Written By | Ruth Hartje

The Biggest Year Yet

More than 8,600 gifts generated a record-breaking $1.5 million on One Ball State Day, providing support for organizations, departments, and programs across campus.

Throughout the 24-hour event, students, faculty, and staff raised awareness through activities, social media, and giving challenges that encouraged alumni, friends, and families to support areas meaningful to them.

Although the 2026 event took place on April Fool’s Day, the generosity was no joke. Campus activities included Donuts with the Deans, Pizza with the President, a trivia taxi, and the Dash and Splash at Lewellen Pool, where teams paddled giant inflatable ducks while competing for additional funding.

The Ball State Learning Center was among the programs that experienced significant growth, recording a 140 percent increase in gifts compared with 2025. The center provides peer tutoring in courses, writing, and study skills, along with supplemental instruction and testing accommodations.

“Our mission at the Learning Center is to provide peer academic support to students in the way that makes the most sense for them,” said Dr. Jenny Haley, Learning Center director. “We have appointment-based tutoring, drop-in tutoring, embedded tutoring, and supplemental instruction. I really do believe that there is a certain magic in peer academic support.”

The Learning Center employs more than 100 students and raised more than $3,400 on One Ball State Day.

Dr. Haley said the contributions support training and professional development for tutors and Supplemental Instruction leaders, strengthening the programming they provide to students.

One gift was especially meaningful because it came from a school psychologist who was not directly connected to the center but recognized the impact of its work. “That was really touching,” Dr. Haley said.

The Learning Center also finished second in the leaderboard competition for nonacademic, nonathletic units, earning additional support for its work.

Mock Trial Builds Skills—and Opportunity

 The Mock Trial Association also benefited from One Ball State Day, raising more than $3,900 from more than 45 donors during its first year participating in the event.

The registered student organization simulates the American legal system, helping students develop critical-thinking, teamwork, public-speaking, and professional skills. Students prepare a case, assume attorney and witness roles, and compete against teams from other universities. The organization is advised by Kate Guerrero and Joey Maple.

“Mock Trial is for everyone,” said former association president Brynn Hensley, ’26, who now works as a paralegal. “It’s not just for legal studies or political science students.”

Hensley said the experience teaches students how to work both with teammates and with people whose goals differ from their own. For students interested in courtroom careers, she said, few experiences offer better preparation.

The association entered One Ball State Day because it saw an opportunity to engage people whose lives had been shaped by Ball State. The team also won first place in the student organization leaderboard, earning additional funding by making strategic use of giving challenges.

Professor Maple said the students closely tracked opportunities for gifts to be doubled. Professor Guerrero said they also took ownership of the social media campaign and created videos that helped build enthusiasm.

Funds raised through One Ball State Day will help cover travel expenses and allow more students to participate in competitions.

“Fundraising was really about ensuring students aren’t denied Mock Trial Association opportunities based on financial status,” Hensley said.

For Hensley, the campaign was also a chance to showcase the talent within the University.

“I really wanted to show these big schools that Ball State is awesome,” she said. “Ball State has immense talent. It is such a gem.”

Year after year, alumni, parents, employees, friends, and students continue building a culture of generosity that benefits today’s Cardinals and future generations.

Hear more stories of philanthropy, community, and Cardinal pride on the 2025-2026 Foundation Annual Report.