A charitable foundation in Muncie gave $1 million to Ball State University's immersive learning programs.
Provost Terry King said the Hamer D. and Phyllis C. Shafer Foundation notified Ball State about the grant during the summer.
Ball State will receive installments from the grant during a five-year period, he said.
The grant will go into an endowment in which the proceeds will generate $50,000 each year that the university will spend, King said.
"We may start using the money before the entire gift is here, but it will be at a couple of years," he said.
Ben Hancock, vice president for university advancement, said the grant's money will be available in 2008.
King said the grant will create two immersive learning programs.
Associate Provost Marilyn Buck said all programs meeting the requirements to be immersive learning programs are eligible to receive grant money. Seven criteria groups need to be met in order to be made into an immersive learning program, she said.
Hancock said one of the Shafer Fellowships, which the grant will pay for, will be in the fall, and one will be in the spring.
"The idea [is] that the Shafer fellows are a kind of bridge that presents opportunities for students to be engaged in programs off campus where they have community partners ... and give students a chance to be hands on, be involved in specific projects, work with community partners and have, really, a tangible product at the end of the period," Hancock said.
King said Ball State received the grants because the Shafer Foundation likes the direction of Ball State's immersive learning programs.
"In the letter from the Shafer Foundation, they said 'The Shafers, as well as our foundation trustees, are extremely excited about the immersive learning focus taking place at the University and are pleased to be part of this program,'" King said.
Hancock said the Shafer Foundation has been a reliable supporter for Ball State. The grant is an addition to previous grants the foundation has given the university, Hancock said.
"For the university, the grant from the Shafer Foundation is very exciting, not only because of the contribution we received from the foundation, but just as important, that it shows that there is a great deal of interest in our immersive learning programs," Hancock said. "Individuals, corporations and foundations are interested in supporting these new initiatives."
According to a press statement, the Shafers, who are Ball State alumni and Shafer Bell Tower's namesake, established the Sally C. Memorial Scholarship in 1993. The Shafers owned Muncie Power Products and still live in Muncie.
Additional Information(According to Marilyn Buck)
The requirements for being an immersive learning program are:
- A group of students, preferably interdisciplinary, working cooperatively
- The group has a faculty mentor
- The students drive the learning process to determine the direction of the course or project
- Students and faculty work with community partners
- The experience produces a tangible outcome or product such as a business venture, DVD, or creative work that is a benefit to the community and to the students
- The experience provides students with an industry connection
- Students receive academic credit for the experience
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