The foundation, begun in 1951 by alumnus Ralph J. Whitinger to benefit both the university and its students, will surpass $300 million in contributions, $100 million in investment earnings, $200 million in university/student support and $200 million in total assets.

The foundation receives, invests and administers gifts from private sources made for the support of the university. Through the creation of scholarships and continuing support for faculty development, research, physical plant needs, special projects, distinguished professorships and other educationally related programs, the Office of University Development and the foundation provide critical financial support to Ball State.

"The university's advancement team has worked tirelessly over the years to provide Ball State with the necessary resources to allow the university to grow and assist students in their quest to obtain an outstanding education," said David Bahlmann, the foundation's president and chief operating officer. "In fact, to have provided $200 million in support over the years while retaining $200 million in total assets is quite an accomplishment."

During the past three years, the foundation's investment committee, consultant and staff have achieved an average return on investment of 15.2 percent. Last year's return of 14.8 percent is higher than the 8.6 percent returned by the S&P 500 companies and compares well to the median return of 11 percent calculated by the Wilshire Trust Universe Comparison Service for Foundations and Endowments.

"Contributors to the foundation should know that funds entrusted to our care are ascribed to a thoughtfully crafted investment strategy defined to maximize sustainable support of Ball State," said Anthony Schneider, an Indianapolis business executive and 1980 Ball State alumnus, who recently was elected chairman of the foundation's board of directors.

Also as the university closes the books on the last fiscal year, it continues to enjoy the support of many alumni, former faculty and other friends in the form of gifts that still figure large in the overall success of the institution and its students.

With many of the individual and business benefactions recently received, the university looks to establish new scholarship funds for providing financial assistance to students in disciplines from art to business administration, elementary education, mathematics and telecommunications.

"We measure our success in many ways," said Ball State President Jo Ann M. Gora, "from the increasing size and quality of our applicant pool to the expansion and enhancement of our campus, from national recognitions for many of our academic departments and programs to the continuing achievements of so many of our 100,000-plus alumni. Perhaps the most rewarding indicators, however, come from hardworking individuals and successful, socially conscious businesses that choose to demonstrate their admiration for Ball State through generous financial contributions. We are deeply grateful to our benefactors for their support."

By Marc Ransford and Kevin Burke