Diversity is a priority at Ball State, and black alumni want to show that we are one united front on One Ball State Day! Representing all BSU black alumni, the Black Alumni Constituent Society's (BACS) mission includes engaging alumni by providing social and informative events, mentoring black students, and encouraging gifts to support scholarships to benefit these students and BACS programming. The BACS strives to help students become global citizens and leaders in the 21st century and to nurture transformative, lifelong relationships with the Ball State University community. To accomplish these goals, the BACS has created an endowed scholarship to assist minority students who meet academic criteria and have financial need, and book scholarships for those with financial need to pay ever-increasing textbook costs. For this current school year, the BACS has awarded 49 student scholarships totaling over $13,000.
“The Black Alumni Constituent Society has truly been a tremendous blessing in my life. These distinguished individuals rally together to support black students and alumni in many ways. They advocate for supporting current students financially, and over the past two years, I have received two scholarships from BACS. I was awestruck by their beneficence! They believed in me even when I failed to do so myself. After a difficult, less-than-promising sophomore year, I acquired subpar grades, an ungrateful attitude, and a constant desire for my late mother to be by my side. Nevertheless, I was informed about the BACS scholarships and submitted my application. To my surprise, a congratulatory email found its way to my inbox. Although the BACS provides financial assistance, they have poured into me in so many other ways and asked me to be a Student Representative on their board this year. These alumni invested in a young woman who did not have much more than a dream and a broken heart when they selected me. They have worked to connect me with other insurance professionals in their networks, and often tell me to inform them when I need help. As a Risk Management and Insurance major, I will use my degree to help others. My goal is to become a Chief Risk Officer one day and ensure that corporations show the same care and compassion to others that I have been shown by my fellow board members. Ironically enough, care and compassion sum up what the BACS, their scholarships, kindness, and generosity mean to me. I have a bright future!” -Bria Matemane, 2019 Ball State graduate.
The BACS hosts these programs for alumni engagement and education: a biennial reunion, Homecoming tailgate, Celebration of Unity (Fundraising) Concert, a networking reception for scholarship recipients and board, and it collaborates with the African American Studies Faculty. Each of these programs contains components of philanthropy, sharing the needs and how to participate. The BACS is passionate about these opportunities to give back to Ball State so that others can fly toward a more successful future!
