Missed One Ball State Day? Click here to make an impact!
$ 1,426,040 raised 7,410 gifts
Finance and Insurance has raised $ 5,850 from 23 gifts!
Finance and Insurance

The Dean J. B. Black Fund

The J.B. Black Fund honors Dean Emeritus J.B. Black and his enduring commitment to preparing students for meaningful careers in business. Serving as Dean of the Miller College of Business from 1973 to 1984, Dean Black championed academic rigor, professional preparation, and student achievement—principles that continue to shape our finance and insurance programs today.

In an increasingly competitive marketplace, industry-recognized credentials are more than résumé enhancements—they are signals of expertise, discipline, and readiness. For students pursuing careers in finance and risk management and insurance, designations and certifications can accelerate job placement, strengthen employer confidence, and increase long-term earning potential.

The J.B. Black Fund helps remove financial barriers that stand between students and these credentials. The fund supports comprehensive review programs—offered in the summer and online—to prepare students and alumni for industry-recognized examinations. It also provides scholarships to offset testing fees, ensuring that cost does not prevent qualified students from pursuing professional advancement. 

For alumni, this fund is an opportunity to invest in the next generation of Cardinals entering your profession. For corporate partners, it is a strategic investment in a stronger talent pipeline—graduates who arrive better prepared, credentialed, and equipped to contribute from day one. 

By making a gift to the J.B. Black Fund, you continue a legacy rooted in excellence and ensure that Miller College students graduate with both academic knowledge and recognized professional credentials. Your support directly strengthens workforce readiness and reinforces the standard of quality associated with a Miller business education.


Additional Ways to Support Finance and Insurance Students

Donors may also contribute to:

  • Finance Program Fund – supports programmatic priorities, experiential learning, and emerging initiatives.
  • Risk Management and Insurance Program Fund – supports priorities such as industry engagement, student development, and specialized programming.
  • Finance and Insurance Scholarships Fund – provides support such as direct financial assistance to students pursuing degrees in these disciplines.

Each fund plays a distinct role in advancing student success and strengthening the future of the profession.

Share your Cardinal pride using #OneBallState
Leaderboard
Morning Leaderboard
The four departments/units/teams with the most donors by 10 a.m. receives $3,000, $2,000, $1,000, and $500 in challenge funds.
Rank Prize Department/Unit/Team Donors
1 $3,000 Theatre & Dance 131
2 $2,000 Indiana Academy 86
3 $1,000 Field Hockey 70
4 $500 Communication Studies 56
5 Football 48
Ended
Leaderboard
College Donor Leaderboard
The college that has the most donors by midnight will receive $5,000 in challenge funds.
Rank Prize Department Donors
1 $5,000 College of Fine Arts 723
2 Teachers College 670
3 College of Communication, Information, and Media 512
4 Miller College of Business 429
5 College of Sciences and Humanities 399
Ended
Leaderboard
Academic Department Gift Leaderboard
The three academic departments with the most gifts by midnight receive $5,000, $3,000 and $1,000 in challenge funds.
Rank Prize Department Gifts
1 $5,000 Theatre & Dance 699
2 $3,000 Communication Studies 290
3 $1,000 School of Music 204
4 Accounting 158
5 Center for Information & Communication Sciences 111
Ended
Leaderboard
Who is giving?
Which part of the Ball State family is making the biggest impact on One Ball State Day?
What is your affiliation to Ball State University
Rank Answer Donors
1 Alumni 2,210
2 Friend 911
3 Employee 828
4 Parent 712
5 Student 441
6 Young Alumni (2016-2026) 242
7 Indiana Academy Alum 112
8 Emeritus/Retired 71
9 Burris Alum 15
Ended
Leaderboard
College Leaderboard
The four colleges with the biggest percentage of money raised from OBSD 2025 will receive $3,000, $2,000 and $1,000 and $500.
Rank Prize College % +/- Goal
1 $3,000 Teachers College +260.28% $165,077.10
goal: $45,819.00
2 $2,000 College of Health +56.82% $94,393.86
goal: $60,194.00
3 $1,000 College of Sciences and Humanities +14.83% $69,831.79
goal: $60,811.00
4 $500 College of Fine Arts +14.02% $160,177.42
goal: $140,480.00
5 Miller College of Business +7.52% $133,851.87
goal: $124,491.00
Ended
Success!
Student Donor Challenge
5 randomly selected student donors will receive $250 to designate to the fund of their choice.
Completed
Success!
The First Four Challenge
The first student, employee, parent, and alumni donor will each receive $250 given to the fund their gift went to.
Completed
Success!
First 5 Academic Departments
The first 5 academic departments to receive a gift will each receive $500 in challenge funds.
Completed
Success!
First International Alum Challenge
The first international alum to make a gift from abroad on One Ball State Day will get $500 in challenge funds designated to the fund their gift went to.
Completed
Leaderboard
10AM—Noon Leaderboard
The five units/areas/teams that raise the most money from 10 a.m. — Noon each receive $1,000 in challenge funds.
Rank Prize Unit/Area/Department Raised
1 $1,000 Men's Golf $16,157.00
2 $1,000 Gymnastics $5,392.34
3 $1,000 Field Hockey $5,165.00
4 $1,000 Theatre & Dance $4,556.64
5 $1,000 Indiana Academy $4,537.08
Ended
Leaderboard
Afternoon Leaderboard
The five departments/areas/programs with the most donors between 3-5 p.m. will each receive $1,000 in challenge dollars.
Rank Prize Department Donors
1 $1,000 Theatre & Dance 59
2 $1,000 Field Hockey 59
3 $1,000 Indiana Academy 53
4 $1,000 Communication Studies 38
5 $1,000 Soccer 36
Ended
Leaderboard
Most Donors - Unit Leaderboard
The five departments/areas/programs with the most donors by midnight will each receive $1,000
Rank Prize Department Donors
1 $1,000 Theatre & Dance 517
2 $1,000 Indiana Academy 310
3 $1,000 Field Hockey 232
4 $1,000 Gymnastics 190
5 $1,000 Communication Studies 183
Ended
Success!
Ball State Employee Social Media Challenge
Faculty and staff social media challenge! Share a photo of your 'Because of Ball State' postcard to share how Ball State has shaped who you are today—or what you and your area have been able to accomplish because of Ball State. Be sure to stamp your post with #OneBallState and #BecauseOfBallState. Two random participants will get to donate $500 in challenge funds toward their favorite area.
Completed
Success!
Social Media Video Share Challenge
Share any of the One Ball State Day videos on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram Stories, or TikTok using #OneBallState for a chance to earn extra challenge dollars. Two participants will get to donate $500 to their favorite area. Tag @BSUFoundation or @BallStateAlumni ❤️
Completed
Success!
LinkedIn Challenge
Share a One Ball State Day post on LinkedIn on April 1st for a chance to designate $1,000 to your favorite Ball State area! Use #OneBallState and tag the Ball State Foundation!
Completed
Success!
Paint the U.S. Cardinal Red
Paint the U.S. Cardinal Red. Gifts from all 50 states will unlock $5,000 from the Alumni Council to Ball States greatest needs.
Completed
Success!
Because of Ball State Video Challenge
Share your “Because of Ball State” video with #OneBallState for a chance to win $1,000 in challenge dollars to support the area of your choice. We’ll select three winners!
Completed
$1,000
$20,000 MCOB Dean's Challenge
$20,000 in gifts to Miller College will unlock $1,000 in challenge money from Cathy DuBois, Bryan Dean of Miller College, to be designated to the Miller College Study Away and Abroad fund.
$20,000 / $20,000 Raised
Completed
Leaderboard
Miller College Department Leaderboard
The Miller College academic department with the largest percentage increase in donations compared to last year’s One Ball State Day will unlock a $1,000 gift from Cathy DuBois, Bryan Dean of Miller College.
Rank Prize Department % +/- Goal
1 $1,000 Department of Marketing +378.57% 67
goal: 14
2 MBA | Master of Business Administration +66.67% 15
goal: 9
3 Center for Business and Economic Research +30.00% 13
goal: 10
4 Economics +20.00% 18
goal: 15
5 Accounting +8.97% 158
goal: 145
Ended
$5,000
50 Gifts by Noon for MCOB
If Miller College receives 50 gifts by noon, it will unlock $5,000 from Jason Harrington, '95, for the Miller College general fund.
50 / 50 Gifts
Completed
$2,500
250 MCOB Gifts Challenge
If Miller College receives 250 gifts on One Ball State Day, it will unlock an extra $2,500 from Larry Metzing, '70, to the Miller College of Business General Fund.
250 / 250 Gifts
Completed
$1,200
75 Gifts by 3 p.m. for Miller College
If Miller College receives 75 gifts by 3 p.m., it unlocks a $1,200 challenge from Gary Gatton, '85, toward the MCOB EAB Master Teacher Fellowships Fund.
75 / 75 Gifts
Completed
$1,000
Finance and Insurance Scholarships Match
30 Gifts to Insurance and Finance Department will unlock $1,000 for the Finance and Insurance Scholarships Fund.
Completed
$1,500
Elevate Claims Solutions Finance and Insurance Challenge
15 donors to the Department of Finance and Insurance will unlock $1,500 to the Insurance Program Fund.
15 / 15 Donors
Completed
Success!
Charlene Alexander Chief Strategy Office Challenge
Dr. Charlene Alexander, Chief Strategy Officer, will give $600 to the Chief Strategy Office Unit that generates $600 in gifts on One Ball State Day.
Completed
Leaderboard
Provost Marri College Challenge
Top 3 colleges in number of donors will unlock $250 for 1st place, $150 for 2nd place and $100 for 3rd place from Provost Marri.
Rank Prize Department Donors
1 $250 College of Fine Arts 723
2 $150 Teachers College 670
3 $100 College of Communication, Information, and Media 512
4 Miller College of Business 429
5 College of Sciences and Humanities 399
Ended
Success!
Registrar Staff Challenge
April Hay, University Registrar, will match up to $250 of her staff’s donations during OBSD.
Completed
Don't forget to share!

Questions? See our FAQ.

Or you can contact us at oneballstateday@bsu.edu.