For five decades, the Whitinger Scholars Program has brought some of Ball State University’s most accomplished and promising students together through a shared commitment to academic excellence, leadership, and the Honors College experience.
This Fall, Ball State is marking the 50th anniversary of the program’s first class of scholars. Alumni and current Whitinger Scholars will gather during Homecoming for a private reunion celebration Oct. 24 at the newly renovated Ball Honors House.
“For 50 years, Whitinger Scholars have represented the academic excellence, curiosity, and leadership that are central to the Honors College experience,” said Dr. Richard J. Petts, interim dean of the Honors College and director of the Virginia B. Ball Center for Creative Inquiry. “This anniversary gives us an opportunity to honor the legacy of Ralph Whitinger, celebrate the generations of students who have carried that legacy forward, and recognize the community they continue to build at Ball State and beyond.”
The Whitinger Scholars Program traces its history to March 1975, when the Ball State University Board of Trustees approved the creation of 16 undergraduate scholarships for outstanding Honors students. Each scholarship initially provided $1,500 annually and was renewable for three additional years. The first Whitinger Scholars were selected for the 1976-77 academic year.
University leaders created the program at a time of increasing competition for academically exceptional students. From the beginning, the scholarship was designed to recognize students with strong academic ability and leadership potential. Recipients were expected to participate actively in Ball State’s Honors Program and contribute to its community.
The program was named in honor of Ralph J. Whitinger (above), a 1929 Ball State graduate whose service to the University spanned decades. Mr. Whitinger began serving his alma mater as treasurer of the Ball State Alumni Association in 1940 and was instrumental in establishing the Ball State University Foundation in 1951. He went on to serve for many years as the Foundation’s first president.
His legacy at Ball State extended beyond the scholarship program. The University also named the Ralph J. Whitinger Business Building in his honor, recognizing his contributions to Ball State and his longstanding leadership and service.
Today, the Whitinger Scholarship remains the signature scholarship of the Honors College and the most prestigious scholarship awarded by Ball State. The award supplements other University merit scholarships to provide full tuition and required fees, as well as on-campus room and board, for eight new Honors College students each year. It is renewable for eight semesters of undergraduate study.
Recipients are selected based on academic ability, character, creativity, and potential for leadership—qualities that continue the principles established when the program began 50 years ago.
The anniversary reunion will bring together Whitinger Scholar alumni, current scholars, and select guests following Ball State’s Homecoming Parade. The gathering offers an opportunity to reconnect across generations while recognizing a program that has become an enduring part of the Honors College community.
The milestone also comes during Ball State’s 100th Homecoming celebration, connecting two University traditions with deep roots in the experiences of students and alumni.
For more information about the Whitinger Scholars Program, visit the Honors College scholarships and grants webpage. Questions about the reunion program may be directed to Kristin Ramsey, Honors College project manager and assistant director of the Virginia B. Ball Center for Creative Inquiry, at karamsey@bsu.edu or 765-285-0114.
