The Miller College of Business honored a Ball State University student Thursday night for his efforts to raise money for Hurricane Katrina victims.
Junior Ben Poor was featured at MCOB's Welcome Week activity, "The Miller Experience," on University Green.
While students played Bingo, won prizes and ate free pizza, popcorn and cotton candy, facts about Poor's 820-mile hike to New Orleans were called out during the Bingo game.
Poor was invited to open a booth to help him raise awareness for possible future trips and take donations for Emergency Communities, a non-profit organization provides relief to Katrina victims.
In June, Poor began the 45-day trek from New Palestine, Ind. to New Orleans, he said. When he arrived in New Orleans, Poor said he served dinner to hurricane victims and gutted houses.
Poor said he has raised more than $11,000 for Katrina victims since he started his walk. He said he collected donations from his church and sympathizers he met during his trip.
Emily Walter, MCOB adviser, said Poor is an "exemplary student" whose journey is an inspiration to everyone.
"This was the Miller College of Business' way to honor him, as well as create interest in the college" Walter said.
Poor said he would like to see more people get involved with helping Katrina victims.
"I want people to realize that they can make a difference, just like I did," Poor said. "They can make a little bit of a difference, and together we can make this world a lot better place.
Poor said he plans to do something similar to his hike in the future.
"[I'll do it again] maybe next summer, maybe in a little bit," he said. "I don't know exactly when, but, if it's not a walk, it'll be like a bike ride, definitely something to raise more money for some people."
Poor said there are many worthy causes he could raise money for.
"I might do something for Katrina [victims] again; I'm really not sure," he said. "I'll have to research to see exactly what I wanna do."
Poor's Web site, benswalk.com, features a Web log about his trip and a link to donation sites.
"Any dollar's gonna make a difference, down there [in New Orleans] especially," Poor said.
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