Good afternoon and welcome to Ball State University. This has been a busy week with homecoming activities kicking off Monday night, and there are many more opportunities for you to take part in the festivities tomorrow with morning coffee hour, the parade, the pregame luncheon, and, of course, the football game.

I particularly enjoy this weekend because I can get reacquainted with old friends and make new acquaintances of our alumni who have come "home" to Ball State.

Many people have stopped to ask me about the university's new marketing campaign and the tagline, "Education Redefined." The most common question they ask is if we are trying to remake Ball State.

I really like this question because the answer simply is "no," but it also gives me the opportunity to explain what we mean by Education Redefined. The essence of this tagline was evident long before I arrived at Ball State, but it quickly became apparent to me. As I looked around the institution, I saw a commitment on the part of faculty to engage collaboratively with students in projects that make a difference not only educationally, but also in communities across Indiana.

Some of our alumni who graduated years ago, say, "that's how Ball State was when I was here." And they're right. But in my experience, I had never seen an institution of this size exhibit so many examples of this commitment across so many disciplines. I had also not witnessed faculty who were so passionate about this way of teaching and learning, nor had I seen such strong reactions from students, who raved about being able to drive the learning process under faculty guidance and have the project result in something of substance that truly made a difference. Faculty, staff, and students believed they were engaged in something special, and they were. This is what we call immersive learning.

So as we looked for ways to communicate what is so special about Ball State, we believed Education Redefined captured the essence of these collaborations, in a friendly environment, with access to technology and great facilities. We believe the Ball State had set itself apart from other four-year universities in the state and that we should stake our claim as a leader in higher education to this traditional strength and commitment.

But we cannot rest on what we've done in the past. We must be committed to extending these opportunities to even more students, to ensure that we draw the best high school graduates the state produces and give them an opportunity to make connections that may help keep them in Indiana after they earn their degrees.

We are building immersive learning experiences into our strategic plan, so that we can control our own destiny, just as you have determined a course for your future gifts to Ball State.

I can tell you that we are hearing more frequently from alumni who have gone through immersive experiences. They all relate the dramatic effect the experiences had on them, deepening their understanding of the importance of interacting with people from other disciplines and how these experiences helped them land their first jobs. Many also tell us their colleagues who graduated from other universities marvel at what are graduates were encouraged to do during their time at Ball State.

Building on foundational strengths that remain relevant in an ever-changing world and pursuing new initiatives that show promise would not be possible without private gifts.

As a member of the Beneficence Society, you have no doubt considered how you wish your gift to be used. The possibilities are nearly limitless. Might I suggest that if you have not decided exactly how your gift should be used, that you consult with a member of the foundation or development staff to discuss how you might designate your commitment to immersive learning opportunities.

We are committed to giving talented students, faculty, and staff the support they need to achieve excellence, and your gifts will help us ensure that the university lives up to the promise behind its tagline, Education Redefined.

These are exciting times at Ball State. We are receiving national recognition and rankings for many of our endeavors, and there is a real sense that our best days lie ahead. Your support will help ensure Ball State realizes its potential.

Again, welcome, enjoy your lunch, and thank you for supporting Ball State University.