David Letterman donates over 1,000 items to Ball State

<p>Alumnus David Letterman&nbsp;came to Ball State with filmmakers Spike Jonze and Bennett Miller on Nov. 30, 2015, at John R. Emens Auditorium. Recently, the famous talk show host has donated over 1,000 items of memorabilia to the university. <strong>Breanna Daugherty, DN File</strong></p>

Alumnus David Letterman came to Ball State with filmmakers Spike Jonze and Bennett Miller on Nov. 30, 2015, at John R. Emens Auditorium. Recently, the famous talk show host has donated over 1,000 items of memorabilia to the university. Breanna Daugherty, DN File

David Letterman’s legacy at Ball State continues to thrive as the famous late-night talk show host and alumnus donated more than 1,000 items to the university.

Letterman first announced his plans to donate his memorabilia in 2015 when he came to campus to host “Dave at Ball State” with Spike Jonze and Bennett Miller. He surprised the university community by promising to donate his entire “Late Night” and “Late Show” collection. 

Former Ball State President Paul W. Ferguson called the collection "The David Letterman Experience” with the goal of making it available for public display and pop-culture research purposes.

RELATED: David Letterman interviews Spike Jonze, Bennet Miller, bringing his wit, gift   

Since August 2016, pieces of the collection has continued to arrive and is currently being appraised, researched and archived.    

Recently, The Star Press reported that university library’s archives and special collections office recently released a Top Ten list of things in the collection including signed photographs from President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama of their guest appearances on the "Late Show,” 15 Emmy Awards and more than 50 audio, video and film recordings mostly documenting Letterman's early career, including his work with WBST radio station.    

Phil Repp, dean of the college of architecture and chairman of a committee in charge of the collection told TSP that the university has brought consultants from Chicago in to help determine the total value of the collection.    

“We are finding out there is a market value and an insurance value,” Repp told TSP.    

In a 2015 interview with NewsLink Indiana, Roger Lavery, dean of the College of Communications, Information and Media said Letterman wanted to make sure the display would be a dedication to modesty, like the current plaque in Letterman Building that reads "dedicated to all C students before and after me."    

The Daily News will have a closer look into the Letterman memorabilia next week.          

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