The Office of Student Life is kicking off Ball State University's annual Week of Action tonight with a presentation by the founder of TOMS Shoes.
Tonight at 7 in Pruis Hall, Blake Mycoskie will talk about starting TOMS Shoes, a company that donates a pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair of shoes purchased, and how students can make a difference in the world.
"Blake will be talking about how he started TOMS Shoes, which is a socially conscious corporation," Mitch Isaacs, associate director of Student Life, said. "He was able to start a successful business, but it's also an organization dedicated to people."
Isaacs said the Week of Action was scheduled for this week because of Mycoskie's availability to speak at Ball State.
"[Mycoskie] has a compelling story and a good message," he said. "When we spread the word around that he was coming to Ball State, we got a good response from students."
Kathy Smith, associate director of Student Life, said students could benefit from Mycoskie's speech.
"With Blake, here's a guy who didn't know what he wanted to do with his life and he was backpacking around the world," she said. "He saw these kids who needed shoes and felt he needed to do something. It shows that any person can make a difference."
Smith said the Week of Action is partially about raising awareness on a particular issue and to encourage students to think and to give them some leads on what they want to do.
"Students should ask themselves ‘What kind of citizen am I going to be?'" she said. "Are they going to be one that gives back or one that doesn't?"
Freshman social work major Kayleigh Rayburn said she first heard about TOMS Shoes two years ago.
Rayburn said she has heard Mycoskie speak before and his passion to help inspired her.
"I like the movement and the idea that [Mycoskie] wants to make a change and help out," she said. "He's just a normal guy and he's changing peoples' lives."
Rayburn said she owns three pairs of shoes from TOMS, and people often ask about them because they look unique.
"I advertise [the movement] by wearing my TOMS around," she said. "I did the event last year where I didn't wear shoes for a day and it was fun, but it's not just about specific events to get the word out."
Rayburn's roommate, freshman psychology major Katy Kessler, said Rayburn first told her about TOMS Shoes.
"I have a strong interest in TOMS Shoes now," she said. "I'm hoping to hear more about how TOMS Shoes started and the direction they're going in and hopefully a little more about the campus outreach [at his speech]."
Kessler said she likes what Mycoskie stands for and she hopes to buy a pair of TOMS when she gets some extra spending money. Kessler plans on participating in Take the Walk on Friday. For every person who walks barefoot in the mile-long event, $1 will be donated to TOMS Shoes.
To register in advance for Take the Walk, go to takethewalk.net.
Week of Action Events
Today: Blake Mycoskie speaks on "A Student's Guide to Making a Difference in the World," 7 p.m. in Pruis Hall
Thursday: "What are We Doing Here?" film and discussion on poverty at 6 p.m. at the Student Center Yuhas Room
Friday: Take the Walk, 3 p.m. at University Green
Saturday: Minnetrista Service Project at noon
Monday: Sarah Weddington video conference, "Some Leaders are Born Women," 7 p.m. in Pruis Hall.
Tuesday: Dimension of Poverty: Economic, Social and Emotional Consequences, 7 p.m. in the Student Center Forum Room
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
