Topics: College of Applied Sciences and Technology, Scholarships

April 18, 2011

Marilyn Buck donated a $30,000 gift to create the Dr. Marilyn M. Buck School of Physical Education Teaching Scholarship. This scholarship has been created to provide assistance to incoming freshman at Ball State University who are pursuing a teaching major in physical education.  

Buck graduated with a bachelor's degree from Iowa State University in physical education with a minor in mathematics in 1974 and went on to teach and coach in Iowa's Ballard Community Schools system. She devoted the next 12 years to teaching and coaching students at the junior and senior high school levels. In 1979, Buck received her master's degree in sports psychology from the University of Utah. 

Buck wanted to make the greatest impact on students so she left Ballard Community schools in 1986 to earn a doctorate degree, believing that moving to higher education would provide that opportunity.

In 1989, she received her doctoral degree from Brigham Young University in curriculum and instruction in physical education with a cognate in educational leadership. Within the same year, Buck began her work at Ball State, training physical education teachers. As a result of her work efforts, she assumed leadership roles as associate chair beginning in 1999, associate dean of College of Applied Sciences and Technology in 2005 and associate provost and dean of University College in 2007. She also worked in faculty governance, including three years as chair of University Senate. Buck was instrumental in the development and implementation of the current university core curriculum that was first implemented during the Fall 2010 semester.

Availability of the Dr. Marilyn M. Buck School of Physical Education Teaching Scholarship is dependent upon an awards selection process established by Ball State and its academic departments. Selection criteria include a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and an SAT score of 1500 or higher. The award is renewable for three additional years provided the student continues to meet the stated criteria.

For more information about this scholarship, contact the contact the School of Physical Education, Sport, and Exercise Science at 765-285-8746. For more information about other scholarships available at Ball State, contact the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid at 765-285-5600 or visit www.bsu.edu/finaid.

By Kenzie Grob