Economics

Invest in the Future of Economics Students at Ball State

The Department of Economics is committed to fostering student learning and engagement—both inside and outside the classroom. Your generous support directly impacts our students by sustaining and expanding opportunities that prepare them for meaningful careers and lifelong success.

Empowering Students Through Hands-On Learning

Miller College Students at the Federal Reserve Bank in Chicago
Our economics students gain real-world experience by competing in the National Fed College Challenge, where faculty mentors train them to think and analyze like policymakers. Each fall, students travel to Chicago to present monetary policy recommendations, honing their analytical and communication skills in a high-stakes environment.

Econ in Motion: Bringing Economics to Life
Led by Dr. Cecil Bohanon, Econ in Motion allows students to write, direct, and produce films that illustrate economic concepts. These student-created films—some of which have been featured at film festivals—range from short educational clips to in-depth documentaries on topics like the Scottish Enlightenment and the Dutch Tulip Bulb Mania. Check out their work on YouTube!

Miller College Students at the Federal Reserve Bank in Chicago

Expanding Research and Professional Opportunities

Students collaborate with professors on research projects and present at major conferences in cities like Chicago and Las Vegas. The expansion of the Buchanan Scholar Program now provides paid research opportunities, allowing more students to dive deeper into political economy topics and gain valuable hands-on experience.

The Economics Club connects classroom learning to the real world through guest speakers, networking events, and the highlight of the year—an annual trip to the Indiana Statehouse. This experience allows students to engage directly with policymakers and see how economic principles influence law and public policy.



The Institute for the Study of Political Economy (ISPE), under the leadership of Dr. David Mitchell, brings in distinguished scholars, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders who challenge students to explore the complexities of markets, public policy, and business ethics. Students also engage in exclusive lunch discussions with these experts, gaining valuable insights and professional connections. Most recently, ISPE hosted Frederick Douglass Jazz Works, an inspiring presentation by Ruth Naomi Floyd that explored themes of perseverance and triumph through Douglass’s own words.

Your Gift Makes a Difference

These transformative experiences are made possible by your support. Your gift ensures that our students continue to have access to research opportunities, professional development, and hands-on learning experiences that set them apart in today’s competitive job market.

One Ball State Day is your opportunity to make an immediate impact. A donation—of any amount—helps provide students with the tools, mentorship, and real-world experiences they need to thrive.

Make your gift today and invest in the next generation of economists. Thank you for your generosity!








Share on social with #OneBallState
Give Now
Early Bird Challenge
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.
Give Now
Race to Give Challenge
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.
Rank Prize Units, Funds, & Programs Donors
1 $3,000 Theatre & Dance 27
2 $2,000 Indiana Academy 12
3 $1,000 Special Education 5
4 Proud Ball State Parents & Families 4
5 Educational Leadership 3
Event
Morning Giveaway Challenge
From 8 - 11 a.m., five donors will be selected at random and $1,000 will be given to the fund their most recent gift went to.
Starts in
Event
Ball State Employee Challenge
A random Ball State employee will earn $250 for the fund they supported from 10-11 a.m.
Starts in
Leaderboard
Brunch Leaderboard
The five areas that raise the most money from 10 a.m. - Noon will each receive $1,000 in challenge funds.
Department (129)
Starts in
Leaderboard
5pm Donor Leaderboard
The four units with the most donors by 5 p.m. will each receive $500.
Rank Prize Unit Donors
1 $500 Theatre & Dance 27
2 $500 Indiana Academy 12
3 $500 Special Education 5
4 $500 Proud Ball State Parents & Families 4
5 Educational Leadership 3
Give Now
Young Alumni Giving Challenge
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.
Give Now
Selfie Challenge
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.
Rank Prize Unit Donors
1 $1,000 Theatre & Dance 27
2 $1,000 Indiana Academy 12
3 $1,000 Special Education 5
4 $1,000 Proud Ball State Parents & Families 4
5 $1,000 Educational Leadership 3
Give Now
Social Media Video Challenge
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!
Give Now
Monthly Donor Challenge
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.
Rank Prize College Donors
1 $5,000 College of Fine Arts 31
2 College of Communication, Information, and Media 12
3 Teachers College 10
4 College of Sciences and Humanities 7
5 Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning 4
Give Now
Faculty and staff social media challenge!
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
Power Hour
The area that receives the largest gift between 6 -7p.m. will be awarded an extra $1,000.
Starts in
Give Now
First Time Donor Challenge
Event
First Time Donor Challenge
The unit with the most first time alumni donors will receive $1,000.
Give Now
Paint the U.S. Cardinal Red
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.
Rank Prize College % +/- Goal
1 $3,000 College of Fine Arts -93.49% 62
goal: 953
2 $2,000 Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning -97.44% 4
goal: 156
3 $1,000 College of Communication, Information, and Media -98.21% 15
goal: 840
4 Teachers College -98.34% 15
goal: 903
5 Honors College -98.67% 2
goal: 150
Give Now
OBSD Video Challenge
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.!
Leaderboard
Evening Donor Leaderboard
The five areas with the most donors between 8-10 p.m. will each receive $1,000 in challenge dollars.
Department (129)
Starts in
Give Now
Name That Goose Challenge
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.!
Give Now
Miller College Alumni & Friends Challenge
$1,000
Miller College Alumni & Friends Challenge
$20,000 in gifts to Miller College will unlock $1,000 in challenge money from Cathy DuBois, Bryan Dean of Miller College, to be designated to the Miller College Study Away and Abroad fund.
$225 / $20,000 Raised
Give Now
Economics Department Challenge
$1,000
Economics Department Challenge
If 10 donors contribute to the Economics Department and anonymous donor will donate $1,000 to the department.
0 / 10 Donors
Give Now
Larry Metzing Miller College Challenge
$2,000
Larry Metzing Miller College Challenge
If Miller College receives 200 gifts on One Ball State Day, it will unlock $2,000 from Larry Metzing, ’70, to the Miller College of Business General Fund.
4 / 200 Gifts
Leaderboard
Miller College Donor Leaderboard
The Miller College academic department, which has the largest number of distinct donors from last year, will unlock $1,000 from Cathy DuBois, Bryan Dean of Miller College.
Rank Prize Department % +/- Goal
1 $1,000 MBA | Master of Business Administration -93.75% 1
goal: 16
2 Accounting -98.23% 2
goal: 113
3 Applied Business Studies -100.00% 0
goal: 24
4 Economics -100.00% 0
goal: 9
5 Finance and Insurance -100.00% 0
goal: 18
Give Now
Miller College EAB Giving Challenge
Event
Miller College EAB Giving Challenge
If 100 percent of the Miller College Executive Advisory Board members give on One Ball State Day, it will unlock a $600 challenge from Dick Poppa, '74 to the Miller College of Business General Fund.
Give Now
MCOB Student Giving Challenge
Event
MCOB Student Giving Challenge
Miller College of Business Dean Cathy Dubois will match $500 in funds donated to Miller College from students.
Give Now
Miller College Study Abroad Impact: 75 Gifts to Unlock $5,000
$5,000
Miller College Study Abroad Impact: 75 Gifts to Unlock $5,000
If 75 people give $100 or more to Miller College, Stefan Anderson (HHD '93) will contribute $5,000 to the Miller College Study Away and Abroad Fund.
1 / 75 Donors
Give Now
Mike Earley Giving Challenge for MCOB
$500
Mike Earley Giving Challenge for MCOB
If Miller College receives 175 gifts, it will unlock $500 from Michael Earley,78, to the SOAR Program Fund.
4 / 175 Gifts
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.
Rank Prize Department Donors
1 $250 College of Fine Arts 31
2 $150 College of Communication, Information, and Media 12
3 $100 Teachers College 10
4 College of Sciences and Humanities 7
5 Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning 4
Give Now
LinkedIn Challenge
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!
Give Now
Graduates of the Last Decade Challenge
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.
Give Now
Foundation Employee Giving Challenge
Event
Foundation Employee Giving Challenge
100% participation of Foundation employees unlocks $500 from Foundation and BSUAA President Jean Crosby towards the Ball State Fund.
Give Now
EPM Employee Challenge
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.
Give Now
International Alum Challenge
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.
Give Now
Closing Time Challenge
Event
Closing Time Challenge
The last student, employee, parent, and alumni donor will each earn $250 for the program they supported.
Don't forget to share!

Questions? See our FAQ.

Or you can contact us at oneballstateday@bsu.edu.

Give Now
Help us unlock a $5,000 reward!