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One Ball State Day 2026
Elementary Education
There isn't much time left!
18
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08
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Elementary Education
Support the Next Generation of Elementary Educators
An elementary school teacher does more than teach reading and math, they help shape future leaders. At Ball State, we prepare elementary educators who are culturally responsive, community-engaged, and committed to social justice.
Your investment directly supports the hands-on experiences that transform our teacher candidates into confident, capable classroom leaders.
How Your Gift Makes an Impact
Your support empowers elementary education (ELED) students to engage in meaningful, real-world learning experiences that prepare them for today’s classrooms and tomorrow’s challenges:
- Service Learning & Community Engagement - Teacher candidates serve in schools and community organizations as part of their coursework, strengthening local partnerships while gaining valuable experience.
- Emerging Instructional Technology & Media - Beginning in their first year, students learn to integrate innovative technologies and media into instruction. Your support sustains workshops, professional development events, book studies, and faculty-student technology initiatives that prepare candidates for 21st-century classrooms.
- Immersive Learning Opportunities - Students begin working directly with children and educators in their first year, participating in immersive projects that blend theory with practice.
- Living-Learning Communities - First-year teacher candidates benefit from peer mentoring, early professional development, and intentional community-building experiences that foster academic and personal success.
- College Mentors for Kids - Through mentorship programs, our candidates work with local Muncie elementary students, building relationships while developing leadership skills.
- Professional Development & Travel Opportunities
Gifts help expand opportunities for conference presentations, national and international study experiences (including England, Texas, and Germany), and faculty collaboration, broadening perspectives and strengthening instructional expertise.
- Urban School Program
Candidates spend a semester teaching and learning in the MSD of Wayne Township (Indianapolis), gaining valuable experience in diverse, high-impact school settings.
Real-World Preparation. Proven Results.
Our program emphasizes immersive, community-connected learning. Students collaborate with museums, childcare centers, community agencies, and Professional Development Schools across the region.
From their first year through student teaching, candidates work directly alongside experienced elementary educators in authentic classroom environments.
The results speak for themselves: our graduates achieve a 93 percent placement rate, guided by dedicated faculty recognized among the best in their fields nationwide.
Your Gift Extends Our Reach
Your generosity ensures that Ball State elementary teacher candidates can continue working with children and educators across Indiana, the United States, and around the world.
When you give, you are not only supporting a student, you are strengthening classrooms, communities, and the future of education.
Thank you for investing in the next generation of elementary educators.
Share your Cardinal pride using #OneBallState
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 | 29 |
| 2 | $2,000 | Indiana Academy | 15 |
| 3 | $1,000 | Field Hockey | 11 |
| 4 | $500 | School of Music | 9 |
| 5 | Communication Studies | 6 | |
| 6 | Department of Marketing | 5 | |
| 7 | Special Education | 4 | |
| 8 | Center for Information & Communication Sciences | 4 | |
| 9 | School of Earth, Atmosphere, and Sustainability | 3 | |
| 10 | School of Journalism and Strategic Communication | 3 | |
| 11 | Undergraduate Research & Creative Project Support | 3 | |
| 12 | University Libraries | 3 | |
| 13 | Biology | 3 | |
| 14 | Rinker Center for Global Affairs | 3 | |
| 15 | Ball State University Police Department | 3 |
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 | 40 |
| 2 | Teachers College | 29 | |
| 3 | College of Sciences and Humanities | 18 | |
| 4 | Miller College of Business | 15 | |
| 5 | College of Communication, Information, and Media | 15 | |
| 6 | College of Health | 6 | |
| 7 | Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning | 3 |
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 | 45 |
| 2 | $3,000 | Communication Studies | 31 |
| 3 | $1,000 | School of Music | 14 |
| 4 | Center for Information & Communication Sciences | 7 | |
| 5 | Special Education | 5 | |
| 6 | Department of Marketing | 5 | |
| 7 | Biology | 4 | |
| 8 | School of Earth, Atmosphere, and Sustainability | 3 | |
| 9 | School of Journalism and Strategic Communication | 3 | |
| 10 | Early Childhood, Youth, and Family Studies | 3 | |
| 11 | Accounting | 2 | |
| 12 | Department of Media | 2 | |
| 13 | Chemistry | 2 | |
| 14 | Counseling Psych, Social Psych, and Counseling | 2 | |
| 15 | Elementary Education | 2 |
Who is giving?
Which part of the Ball State family is making the biggest impact on One Ball State Day?
| Rank | Answer | Donors |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alumni | 74 |
| 2 | Employee | 41 |
| 3 | Student | 26 |
| 4 | Parent | 25 |
| 5 | Friend | 7 |
| 6 | Young Alumni (2016-2026) | 5 |
| 7 | Emeritus/Retired | 3 |
| 8 | Indiana Academy Alum | 2 |
| 9 | Burris Alum | 1 |
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Most Student Donor Challenge
Most Student Donor Challenge
The top 3 areas with most student donors will be awarded $2,000, $1,000 and $500.
Results will be finalized after OBSD to ensure accuracy of student donors.
Dash & Splash Leaderboard
Dash & Splash participant who raises the most between 12–1 p.m. will win $1,000 for the fund they’re racing for.
Fund
(28)
Starts in
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 | -92.08% |
$3,631.04
goal: $45,819.00
|
| 2 | $2,000 | College of Sciences and Humanities | -96.53% |
$2,107.78
goal: $60,811.00
|
| 3 | $1,000 | College of Fine Arts | -97.05% |
$4,145.20
goal: $140,480.00
|
| 4 | $500 | Miller College of Business | -97.32% |
$3,340.26
goal: $124,491.00
|
| 5 | College of Communication, Information, and Media | -98.66% |
$907.52
goal: $67,835.00
|
|
| 6 | Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning | -99.46% |
$200.00
goal: $37,280.00
|
|
| 7 | College of Health | -99.56% |
$265.78
goal: $60,194.00
|
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Student Donor Challenge
Student Donor Challenge
5 randomly selected student donors will receive $250 to designate to the fund of their choice.
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First Time Donor Challenge
First Time Donor Challenge
Five randomly selected first time donors will receive $250 to designate to the fund of their choice.
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First Time Donor Challenge
First Time Donor Challenge
The area with most first time donors (academic, non-academic, & athletics) will receive $1,000 in challenge funds.
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First 5 Academic Departments
First 5 Academic Departments
The first 5 academic departments to receive a gift will each receive $500 in challenge funds.
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First International Alum Challenge
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.
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Last Four Challenge
Last Four Challenge
The last student, employee, parent, and alumni donor will each receive $250 given to the fund their gift went to.
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Ambassador Challenge
Ambassador Challenge
The area that has the most social media ambassadors sign up will receive $500 in challenge funds.
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.
Unit/Area/Department
(125)
Starts in
Afternoon Leaderboard
The five departments/areas/programs with the most donors between 3-5 p.m. will each receive $1,000 in challenge dollars.
Department
(125)
Starts in
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 | 29 |
| 2 | $1,000 | Indiana Academy | 15 |
| 3 | $1,000 | Field Hockey | 11 |
| 4 | $1,000 | School of Music | 9 |
| 5 | $1,000 | Communication Studies | 6 |
| 6 | Department of Marketing | 5 | |
| 7 | Special Education | 4 | |
| 8 | Center for Information & Communication Sciences | 4 | |
| 9 | School of Earth, Atmosphere, and Sustainability | 3 | |
| 10 | School of Journalism and Strategic Communication | 3 | |
| 11 | Undergraduate Research & Creative Project Support | 3 | |
| 12 | University Libraries | 3 | |
| 13 | Biology | 3 | |
| 14 | Rinker Center for Global Affairs | 3 | |
| 15 | Ball State University Police Department | 3 |
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Ball State Employee Social Media Challenge
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.
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Social Media Video Share Challenge
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 ❤️
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LinkedIn Challenge
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!
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Paint the U.S. Cardinal Red
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.
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Because of Ball State Video Challenge
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!
Teachers College Unit Leaderboard
The Teachers College unit with the most improved number of gifts from OBSD 2025 will receive $500 for first place, $350 for second place, and $150 for third place from Dean Katrina Bulkley.
| Rank | Prize | Unit | % +/- | Goal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $500 | Early Childhood, Youth, and Family Studies | -92.68% |
3
goal: 41
|
| 2 | $350 | Educational Studies | -93.10% |
2
goal: 29
|
| 3 | $150 | Special Education | -94.32% |
5
goal: 88
|
| 4 | Elementary Education | -94.44% |
2
goal: 36
|
|
| 5 | Indiana Academy | -95.34% |
15
goal: 322
|
|
| 6 | Educational Leadership | -97.62% |
1
goal: 42
|
|
| 7 | Burris Laboratory School | -98.81% |
1
goal: 84
|
|
| 8 | Educational Psychology | -100.00% |
0
goal: 25
|
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Chirp for Elementary Education!
2
Match
Chirp for Elementary Education!
The first $250 given to Elementary Education will be matched dollar for dollar!
$55 MATCHED
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The Elementary Education Challenge
The Elementary Education Challenge
45 gifts to Elementary Education will unlock $1000.
2 / 45 Gifts
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Charlene Alexander Chief Strategy Office Challenge
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.
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 | 40 |
| 2 | $150 | Teachers College | 29 |
| 3 | $100 | College of Sciences and Humanities | 18 |
| 4 | Miller College of Business | 15 | |
| 5 | College of Communication, Information, and Media | 15 | |
| 6 | College of Health | 6 | |
| 7 | Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning | 3 |
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Registrar Staff Challenge
Registrar Staff Challenge
April Hay, University Registrar, will match up to $250 of her staff’s donations during OBSD.
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Match your Gift dollar for dollar!
