October 9, 2018
Ball State University is taking its Centennial Celebration to Valparaiso on Oct. 21 for the United Way of Porter County’s Valpo Half Marathon and 5K, which starts at 951 Eastport Center Drive. Event proceeds support health, education, and financial stability services in Northwest Indiana.
Ball State’s Centennial Celebration Roadshow will be a part of the post-race festivities, starting at 9 a.m. Ball State staff will greet race attendees at the finish line with cupcakes, giveaways, and a special photo backdrop for selfies. Guests can help assemble literacy kits, including a children’s book and craft, which will be donated to the United Way and distributed to local families. Ball State alumni in Porter County are encouraged to participate as runners, volunteers, and spectators.
Delaina Boyd, Ball State’s interim associate vice president of community engagement, said guests will discover there is more to Ball State than they may think.
“We hope people will get to know us better and see how we’ve built on our roots as a Teachers College to become a world-class University,” she said. “Along with the fun, we hope our guests will volunteer to assemble literacy kits and join us in supporting the United Way’s goal to help end the cycle of generational poverty through early childhood education and literacy.
“Social responsibility is a core Ball State value. It’s so important to us that it’s part of the Beneficence Pledge that we encourage every member of the University community to follow. Since our founding in 1918, Ball State has done more than educate students. We’ve served our neighbors.”
Kim Olesker, United Way of Porter County president and CEO, appreciates Ball State’s partnership.
“As a community connector, we look for partners, like Ball State, that are engaged in their community,” Olesker said. “Ball State and its alumni are building stronger communities here in Northwest Indiana every day, and we can’t thank them enough for their assistance.”
The Valparaiso event is part of Ball State’s yearlong Centennial Celebration.
We will have activities and events throughout the academic year to celebrate 100 years of Beneficence: Proud Past. Bright Future. Learn more.