Ball State University Hosting Special Screening of Garfield: The Movie with Creator and Alumnus Jim Davis, Nov. 13

Topics: Alumni, Arts and Culture, College of Fine Arts, Foundation, Muncie, Speakers

November 6, 2024

Ball State University's College of Fine Arts will welcome back alumnus Jim Davis, '67 LittD '91, creator of the iconic comic strip Garfield, for a special screening of Garfield: The Movie.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 13, 2024, in Pruis Hall, with doors opening at 6 p.m., and offers a unique opportunity for attendees to hear from one of Ball State's distinguished alumni.

Following the screening, Mr. Davis-who has also taught classes for Ball State's School of Art-will participate in a Q&A session, sharing insights into his journey as a cartoonist, the inspiration behind Garfield, and the character's impact on popular culture.

"We're pleased to welcome Jim Davis back to Ball State for this special event," said Dr. Seth Beckman, dean of the College of Fine Arts. "It's a great opportunity for our students and community to connect with a respected graduate who has made a lasting mark in his field. We look forward to celebrating his achievements and the inspiration he brings to our campus."

In Garfield: The Movie, Garfield (voiced by Chris Pratt), the world-famous, Monday-hating, lasagna-loving indoor cat, finds himself on a wild outdoor adventure. After an unexpected reunion with his long-lost father-scruffy street cat Vic (voiced by Samuel L. Jackson)-Garfield and his canine friend Odie are pulled from their pampered life to join Vic in a hilarious, high-stakes heist.

The film, which premiered in May 2024, became a box office success, grossing more than $257 million worldwide.