By BSU Marketing & Communications—
MUNCIE, Ind. – Ball State University raised $36 million in philanthropic gifts and commitments in the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2021, marking the third consecutive year of more than $30 million in new private, philanthropic gifts to the University.
“Despite the challenges of the pandemic, our alumni and benefactors enabled us to achieve one of the best years of fundraising in our University’s history,” said Ball State University President Geoffrey S. Mearns. “They made these extraordinarily generous gifts because they know that their investments in our people—in our students, our faculty, and our staff—are enabling us to transform lives.”
President Mearns credited the University’s latest fundraising success to his colleagues in the Ball State University Foundation, who work to advance the mission of the University.
“Our donors understand that a Ball State degree can change the trajectory of a student’s life,” said Jean Crosby, president of the Foundation and vice president of University Advancement. “Their gifts—along with the support of faculty, staff, and students who participated in One Ball State Day 2021—enhance our ability to provide student scholarships, to enrich our academic and co-curricular programs, and to increase our University’s engagement with the community.”
Among the many philanthropic highlights at Ball State within the past year:
—The University generated $4.6 million in commitments for 54 new scholarships.
—Ball State opened the doors to its brand new Scheumann Family Indoor Practice Facility. This $15 million, 84,000 square-foot structure was funded by private donations. The facility is being used by the football, softball, baseball, and soccer teams during inclement weather, and provides additional opportunities for the entire campus and broader community, including the Pride of Mid-America Marching Band.
—In December, Ball State’s Teachers College received the largest single gift in its history. A $1.45 million commitment from Michelle (Asby) Ryan, a 1981 Ball State graduate, and her husband, Jim, helped establish the Michelle A. and James T. Ryan Family Scholarship, the Ryan Family Navigators Program, and the Ryan Fellowship for Community-Engaged Teacher Preparation. The initiatives will assist students with diverse and economically-challenged backgrounds by providing them with financial assistance and comprehensive services.
—One Ball State Day (OBSD), Ball State University’s annual 24-hour online fundraising event, celebrated its best single day of fundraising ever. Held on April 6, this year’s OBSD resulted in more than 10,000 total gifts totaling more than $900,000. Next year’s One Ball State Day is being held April 5, 2022.
Established in 1951, the Ball State University Foundation supports the University, its mission, and its students by carefully stewarding, prudently investing, and strategically allocating private gifts for scholarships, faculty, and programs. Historically, total contributions from donors to Ball State have exceeded $560 million.
For more information, visit bsu.edu/foundation, call 765-285-8316, or email giftadmin@bsu.edu. To support Ball State with a one-time or recurring gift, visit bsu.edu/give.
About Ball State
Founded in 1918 and located in Muncie, Ball State University is one of Indiana’s premier universities and an economic driver for the state. Ball State’s 21,600 students come from all over Indiana, the nation, and the world. The 790-acre campus is large enough to accommodate first-rate facilities and 19 NCAA Division I sports, but our welcoming and inclusive campus is small enough to ensure the friendliness, personal attention, and access that are the hallmarks of the University. Destination 2040: Our Flight Path establishes Ball State’s ambitious goals for our second century. We Fly!
