Tuition only goes so far when it comes to running a university with a community of more than 20,000. Ball State University relies on alumni donations to supplement tuition and state allocations in order to offer scholarships, update classrooms, provide supplies to professors and so much more.
If you're one of those people with 1,000 excuses of why you'll never give back to the university, save your time and stop reading now.
For the rest of you, think about the last time your professor showed you a video clip through a projector in class. That technology upgrade is more than likely from money in the university's general fund - not your tuition.
Many scholarships are supplemented by alumni donations, allowing the university to give more students scholarships and hand out larger awards.
These are just two of the many places alumni donations can go. The money covers the smallest convenience to the biggest update.
If you're still not convinced, think about a time you struggled financially and what you had to do to make it through. Maybe you headed down to BioLife and gave plasma. Maybe you bought that bargain basement frozen dinner instead of eating in the Atrium. Think about how far just $20 more a week would help you right now. Then think about if you and 10 of your friends were to give $50 once a year and the money went to a student scholarship. That's one more future Ball State student who won't have to face the financial challenges you faced.
Maybe you won a scholarship that allowed you to join a student organization instead of having to work nights at Bracken Library.
Most students have found a place here where they've really benefited. That might be a particular student organization, a department or a campus office. Direct your money toward that cause, where you know what is needed and the kinds of people who will be benefiting from your gift.
If you're worried your money will be piddled away to an unworthy cause, tell the university exactly where you want it to go.
When you get out of school and into your first job, endowing a scholarship probably isn't an option. But think about how far $10 from everyone you graduated with would go to helping improve students' college experience. Maybe you won't be in the position to give your first year out of college. Maybe you won't be able to give for your first 10 years. But, at some point, look back and remember what Ball State has meant to you and what really made your time here enjoyable. Then think about sending a check back to your alma mater.
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