Bowen Center for Public Affairs

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,

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Andrew Bauman ‘06

Executive Director, The Bowen Center for Public Affairs

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Event
Early Bird Challenge
Rise and shine! The first student, employee, parent, and graduate who give will earn $250 extra for the fund they supported.
Event
Race to Give Challenge
The first 2 academic departments and the first 2 sports teams to receive a gift will each receive $500 in challenge funds.
Leaderboard
Morning Leaderboard Challenge
The three areas with the most donors by 10 a.m. will receive $3,000, $2,000, and $1,000 in challenge funds.
Units, Funds, & Programs (130)
Leaderboard
5pm Donor Leaderboard
The four units with the most donors by 5 p.m. will each receive $500.
Unit (129)
Event
Young Alumni Giving Challenge
When ten young alumni give by Noon, YAC President Giang Petroviak, will donate $200 to the Young Alumni Council Student Leadership Scholarship fund.
Event
Selfie Challenge
Post a One Ball State Day selfie with #OneBallState and earn $250 for the fund of your choice! We'll choose one random winner at 1 p.m.!
Leaderboard
Donor Leaderboard
The five units with the most donors by midnight will each receive $1,000.
Unit (130)
Event
Social Media Video Challenge
Post a One Ball State Day video on social media with #OneBallState. We'll select two random participants, and they'll get to designate $500 to the fund of their choice! Winners will be chosen at 9am and 3pm!
Event
Monthly Donor Challenge
Help us get to 100 monthly donors by midnight! Two recurring donors will be randomly selected and earn $250 for the fund their gift was to.
Leaderboard
College Donor Leaderboard
The college that has the most donors by midnight will receive $5,000 in challenge funds.
College (8)
Event
Faculty and staff social media challenge!
Share a photo of your OBSD postcard so everyone knows what you’re supporting on OBSD. Be sure to stamp your post with #OneBallState. Two random participants will get to donate $500 in challenge funds toward their favorite area. We'll choose a winner at 7pm!
Event
First Time Donor Challenge
The unit with the most first time alumni donors will receive $1,000.
Event
Paint the U.S. Cardinal Red
Gifts from all 50 states will unlock $1,918 to support the Ball State Fund.
Leaderboard
College Gift Increase Leaderboard
The three colleges with the biggest percentage of increased gifts from OBSD 2024 will receive $3,000, $2,000 and $1000.
College (8)
Event
OBSD Video Challenge
We’re randomly selecting two One Ball State Day videos posted on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram with #OneBallState. Two lucky winners will each get to donate $500 to the area of their choice! Be sure to tag @BSUFoundation and use #OneBallState. Winners will be chosen at 8 p.m.!
Event
Name That Goose Challenge
Honk honk! The two most creative goose names will each earn $500 for the fund of their choice! Get creative and post your goose name with #OneBallState and #HonkHonk on social media. Winners will be selected at Noon and 10:30 p.m.!
$250
Dave Largent Computer Science Challenge
When Computer Science donations reach $4,500, Professor Largent will wear his hair in pigtails for a day later in the spring semester, and when they reach $6,000, he will also contribute $250.
$6,000 Goal
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Leaderboard
Provost Marri College Leaderboard Challenge
The three colleges with the most donors will unlock an additional $250 for 1st place, $150 for 2nd place and $100 for 3rd place from Provost Anand Marri.
Department (8)
Event
LinkedIn Challenge
Share a One Ball State Day post on LinkedIn on April 1st or April 2nd for a chance to designate $500 to your favorite Ball State area! Must use #OneBallState and tag the Ball State Foundation!
Event
Graduates of the Last Decade Challenge
In honor of 10 years of the Young Alumni Council, 250 gifts from graduates of the last decade to any University Fund unlocks a $250 donation from the Young Alumni council to the Student Leadership fund.
Event
Foundation Employee Giving Challenge
100% participation of Foundation employees unlocks $500 from Foundation and BSUAA President Jean Crosby towards the Ball State Fund.
Event
EPM Employee Challenge
VP for Enrollment Planning and Management Paula Luff will match dollars raised from EPM employees, up to $500, to the Jack Beyerl Student Emergency Aid Fund.
Event
International Alum Challenge
The first international alum to make a gift on One Ball State Day will earn $500 in challenge funds for the fund they supported.
Event
Closing Time Challenge
The last student, employee, parent, and alumni donor will each earn $250 for the program they supported.
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