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Letterman, filmmakers speak at Ball State

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH/WANE) — Ball State alumnus David Letterman was back on campus Monday night, and he brought along two critically acclaimed filmmakers.

The Indianapolis native sat down for a conversation with directors Spike Jonze and Bennett Miller.

“I’m so lucky to have been invited back, said Letterman. “I want to thank everybody here, everybody on campus and I want to thank the people who run this university. It’s an honor to be lucky enough to maintain this association.”

Jonze is an Academy Award winner who directed “Her,” Being John Malkovich” and “Adaptation.” Miller is the man behind “Moneyball,” Foxcatcher” and “Capote.”

Crowds packed Ball State for the event.

Letterman, a 12-time Emmy winner, graduated from Ball State in 1969.

The former show host donated all of his Emmys and parts of the “Late Show” set to the university. The items will be part of the “David Letterman Experience” and will be housed in the Letterman Building, which houses the school’s communications college.

“When I was here in 1965, Ball State University is not, was not what it is today,” said Letterman.  “Today, it has all of the trimmings and all of the substance of a higher learning institution. When I was here, it was a like a minimum security prison.”

The university opened the David Letterman Communication and Media building in 2007.