Past recipients of the Ball State University Emens Scholarship program are raising funds to expand the number of students benefiting from the program.

The Emens Scholars Graduates' Fund provides an opportunity for past scholarship winners to give back to the program, attracting talented students to Ball State.

The John R. and Aline B. Emens Scholars program was established in 1976 to honor the former Ball State president and his wife who made a strong commitment to recognize student leadership and develop student potential. The program recognizes outstanding student leaders and encourages recipients to develop their leadership skills. More than 150 students have been awarded Emens Scholarships since the program was created.

An Emens Scholars Graduate committee has been formed under the leadership of Donald Mikesell, dean emeritus of students at Ball State, to serve as the fund's advisory group.

The new fund was established with an initial gift of $17,000 from Dick Emens, son of the former president, as well as contributions from numerous Emens Scholars.

(Note to editors: For more information, contact Amy Thomas, associate vice president for endowment and planned gift stewardship for the Ball State Foundation, at (765) 285-7068.)