
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DNOpinion
their partner’s needs. It proves that losing yourself for someone else doesn’t make the relationship stronger; it only makes it that much weaker. At the end of the day, bending so much to fit into someone else’s life simply leaves behind the one thing that’s really hard to get back: your own identity. And losing friendships along the way only makes things much worse. According to the National Library of Medicine, in a January 2023 systematic review of adult friendships, strong friendships are tied to emotional wellbeing, life satisfaction and mental health. Furthermore, a December 2022 study from BMC Public Health confirms that the quality of those friendships directly impacts happiness and self-esteem. This research supports the idea that losing friendships while identity blending with your partner is the last thing you want to do, as friendships really show us how important it is to have people in our lives who see us for who we are, not just who we are in romantic relationships. For me, I have always tried to see my friends as individuals, but it became increasingly harder to do that when I started seeing more and more of their partner’s qualities in themselves. Flash forward to today, some of my friends eventually realized what was happening and found their way back to themselves, but others are still lost, trapped in relationships where they feel the need to prove every day that they are happy. They post about their significant others constantly, almost like they’re trying to convince the world — or maybe themselves — that everything is perfect. But honestly, it only makes me doubt them more. I have also seen the opposite: friends in relationships where their partners encourage them to chase their goals, stay true to themselves and grow more independently. And the difference between both of these types of relationships is huge. If you have seen identity blending happen to one of your friends and suffered a friendship loss because of it, know you are not alone. It is not your fault for what happened in the friendship. You did everything you could. Sometimes you have to let people go so they can find themselves again. I may not know what it’s like to be in a serious relationship, but from the outside looking in, I have watched several of my friends get swallowed up by identity blending, losing pieces of themselves along the way. It is painful to witness, but I hold onto hope that one day they will realize what they have lost. And when they do, I will still be here. Contact Meghan Braddy via email at meghan. braddy@bsu.edu or on X @meghan_braddy.
BRENDEN ROWAN, DN PHOTO ILLUSTRATION
DNLife
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GamedayinFuncie ISABELLA KEMPER, DN ILLUSTRATION
Ball State tailgate attendees pose for a photo prior to the Ball State vs Ohio football game Oct. 4 outside Scheumann Stadium. KYLE INGERMANN, DN
Ball State tailgate attendees shot gun prior to the Ball State vs. Ohio game Oct. 4 outside Scheumann Stadium. JESSICA BERGFORS, DN Ball State tailgate attendees pose for a photo at the Ball State vs. Ohio tailgate Oct. 4 outside Scheumann Stadium. JESSICA BERGFORS, DN
President Geoffrey Mearns speaks at the CharlieTown tailgate Oct. 4 outside of Scheumann Stadium. BRENDEN ROWAN, DN
Ball State tailgate attendees play spike ball Oct. 4 outside of Scheumann Stadium. BRENDEN ROWAN, DN
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