There's something admirable about remembering your roots.
Few Ball State alumni choose to stay in Muncie after graduation, let alone throughout their lives.
Most Ball State students won't even stay in Muncie for the weekend.
But despite the tendency for students and alumni to make Muncie a pit stop, one of the most famous alumni never really left.
Jim Davis, a Marion, Ind., native and creator of "Garfield," chose to make the Muncie area his home.
Davis regularly dines in Muncie's restaurants -- and not just the nicer ones. He's quick to give an autograph if fans see him out, and he's happy to be so well-known in the community. For the most part, Jim Davis is your average east central Indiana resident.
Well, except for the whole "creator of Garfield" thing.
For 25 years, Davis has entertained readers with his "Garfield" comic strip. His successes would allow him to move virtually anywhere in the country, but he chose to stay here. When asked why, Davis' answer was simple.
He is comfortable here.
"Humorists are by and large from the Midwest," Davis said. "Look at David (Letterman) with his sense of humor. It is very marketable -- Tom Wilson with 'Ziggy,' Mort Walker from Kansas City, does "Beetle Bailey," Charles Schulz was from St. Paul, Minn. There is just something about the Midwest sense of humor that is a good balance between both coasts."
Davis also said he never had a reason to move because the only thing he has ever really needed was a mailbox.
"The whole rhythm and being comfortable when writing comes from being here," Davis said. "There is no reason to move whatsoever. I have always found something wrong with the other parts of the country anyways -- either too much traffic, mudslides or earthquakes."
East central Indiana does have its shortcomings, but from Davis' perspective, it's easy to see why he stayed.
The Ball State community is proud to have him.
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