The university received about $15 million in voluntary support during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1999. Only Miami University faired better, raising $19.7 million over the same time period.

Above and Beyond: The Campaign to Advance Ball State University, a $90 million effort, is playing a major role in the fund-raising program, said Hudson Akin, executive director of university development.

While the total from 1999 did not include government-supported contracts and grants, it did count corporate backing, he said.

"We've witnessed continuing growth in support for Ball State," Akin said. "With the expansion of our programs in technology, manufacturing, entrepreneurship and the medical area, we should see additional support in the coming years."

Other conference members' totals include Western Michigan, $13.2 million; Ohio, $12 million; Kent State, $9.3 million; Toledo, $6.9 million; Northern Illinois, $6.7 million; Eastern Michigan, $6.6 million; Marshall, $6.1 million; and Central Michigan, $5.6 million.

Akron, Bowling Green and Buffalo did not participate in the report.

The 13-member conference has a total enrollment of more than 285,000 students with individual enrollments ranging from 13,000 to 30,000. The MAC's overall student enrollment figures make it the fourth-largest conference in the country. The conference also totals more than 1 million alumni.

By Marc Ransford, Communications Manager

(NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information, contact Akin at hakin@bsu.eduor (765) 285-8261.)