Jim Davis to be honored at Ball State University

After more than three decades of drawing Garfield, Jim Davis will honored by Ball State University on April 17.

An Extraordinary Evening with Jim Davis will recognize the genius of the comic strip creator, credited with developing the worldwide Garfield marketing phenomenon. Guests will have an opportunity to meet Davis and learn firsthand about the creative forces behind his company, Paws Inc. of Albany, Ind., which supports the licensing of Garfield products.

“This event is a very special opportunity to meet one of our most distinguished alumni and creator of the world’s most widely read comic strip,” said Ball State President Jo Ann M. Gora. “Jim Davis has always been generous to his alma mater and this evening, which will feature Jim sketching as he talks about his career, is no exception.

“We’re especially excited that the event’s proceeds will go to the Jim Davis Fund, which provides our students with immersive learning experiences emphasizing emerging media. That is fitting, since Jim embraces emerging media’s possibilities from the e-cards and online shopping at the Garfield Web site to the educational games and teacher resources at the Professor Garfield site.”

Gora said all gifts to the fund are appreciated, even if guests are unable to attend.

Davis said Ball State exposed him to many new ideas during his days as a student.

“For me, it wasn’t just what I studied in class at Ball State, but the whole experience that gave me the kind of material that allowed me to do what I do today,” Davis said. “Those were experiences I still draw on today working on the comic strip. It was such a rich experience, so textural. I woke up when I came to Ball State University.”

http://www.bsu.edu/bold/jimdavis

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