Ball State University’s Center for Economic and Civic Learning (CECL) has received a major grant from the Library of Congress. Through the Teaching with Primary Sources (TPS) program, CECL will launch a national project titled With Compassion Toward One Another: Preparing for the Challenge of Civic Unity for America250 Through the Legacy of Kennedy and King, April 4th, 1968.

Dr. David J. Roof, Associate Professor of Educational Studies and CECL Director, will lead the project. It focuses on teaching civic courage, intellectual humility, and public service by exploring the intertwined legacies of Robert F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The program highlights Kennedy’s powerful eulogy delivered in Indianapolis just hours after King’s assassination—and just after Kennedy spoke at Ball State.

CECL is partnering with the Indiana Historical Society and Ball State Libraries’ Archives and Special Collections to bring this project to life.

Learning from a Legacy of Compassion

“This project brings together some of the most powerful lessons in American history,” said Dr. Roof. “April 4, 1968, shows us what civic leadership, empathy, and courage look like. We want educators to help students engage with that legacy and apply it to today’s world.”

Timed to support the upcoming America250 celebration, the program encourages civic dialogue, service-learning, and historical reflection. It features primary sources from the Library of Congress, including civil rights-era photos, trial records, King’s Letter from Birmingham Jail, and Kennedy’s recorded speeches.

April 4, 1968: A Moment That Mattered

That afternoon, Kennedy spoke to over 10,000 people at Ball State. Hours later, while heading to Indianapolis, he learned of Dr. King’s death. Against advice to cancel, Kennedy chose to address a crowd in a majority-Black neighborhood in Indianapolis.

Standing on a flatbed truck, he delivered the news and called for peace, not anger.

“What we need in the United States is not division… not hatred… not violence or lawlessness, but love and wisdom, and compassion toward one another.”

He quoted Aeschylus, speaking of the “awful grace of God.” While riots broke out in more than 100 U.S. cities that night, Indianapolis remained calm. Many credit Kennedy’s words and presence for keeping the peace. That speech, preserved in Ball State’s archives and the Library of Congress National Recording Registry, anchors this project’s message.

Three Phases of Action

The project will roll out in three stages:

• Phase 1 – Preparation (May 2025): CECL will select 20+ educators, build a digital library of primary sources, and launch virtual training modules.
• Phase 2 – Summer Institute (July 2025): Teachers will attend a three-day workshop at Ball State. A special screening of A Ripple of Hope will highlight the program’s themes.
• Phase 3 – Implementation (Fall 2025 to Spring 2026): Teachers will lead student projects, share impact stories, and present their work at conferences nationwide.

Supporting Indiana’s Classrooms

The program will prioritize educators from underserved communities. These teachers will receive stipends, free resources, and one year of guidance from CECL and its partners. Key collaborators include the Indiana Department of Education, the Indiana Historical Society, and Ball State Libraries.

“This is more than professional development—it’s a national model for civic learning,” said Dr. Roof. “Kennedy and King challenged Americans to reflect and act. We want students and teachers to do the same.”

Get Involved

The project is funded through the TPS Midwest Region at Illinois State University’s Milner Library. It runs from May 2025 through May 2026.

To learn more or apply for the Summer Institute, contact CECL at create@bsu.edu or visit: https://www.bsu.edu/academics/centersandinstitutes/cecl