The Bowen Center for Public Affairs was founded in 2007 to honor the integrity and leadership of Dr. Otis R. Bowen, Indiana’s 44th Governor and 16th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under President Ronald Reagan.
2025 brings a significant change to the Center, with a new Executive Director and a renewed focus on serving the students of Ball State and citizens of Indiana through our mission to advance civic literacy, community involvement, public service, and nonpartisan government research to make a difference for you and your community.
Your donation will help enable programming that:
- Inspires public service
- Helps Ball State students acquire and participate in government internships successfully
- Promotes nonpartisan government research via the Hoosier Survey and other projects
- Expands community outreach around the Ball State area
- Creates thoughtful political dialogue and collaborative solutions to the problems facing us
Hoosier Survey:
The Bowen Center for Public Affairs at Ball State University conducts the annual Ball State University Hoosier Survey to provide Indiana policymakers with a measure of public opinion on current issues facing our state and nation. This non-partisan public policy survey is designed to take the pulse of the state with regard to the most pressing issues facing Hoosiers. The results are delivered to every member of the Indiana General Assembly at the beginning of the calendar year so that lawmakers can gauge public views about issues they are likely to face in the coming session. The Hoosier Survey has attracted national attention and received coverage in national media outlets as well as professional conferences.
Bowen Institute on Political Participation:
For nearly 40 years, nominees from around the state have been invited to attend the Bowen Institute on Political Participation, a weekend session that deepens participants’ understanding of politics and political management. Leaders from civic organizations, business, and education have come together to share and gain insight into topics including political activism, campaign techniques, and ethics. We are currently revamping this program to ensure it continues to effectively prepare participants for our rapidly evolving political environment.
We need your support to continue this meaningful work that offers objective guidance about public policy issues, helps to train the next generation of government officials and staff, and engages citizens in the political process and promotes community dialogue.
We thank you for your commitment to the Bowen Center for Public Affairs and your support of programs and services designed to enhance the student experience on campus. We are grateful to our donors whose support directly provides student scholarships, engaging events, and nonpartisan political programming to our students. These gifts are as invaluable as the experiences they provide.
Thank you,
Andrew Bauman ‘06
Executive Director, The Bowen Center for Public Affairs
