This scholarship is being established in recognition of Dr. Dolon's contributions to Ball State, the department, and students throughout his career. He joined the faculty in 1971 and has been teaching students the fundamental skills needed to practice social work throughout his time within the department. Nearly every graduate of our program has had Dr. Dolon at some point in their time within the major. His research focuses on interpersonal violence, humor as stress management, and older adults. This fund would be used to provide financial assistance to students in our graduate program who choose to focus on working with older adults.
Guardian Scholars Program
The Guardian Scholars Program is designed for Ball State students who have experienced foster care. The Guardian Scholars program provides not only scholarship support but also a variety of postsecondary support and referral services to help recipients achieve their goal of a baccalaureate degree. Currently, only 1/3 of Guardian Scholars receive scholarship support from our program. We utilize grants and donations to provide student support services and scholarships for this vulnerable population. Nationally, less than 13% of foster care students will enroll in college while less than 2% of students from the foster care system graduate with a baccalaureate degree. Our program seeks to eliminate these barriers for students in the foster care system by providing services like academic coaching, events, and activities that focus on academic and social integration (which have a positive impact on retention and graduation).
Your support will help students like Savannah (above), who was a Guardian Scholar and scholarship recipient, as she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biology with three concentrations in Zoology, Wildlife Biology and Conservation, and Field Botany in Spring 2018. She is now working as a Naturalist for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Guardian Scholars program helped Savannah earn an additional $19,000 in scholarship funding, complete four internships, and receive 13 awards and recognition. She stays connected as an alumnus of Ball State and the Guardian Scholars program, being a role model and advocate for her peers that also experienced time in the foster care system.
Peers like Amanda, a current Guardian Scholars student and scholarship recipient, who is a third-year Nursing student in the College of Health. It is with the support of donors and alumni that students from foster care can graduate with a successful future.
Please consider making a contribution to provide additional scholarship opportunities and student support services to the remaining Guardian Scholars students!
