To honor William T. Jackson and Lynn Jackson’s lifetime commitment to achieving a more peaceful world and their long-standing interest in Asia, its people and culture, the Jackson family generously donated $50,000 to construct the Asia Peace Pole to be erected in Ball State University’s Peace Plaza. The Jackson family also donated $25,000 to support the initiatives of Ball State University’s Center for Peace and Conflict Studies.

According to Professor Lawrence Gerstein, Director of the Center for Peace and Conflict Studies, “Lynn and Bill Jackson’s unselfish work for peace and their family members investment in peace serves as an enduring model to emulate and embrace in order to improve the lives of all sentient beings and the health of our planet.”

The purpose of the Peace Plaza is to promote a message of peace and inclusive excellence and to serve as a memorial to all who have fallen victim to violence worldwide, including Ball State faculty, staff, and students who died in the performance of duty in the U.S. military, law enforcement, fire departments, and health care institutions. The Peace Plaza is a place to remember, reflect, and work toward a more peaceful society and world. Members of Ball State’s campus and Muncie community are permitted to host peace related events at the Peace Plaza. The Peace Plaza acts as a place of unity in a world where unity seems hard to find.

Eight peace poles in total will be installed in the Plaza. The first pole that represents Indiana has been installed. The second pole to be installed is Asia. The remaining six poles will represent the other six continents. Once all seven poles have been constructed, the Plaza will be a symbol representing the commitment to peace of people from all corners of the globe.

The Peace Plaza’s goals are to commemorate past tragedies in the United States and to create a special and unique space where an individual can stop and reflect on what peace means to them in their everyday, personal life. Ball State University is one of only a few institutions of higher education in the United States to feature a Peace Plaza, making this even more special.

The Peace Plaza is located to the west of the Whitinger Business Building near University Green on Ball State’s campus.