And the award for Alumnus of the Year goes to David Letterman.
As Ball State University's most well-known graduate, the late-night talk show host has earned the right to be called a fantastic former "Fighting Cardinal," as Letterman likes to say.
During this football season, he has been beyond complimentary about the team by chirping, including Ball State in his Top 10 list and calling us the "fiercest robin-sized bird."
Letterman has also acted as a staunch activist toward getting Ball State football in a BCS bowl, saying, "Can't we do something right in this country?"
The Cardinal funnyman has also gone beyond the football field in his support of the university.
When he donated money for the David Letterman Communication and Media Building, he didn't even want it to be his namesake, preferring to remain in the humble background.
That building's environmentally friendly features and technology have been great resources for students and great publicity for the university.
After the building's dedication, Letterman also left a hefty endowment behind for whatever the university saw fit.
Now that seven-figure sum has resulted in The Letterman Lecture Series, which will bring annual speakers and workshops to Ball State's communications departments.
The schedule of visitors for the Spring Semester includes speaker Ted Koppel and workshop leader Dale Herigstad, a researcher for Microsoft Surface.
These are not nobodies.
Ball State has not been known for outstanding lecture series in the past, but Letterman has made it possible for the university to afford some truly big names.
Through this series, the funds Letterman donated will benefit a large amount of students who would not have had the opportunity to learn from such professionals.
Letterman's contributions and promotion are good for students' education, the athletics department's continued success and the university's national standing.
So, although it might embarrass the ever-humble "Late Show" host, we just want to say something on behalf of Ball State:
Thanks Dave.
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