About | Capital Campaign | Ball State University

THE POWER OF Beneficence

OUR CALL TO Beneficence

Philanthropy founded our University, via the extraordinary gift of the ﬁve Ball brothers. Today, Ball State has matured into a comprehensive, public research University of remarkable impact on the world. But in a dynamic, resource-intensive environment, standing still is not sufficient. Key to the University’s future is Our Call to Beneﬁcence: The Campaign for Ball State University, an unprecedented initiative to raise more than $350 million in philanthropic gifts. With your help, Ball State will stand ready to ensure student opportunity and success, enrich the academic experience, and expand our campus and community impact.

Executive Campaign Council

Randy Pond

Randy Pond, ’77

Campaign Chair
CFO, Pensando Systems
Danville, CA

Patrick Alderdice

Patrick Alderdice, ’92

CEO, Pennington and Company
Carmel, IN

Charlie Brown

Charlie Brown, ’71

Past President, Bell American Group
Indianapolis, IN

Tom Bryan

Tom Bryan, ’77

President, Bank of Rantoul
Fort Myers, FL

Renae Conley

Renae Conley, ’80 MBA ’82

CEO, ER Solutions, LLC
Chicago, IL

Craig Dobbs

Craig Dobbs, ’86

Institutional Consulting Director, Graystone Consulting
Carmel, IN

Jo Ann Gora

Dr. Jo Ann Gora

Former President, Ball State University
Williamsburg, VA

Dave Heeter

Dave Heeter, ’83

EVP, Corporate Ambassador, Northwest Bank
Muncie, IN

Dan Mollinaro

Dan Molinaro, ’68

Retired, Now Inc.
Houston, TX

Larry Roan

Larry Roan, ’77

Retired, Browning Day Mullins Dierdorf
Indianapolis, IN

Joan Ser Vaas

Joan SerVaas

President and Publisher, The Saturday Evening Post
Indianapolis, IN

Tony Smith, ’68

Retired, Ernst & Young
Indianapolis, IN/ Sao Paulo, Brazil

Campaign Advisory Council

Stefan Anderson, ’93

Muncie, IN

Dr. Shark Bird, ’90 MA ’95

Daytona Beach, FL

Terry Coleman, ’84

Greenwood, IN

Jim Fields, ’97

Downers Grove, IL

Hollis Hughes, ’65 MA ’72

South Bend, IN

Jennifer Mearns

Muncie, IN

Larry Metzing, ’70

Indianapolis, IN

Jeannine Metzing, ’71

Indianapolis, IN

Giang Petroviak, ’14

Fort Wayne, IN

Victoria Ruble, ’20

Farmers Branch, TX

Cory Spaulding, ’06 MBA ’09

Kalamazoo, MI

Kristin Wells, ’10 MA ’13

Osceola, IN

Matt Wells, ’10

Osceola, IN

John Williams, ’82 MA ’86

Frisco, TX

Dr. John E. Worthen

Muncie, IN

CAMPAIGN Staff

Ball State University staff are ready to discuss how you can answer Our Call to Beneficence. Access our staff directory, or call 765-285-8312 for assistance.

Mark Helmus

Chief Advancement Officer
765-285-9031
dmhelmus@bsu.edu

Lori Corvino

Sr. Director of Principal Gifts & Campaign Strategy
765-285-7051
lrcorvino@bsu.edu

Brian Meekin

Sr. Director of Development for Principal Gifts
765-285-2868
bmeekin@bsu.edu

Teresa Kennedy

Executive Assistant for Principal Gifts & Campaign Strategy
765-285-1634
tlkennedy@bsu.edu

Meet Our Full Team

FREQUENTLY ASKED Questions

What is the objective of Our Call to Beneficence?

Our Call to Beneficence is a comprehensive campaign that will energize Ball State’s commitment to lift individuals, families, and entire communities.

What is a comprehensive campaign?

Universities use campaigns to organize purposeful, time-driven efforts to generate philanthropic and volunteer support. A campaign is a platform that allows the university to rally our constituents around a common vision. During a comprehensive campaign, the vision is frequently centered around essential functions and innovative projects instead of focusing only on infrastructure, as is the case in capital campaigns.

What is the financial goal of Our Call to Beneficence?

Our Call to Beneficence seeks to raise $350 million to drive dozens of specific, vital projects in every corner of Ball State.

How were the campaign pillars established?

The pillars and priorities align with Ball State’s most recent strategic plan, Destination 2040: Our Flight Path. Funds raised during Our Call to Beneficence will support initiatives to ensure student opportunity and success, enrich the academic experience, and expand our campus and community impact.

When did the campaign begin?

The leadership phase of the campaign began on July 1, 2017. The public phase of the campaign launched on October 20, 2023.

When does the campaign end?

The campaign will conclude on June 30, 2027.

How is a campaign different from “normal” fundraising?

Annual fundraising is critical to the success of the university. The campaign, however, is a launching pad for Ball State to take giant steps to achieve more and do more.

Why does a state university need a private fundraising campaign?

Several types of funding make up the revenue model of public universities. These sources include state appropriations, student tuition and fees, private gifts, grants, and corporate and foundation partnerships. Philanthropic giving plays a significant role in the sustainability and success of state universities.

What are endowed funds, and why are they important?

Endowed funds are meant to be permanent. Your donation is invested by the university, and the interest income is used toward the specified purpose—such as a scholarship or professorship. Endowments are critical to providing reliable support in perpetuity.

Does a gift that I direct to a specific fund or program still count toward Our Call to Beneficence?

Yes! Any gift made during the campaign supports Our Call to Beneficence and brings Ball State one step closer to the campaign’s goals for the future.

How can I give to Our Call to Beneficence?

Learn more about the ways you can answer the call. You can also make a gift now.

What types of gifts are accepted during the campaign?

Options for donating are flexible and designed to meet your needs. You can support the campaign by making an online donation, a gift by mail, monthly installments, a bequest or charitable trust, employer-matched gifts, stock transfers, and more. Learn more about your options for giving or contact us.