Help support student voices today! - Student Media & Agency Fund #4907

In 1922, the student newspaper was known as The Easterner. Times have certainly changed. What was once the "Normal School" is now Ball State University, and The Easterner has transformed into a dynamic and award-winning student media program that we call Unified Media. Today, this program includes not just a newspaper, but a magazine, a television station, a weather team, an arts and culture team, multiple podcasts, and a full-service public relations, marketing, and advertising agency.

All of these groups are consistently recognized among the best in the nation, earning top awards and producing graduates who are highly sought after across Indiana and beyond. The Unified Media team provides students with invaluable, hands-on experiences that extend beyond the classroom—offering professional development, networking opportunities, and real-world learning through travel and industry engagement. The repetitions and skills they put into practice in the lab help them become the next wave of storytellers.

While Unified Media is primarily funded through advertising and creative service sales via its partner, McKinley Avenue, gifts from alumni and friends make a vital difference in what our student publications are able to achieve year after year. These contributions support essential resources like cutting-edge equipment, travel opportunities, and student awards—enhancing education and ensuring that students gain the best possible experience.

Every donation to Fund #4907 directly supports the next generation of media professionals. With your help, students gain access to industry-leading technology, invaluable mentorship, and opportunities that shape them into the journalists of tomorrow. 

Thank you for your support!

Help the Daily News cover the news far and wide – Daily News Travel Fund #4908 

For over a century, Ball State Daily News staffers have been uncovering and telling the stories that matter—to students, faculty, staff, and the greater Muncie community. They break campus news, investigate critical issues, and bring attention to topics that impact Ball State and beyond.

One standout example is the Partnership Project, a first-of-its-kind initiative by the Daily News team that highlights the experiences of Muncie Community Schools’ parents, students, and teachers, as well as the district’s collaboration with Ball State University toward a shared future. This impactful work was nationally recognized in the August 2022 edition of Washington Monthly’s College Guide.

Our student journalists go wherever the news takes them—gaining real-world experience that even many professionals don’t encounter. Thanks to past donations, Daily News reporters had the opportunity to travel to Knoxville to cover Ball State football’s matchup against the University of Tennessee, providing firsthand coverage and reflections from the field.

But their work extends far beyond sports. From an exclusive conversation with former First Lady Michelle Obama to covering visits to Indiana by Vice President Mike Pence and President Donald Trump, our students strive to be where the stories unfold. These immersive experiences prepare them for the fast-paced world of journalism, equipping them with invaluable on-the-job training.

Individually and collectively, our students are recognized as some of the best in the country, consistently earning top national awards. Upon graduation, they become highly sought-after professionals across Indiana and beyond.

With your support, we can continue to provide these transformative opportunities—ensuring our students have the resources to chase the stories that matter and gain the experience that shapes them into the journalists of tomorrow.