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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Dr. Joe TCOM Scholarship

This scholarship was created by the family of Dr. Joe Misiewicz, who served three stints as chair of the Department of Telecommunications during his 22-year Ball State career. Your contribution to this scholarship supports internship opportunities for students majoring in Telecommunication, providing them with high-impact experiences that will help prepare them for their future careers.

Sports Link Legacy Scholarship Fund

Ball State Sports Link students have become the students to watch and hire. This preeminent student-run immersive learning experience creates multi-platform sports media content for local, regional and national media outlets. When you direct your gift towards these scholarships, student activities, and transatlantic cultural experiences, you are investing in students who are the national—and now global—leaders in digital sports production.

Steve Bell Memorial Scholarship for Ethics in News Reporting

This fund was established in honor of former ABC News Correspondent Steve Bell, teacher, mentor, and advisor to TCOM news students for 15 years, and the first Edmund F. and Virginia B. Ball Chair in Telecommunications (1992-1997). In a nearly 40-year career in broadcast journalism, he reported many of the world’s most important stories, including the assassinations of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Sen. Robert Kennedy. He was a Vietnam War correspondent and later served as Hong Kong Bureau Chief for ABC. He also was the first news anchor of ABC’s Good Morning America.

Through this fund, you will be continuing Steve Bell’s legacy and supporting students who demonstrate a strong commitment to ethics in news reporting—integrity, accuracy, fairness, and thoroughness—while also showing compassion in covering issues affecting the community, the nation, and the world.

Media Department Fund

In their Senior year, Media students see years of hard work culminate with their final courses and projects, while they develop plans for their careers. Your gift supports deserving students of senior standing pursuing a major in telecommunications in this critical transition year.

Media Merit Endowment Scholarship

Your gift will help provide financial support to first year students with high GPAs as they begin their academic careers in Media.

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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.