One of Ball State's Biggest Fans Makes a Lasting Difference

Many people know Ball State University's large, busy campus as it is today, but when Lawrence J. Owens, '66, was a freshman, one of the only buildings north of Riverside was Woodworth Complex.

Campus was primarily just the quad, and he was a part of one of the first freshman classes of 2,000 students. Owens remembers living in the dorms, working in dining, and helping the maintenance crew mop the floors on Saturdays.

"Ball State helped me grow socially. I made friendships through my on-campus life and I remember everyone always being so friendly. All the professors said hello and knew our names as we walked by," says Owens.

Owens grew up in Richmond, Indiana where he graduated from Richmond High School. While at Ball State, he majored in business with an emphasis in accounting. After graduating on a Friday, he went to work that next Monday for the Indiana Department of Transportation, where he worked for the next 45 years as an auditor and a budget analyst before retiring in 2011.

All Business and Pleasure
To commemorate a successful career and help future students reach their own high levels of achievement, Owens has planned a gift in his will to support two Ball State areas that have captured his passion: Miller College of Business and Cardinal Varsity Club.

"I support the Miller College of Business because of studying business myself at Ball State. They have nationally ranked programs, and I look forward to seeing the students succeed," said Owens.

As a season ticket holder from 1972-1986, and again since 2013, it is safe to say Owens is one of the university's biggest fans. He enjoys attending all types of sporting events on campus, including volleyball, football, and basketball games. He is also a regular attendee of the Cardinal Varsity Club events.

"I am very involved in the Cardinal Varsity Club because of the athletic programs and the great products that they put on the floor," he said. "Some people may have closer ties to the university than I do, but I am leaving a legacy to athletics because it has always been something I wanted to do as a fan. If you have the passion and financial ability, leaving a legacy with your alma mater is very rewarding."

Show Your Passion at BSU
If you would like to extend your support of Ball State after your lifetime, there are numerous gift options to choose from. To learn more, contact D. Mark Helmus at 765-285-8312 or [email protected].

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