Applied Business Studies

The Department of Applied Business Studies, established in Fall 2020, is dedicated to preparing students for dynamic careers in Fashion Industry Studies, Hospitality Innovation and Leadership, and Property Management. Our student-focused programs provide hands-on, immersive experiences that build the skills necessary for success in today’s industries. Through direct engagement with professionals and strong community involvement, our students gain real-world insights that set them apart.

Make an Impact on One Ball State Day 2025

This year, we’re highlighting a few of our outstanding students who embody what makes our programs unique, impactful, and essential for future industry leaders. Your generosity helps bring their education to life!

Support Fashion Industry Studies

Your gift to the Fashion Industry Studies Program will help support the program’s general operations, including but not limited to activities, advancement, and operational needs. Additionally, your support may help fund opportunities such as student travel for industry field trips, providing real-world exposure that can be financially challenging. With your generosity, we can help remove financial barriers and create opportunities for every student to succeed.

"I love this major because it's a close-knit community of creative and business-savvy students working towards a place in the fashion industry. I chose Ball State because I loved the beautiful campus and small class sizes. In the future, I plan to work in visual merchandising or trend forecasting."
Clare Sexton, Fashion Merchandising Major

Empower Hospitality Innovation and Leadership

Your donation to the  Hospitality Innovation and Leadership Program will help support the program’s general operations, including but not limited to activities, advancement, and operational needs. This support may also help fund opportunities such as study abroad experiences, field trips, industry conferences, and job shadowing, expanding learning beyond the classroom and equipping students with the skills and insights to excel in the hospitality industry.

"I am happy I chose the hospitality program and look forward to graduating in the next two years! I want to work at a resort because I enjoy doing a little bit of everything. At Ball State, I've had the opportunity to learn about all the different aspects of the hospitality industry hands-on."
Mary Mantle, Hospitality Innovation and Leadership Major

Invest in Property Management Success

Your contribution to the Property Management Program helps support the needs of the Residential Property Management (RPM) program, such as assisting students in obtaining professional credentials, materials, and exams. This support allows them to graduate not only with a bachelor’s degree but also with key industry certifications that give them a competitive edge.

"This program fully prepares you to become a successful professional. The opportunities Ball State provides to network with experts in the industry are endless. This program has allowed me to challenge myself to achieve greatness."
Lauren Reed, Property Management Major

Your Gift Transforms Student Experiences

If you're passionate about supporting student success and shaping future industry leaders, consider making a gift to the Applied Business Studies Fund. Your donation will provide vital resources across all three programs, helping students access meaningful learning experiences and professional opportunities.

Make your impact today and help our students thrive!


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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.
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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 13
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)
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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 13
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.
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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 13
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!
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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.
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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.!
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ABS Strong
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Match
ABS Strong
Department chair Sotiris Hji-Avgoustis will match gifts up to $250 given to the Applied Business Studies Department.
$0 MATCHED
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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
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
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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.
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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
Applied Business Studies Challenge
$250
Applied Business Studies Challenge
30 gifts to the Applied Business Department will unlock $250 from department chair Sotiris Hji-Avgoustis.
0 / 30 Gifts
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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
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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