"... all of you have made contributions that allow us to transform the lives of our students and to elevate our communities."
This year, I begin my eighth academic year. Today, and every day, I am fortunate to have the opportunity to serve you as the president of Ball State University.
I am also fortunate to stand before you, once again, and to share that we have so much to celebrate as a University. So many reasons to be proud. So many reasons to be grateful.
These past twelve months have been filled with many accomplishments, some of which I’ll share with you this morning. And throughout this past year, all of you have made contributions that allow us to transform the lives of our students and to elevate our communities.
As we embark on this new year together, we do so with confidence and optimism for our bright future.
"Approximately 78 percent of the students who enrolled as freshmen last Fall are registered for classes again this Fall."
Indeed, because of the collective effort of our faculty and staff in every college and in every division, our enrollment across all dimensions—undergraduate, graduate, international, online—has fully recovered from the significant adverse impact of the pandemic. In fact, our total Fall enrollment this year will have approximately 1,000 more students than Fall 2022.
One positive factor is our retention rates.
Approximately 78 percent of the students who enrolled as freshmen last Fall are registered for classes again this Fall. That retention rate is equivalent to our pre-pandemic average—and it’s nearly six percentage points higher than the Fall 2020 freshman cohort.
This good news about enrollment, along with our ongoing commitment to fiscal discipline, has enabled us to consistently produce positive operating margins every year, despite the significant adverse impact of the pandemic.
"For the sixth consecutive year, our University received more than $30 million in new philanthropic gifts and commitments."
We are also fortunate that our generous alumni and benefactors continue to invest in our people and our programs.
For the sixth consecutive year, our University received more than $30 million in new philanthropic gifts and commitments. Prior to this streak, we had never raised $30 million in two consecutive years.
This past year, we raised more than $79 million—another all-time fundraising record for our University.
Our recent fundraising success was energized in October by the public launch of our comprehensive fundraising campaign.
The goal of this campaign—the most ambitious in our history—is to raise more than $350 million. Already, we have raised $300 million across three major philanthropic pillars.
"I continue to be proud—and grateful—for your many contributions and your sustained commitment to our mission."
Sometimes I wonder if some people think that I’m too optimistic. But it’s easy to be optimistic—to be hopeful—when you have my vantage point.
Every day, I hear impressive stories about our people—some of which I’ve shared this morning.
On a weekly basis, I attend events that inspire me.
I regularly hear about how our students make a difference in the community.
And I continue to be proud—and grateful—for your many contributions and your sustained commitment to our mission.
So, thank you for affirming my faith in education and my faith in humanity.
And thank you for listening to me this morning.