Passion Meets Impact: Bernard's Planned Gift Will Benefit Multiple Ball State Programs

Dr. Allen W. Bernard, '68 MA '70, is a man with many interests and areas of expertise.

A retired school administrator and former university professor, Bernard is also a published writer, traveler, historic preservationist, and an avid collector of books and prints.

This Cincinnati resident is also interested helping Ball State and its students succeed, and the programs he has chosen to support are as diverse as his background. He has given back to Ball State in many ways over the years and is currently creating a charitable bequest to make a lasting impact on the programs he finds most meaningful.

Teachers College: Bernard has fond memories of Ball State in the '60s when its focus was preparing students for a career in education. Many of his professors both challenged and supported him, which helped build a good foundation for his career as an educator. To enhance the learning experience for generations of education students, Bernard has endowed a lectureship series in Teachers College and may provide additional support to this academic college in the future.

Multicultural Center: Bernard said he would also like to fund a lectureship series through Ball State's Multicultural Center to help promote diversity and cultural acceptance on campus.

"The presence of Ball State's Multicultural Center is an important contribution toward the goals of helping students experience diversity in many aspects of their cultural life," he says.

David Owsley Museum of Art: Bernard gained an appreciation for the arts as a Ball State student when he was hosting a visiting professor from Georgetown University. "The first thing he wanted to see was the Art Museum," he remembered. "He walked away from that building amazed at the quality of art that he had seen there and spoke to me of the art treasures that I never knew were exhibited there." This has inspired Bernard to support DOMA in many ways, including in-kind donations of prints from his personal art collection.

Student Volunteer Services: Bernard worked as one of the first student coordinators in Student Volunteer Services, and plans to support this program, established in 1965, that fosters education, leadership, and community service. "The organization grew from a small voluntary forum of community service to become an enormous organization giving thousands of students an opportunity to participate in human interactions at a most basic level," he says.

Bernard noted that each year it becomes more vital for alumni to give back to the University as state funding is dwindling. Many times, a planned gift allows you to follow your passion, leave your legacy, and make a larger contribution than what may be possible during your lifetime.

"Knowing that we are paving a way for future generations of Cardinals is why I chose to join the Beneficence Society by confirming my planned gift with the Ball State University Foundation," he says. "You're helping to make Ball State the best it can be for students, alumni, faculty, staff and the entire University community."

To fund your favorite Ball State programs, contact us or visit ballstatelegacy.org.