One Ball State Day 2026 has ended!
One Ball State Day 2026
Student Emergency Aid Fund
One Ball State Day 2026 has ended!
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Student Emergency Aid Fund
Please join us in making a difference in the lives of Ball State Cardinals by donating to the Jack Beyerl Emergency Aid fund.
The Jack Beyerl Emergency Aid Fund provides financial assistance to Ball State students who experience accidents, illnesses, financial hardships, or other personal emergencies that negatively affect their ability to remain enrolled. Since 2020, Emergency Aid has been used to assist students with books, rent, utilities, food, childcare costs, and so much more. Of those who have received a grant, 85% have graduated or remain enrolled. The Jack Beyerl Emergency Aid Fund is administered and coordinated by the Office of Student Affairs. Traditionally faculty members and student-facing staff members, including academic advisors, counselors, and residence hall directors refer students to the Emergency Aid Fund. The value of the grant is based on a student's specific needs.
The fund is named in honor of Merrill “Jack” Beyerl who enjoyed a distinguished career of 35 years (1953-88) at Ball State where he served in numerous roles. He began his tenure as a faculty in Counseling Psychology and then became Director of the Counseling Center. In 1964, he became Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students, a role he maintained until his retirement in 1988.
"I just wanted to say thank you for your generosity through the Jack Beyerl Emergency Grant at Ball State. Your support helped me at a really important time and helped me handle a stressful, unexpected financial situation.
Because of your kindness, I’ve been able to stay focused on my classes and keep moving toward my goals without as much stress. I’m so grateful that donors like you make it possible for students like me to keep going when things get tough.
Thank you again for your support and for making such a meaningful difference!" Ashlyn, Fall 2025 Grant Recipient
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 | 131 |
| 2 | $2,000 | Indiana Academy | 86 |
| 3 | $1,000 | Field Hockey | 70 |
| 4 | $500 | Communication Studies | 56 |
| 5 | Football | 48 | |
| 6 | Student Emergency Aid Fund | 33 | |
| 7 | Soccer | 31 | |
| 8 | Accounting | 27 | |
| 9 | Gymnastics | 24 | |
| 10 | Rinker Center for Global Affairs | 24 | |
| 11 | School of Music | 23 | |
| 12 | Men's Golf | 21 | |
| 13 | Men's Basketball | 21 | |
| 14 | Men's Tennis | 19 | |
| 15 | Men's Volleyball | 17 |
Ended
Non Academic / Non Athletic Leaderboard
The four non academic/non-athletic areas with the biggest percentage of increased gifts from OBSD 2025 will receive $3,000, $2,000 and $1,000 and $500.
| Rank | Prize | Non-Academic / Non-Athletic Area | % +/- | Goal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3,000 | Proud Ball State Parents & Families | +250.00% |
35
goal: 10
|
| 2 | $2,000 | Learning Center | +140.00% |
48
goal: 20
|
| 3 | $1,000 | Undergraduate Research & Creative Project Support | +81.25% |
29
goal: 16
|
| 4 | $500 | Indiana Public Radio | +43.59% |
56
goal: 39
|
| 5 | Ball State University Police Department | +41.90% |
149
goal: 105
|
|
| 6 | Charles W. Brown Planetarium | +34.48% |
39
goal: 29
|
|
| 7 | University Libraries | +20.51% |
47
goal: 39
|
|
| 8 | Student Voluntary Services | +16.67% |
7
goal: 6
|
|
| 9 | Career Center | +12.50% |
9
goal: 8
|
|
| 10 | Women of Beneficence (Discovery) | +11.54% |
29
goal: 26
|
|
| 11 | Disability Services | +11.11% |
30
goal: 27
|
|
| 12 | Student Emergency Aid Fund | +5.26% |
80
goal: 76
|
|
| 13 | Ball State PBS | -2.56% |
38
goal: 39
|
|
| 14 | Alumni Scholarships | -9.38% |
29
goal: 32
|
|
| 15 | Field Station and Environmental Education Center | -10.00% |
9
goal: 10
|
Ended
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 | 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
The First 5 Non Academic Challenge
The first 5 non-academic department/area/program/team to receive a gift will each receive $500 in challenge funds
Completed
Student Donor Challenge
5 randomly selected student donors will receive $250 to designate to the fund of their choice.
Completed
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
First 5 Academic Departments
The first 5 academic departments to receive a gift will each receive $500 in challenge funds.
Completed
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
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 |
| 6 | Men's Tennis | $3,825.52 | |
| 7 | Women's Volleyball | $3,191.76 | |
| 8 | Communication Studies | $3,185.30 | |
| 9 | Soccer | $3,105.00 | |
| 10 | Football | $2,760.78 | |
| 11 | Accounting | $2,286.04 | |
| 12 | Men's Swimming & Diving | $2,075.26 | |
| 13 | Nutrition & Health Science | $2,045.52 | |
| 14 | Men's Volleyball | $2,041.04 | |
| 15 | Miller College of Business | $1,880.26 |
Ended
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 |
| 6 | Gymnastics | 26 | |
| 7 | Men's Volleyball | 21 | |
| 8 | Accounting | 17 | |
| 9 | Football | 17 | |
| 10 | Men's Tennis | 16 | |
| 11 | Burris Laboratory School | 16 | |
| 12 | Spectrum | 15 | |
| 13 | Ball State University Police Department | 14 | |
| 14 | Cross Country/Track & Field | 13 | |
| 15 | Men's Golf | 12 |
Ended
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 |
| 6 | Football | 143 | |
| 7 | Accounting | 130 | |
| 8 | Soccer | 125 | |
| 9 | School of Music | 121 | |
| 10 | Men's Tennis | 108 | |
| 11 | Cross Country/Track & Field | 95 | |
| 12 | Men's Volleyball | 93 | |
| 13 | Burris Laboratory School | 91 | |
| 14 | Men's Golf | 84 | |
| 15 | Department of Media | 78 |
Ended
Non-Academic/Non-Athletic Evening Leaderboard
The five non-academic/non-athletic areas with the most donors from 6-8 p.m. will each receive $1,000.
| Rank | Prize | Department | Donors |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,000 | Ball State University Police Department | 21 |
| 2 | $1,000 | Registrar | 13 |
| 3 | $1,000 | Mock Trial | 11 |
| 4 | $1,000 | Student Emergency Aid Fund | 10 |
| 5 | $1,000 | Christian Student Foundation | 7 |
| 6 | Ball State Student Media | 6 | |
| 7 | Proud Ball State Parents & Families | 6 | |
| 8 | Women of Beneficence (Discovery) | 5 | |
| 9 | University Libraries | 5 | |
| 10 | Guardian Scholars | 4 | |
| 11 | Cardinal Kitchen | 3 | |
| 12 | Alumni Programs | 3 | |
| 13 | Employee Emergency Fund | 3 | |
| 14 | Housing & Residence Life | 3 | |
| 15 | Rinker Center for Global Affairs | 3 |
Ended
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
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
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
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
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
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
Registrar Staff Challenge
April Hay, University Registrar, will match up to $250 of her staff’s donations during OBSD.
Completed
