Giving Funds

College of Communication, Information & Media Fund

Among the top 15 largest communications programs in the country, our college houses the departments of Media, Communication Studies, the Center for Information and Communication Sciences, and the School of Journalism and Strategic Communication. Help support the college as a whole by contributing to a discretionary fund for the Dean to deploy for the welfare, renewal, and adaptation of CCIM. Your gift will have a direct impact on faculty development, matching grant funds, and student retention.

Carleson News Education Fund

The purpose of the Fund is to provide discretionary funds to enhance faculty and student ability to contribute to a robust media and news ecosystem, including but not limited to: professional development; productions, internships; undergraduate/graduate research; immersive learning; study abroad or study away; additional course offerings or experiences.

From Day One Scholarship

Day One scholarships fund high-impact experiences for students. From Day One, CCIM initiatives all students to engage in high-impact learning experiences. Day One scholarships provide financial support to empower hard-working, driven students with financial needs to engage in high-impact experiences, such as completing an internship, engaging in immersive learning, or studying abroad. These experiences ensure our students are Day One ready for their next job or experience.

Give now

Center for Information and Communication Sciences Fund

Our fast-paced, globally connected world requires innovative, thoughtful leaders to guide and develop secure and progressive business practices and technologies for the future. We apply original thinking with technology-rich facilities to achieve results for industry leaders. This relevant, hands-on approach draws national attention and builds lasting professional connections. Your support helps the program advance the mission of the college, support faculty development, and attract top graduate students driven to make lasting impact on our world.

Ray Steele Social Learning Fund

Learning doesn’t only happen in the classroom, and business isn’t only conducted at the office. The Ray Steele Social Learning fund provides support for CICS students to learn in nontraditional settings. Your contribution to the Steele fund will support social learning activities such as social enrichment events, job placement seminars, etiquette dinners, networking activities, and trips to expand students’ horizons.

Give now

Communication Studies General Fund

Every organization—from charitable nonprofits to Fortune 500 companies—needs effective communicators. With concentrations in public communication, interpersonal communication, and organizational communication, the knowledge and skills our students acquire as a communication studies major will help throughout their personal life and professional career.

Help provide overall support to the Department of Communication Studies by contributing to a fund deployed for the welfare, renewal, and advancement of the department. This includes equipment, faculty travel, undergraduate student travel, professional development opportunities, and scholarships.

Communication Studies Scholarships

These scholarships provide financial support to empower hard-working, driven Communication Studies students with financial needs. Your support is a direct investment in bright, deserving speech communication students, and the next generation of leaders committed to making a difference in this world.

Debate Enhancement Fund

Through the years, Ball State’s debate team has become one of the most competitive teams in the region and the nation. Our students participate in public, audience-oriented tournaments throughout the country and routinely win national competitions. Your support funds student travel costs, including transportation, food, housing so students are ready to compete—and win.

First Day Scholars Fund

Your gift will provide direct help for communication studies graduate students for expenses such as but not limited to scholarships, research support, professional development, and student travel to conferences and special events.

Individual Event Enhancement Fund

Ball State’s speech team is a young team of diverse and talented students who are ready to have their voices heard on important topics. Our students participate in competitions at major tournaments focused on interpretation and public address. The team has won the Indiana state championship for eight consecutive years and placed each year at the national tournament. Your gift funds student travel costs, entry fees, and meals, therefore enabling students to continue the team’s proven track record of success.

Michael Bauer Debate Fund

This fund honors Michael Bauer, the Director of the Debate Team from 1991 to 2019. Your support will provide scholarships to debate students as well as support for the debate team.

Give now

Emerging Media Minority Scholarship

Your support in the Emerging Media Minority Scholars Program empowers students from underrepresented groups to assume leadership roles in media education—ensuring the next generation of storytellers and stories reflect the diverse and interconnected world in which we live. Your support of this program is a direct investment in bright, deserving students who are eager to pursue graduate study. Your gift makes a difference in the lives of these future media leaders.

Journalism and Strategic Communication Scholarships

Our programs in the School of Journalism and Strategic Communication prepare students for a career as a professional storyteller, communicator, problem-solver and leader. Your contribution supports student success, faculty development, special projects at the School of Journalism and Strategic Communication, and helps fuel operations of the cutting-edge Unified Media Lab, which supports innovative partnerships among all majors.

Give now

Department of Media Special Support Fund

This fund helps advance projects within the department such as student immersive learning experiences, award submissions, equipment purchases, facility needs, student travel, or anything related to the student experience.

Dr. Joe Media Scholarship

Established by the family of Dr. Joe Misiewicz, former professor and chairperson of the Department of Media, this award honors Dr. Joe for his commitment to the department, his passion for teaching, and his contribution to the field of broadcast media over the years.

Grace Bentkowski Memorial Scholarship

Established to honor the memory of journalist and Media graduate Grace Bentkowski (’24), this scholarship is open to all media majors.

Radiance Cinema Expendable Fund

This fund supports the activities, projects, and experiences of students working on Radiance Cinema, a year-long immersion where students produce short films in partnership with the Department of Theatre and Dance and Heartland Film.

Sports Link Fund

Support from alumni and friends helps us provide our students with a distinctive sports media education, challenging projects and life-changing opportunities to prepare them to succeed in the industry and in life. Gifts to this fund support students by bringing back nationally recognized, award-winning producers from ESPN and other networks to campus to work with them.

WCRD Initiative Fund

This fund provides financial support for the day-to-day operations of the student-run WCRD-FM, including but not limited to purchasing and repairing equipment, streaming fees, and licensing fees.

Give now

The purpose of the Fund is to provide financial support for discretionary funds for the Dean of the College of Communication, Information, and Media to deploy for the welfare, and advancement of Esports education, competition, and community engagement.