INDIANAPOLIS (AP) &#8212 David Letterman finally has his building.

The CBS “Late Show” host’s colleagues have jokingly wondered for years on TV why a building on the campus hadn’t been named for Ball State’s most recognized alumnus, once even enhancing a photo of a football stadium and inserting Letterman’s name.

The wait is over. Ball State University plans to name its new communication building after the 60-year-old Letterman, a 1970 graduate.

His mother, Dorothy Mengering, attended Monday’s announcement by the board of trustees in Letterman’s hometown of Indianapolis.

Letterman, who has won 16 Emmy Awards and 97 nominations and is part owner of the Rahal Letterman auto racing team, often has mentioned the school on his show and consistently has donated money. Ball State has had a Letterman Scholarship in the Department of Telecommunications since 1985.

“It is entirely fitting that the university should respond in kind with this public demonstration of our admiration and respect for such an accomplished and loyal alumnus,” said school president Jo Ann Gora.

But first, officials had to talk him into it.

Gora said the idea to name the facility for Letterman first was mentioned among trustees about a year ago, but they had to persuade him to agree to it because he didn’t want the attention.

Mengering was glad he changed his mind.

“I’m so thrilled that David finally decided to let them do this for him,” his 86-year-old mother said. “He’s a very special young man, and I’m very proud of him.”

Mengering, who lives in the city’s northern suburb of Carmel, and her famous son were both expected to attend the building’s Sept. 7 dedication.

The $21 million communication and media center on the main campus in Muncie currently houses Indiana Public Radio. It will open for students at the beginning of the 2007-08 school year, though some construction work is in its final stages.

The building is expected to provide much-needed space for the university’s emerging digital media content production facilities.

The 75,000 square-foot building brings the Center for Information and Communication Sciences, communication studies, journalism and telecommunications departments under one roof. It includes studio and office space and will be open to students 24 hours a day.

Letterman said in a statement that the announcement was important to him.

“I am proud to have been a student at Ball State, and I’m deeply honored to have this recognition for me and my family,” Letterman said.