One of six Ball State faculty and staff members will lock lips with a swine on Nov. 11.
In an effort to raise money for the East Indiana Therapeutic Riding Center, the Golden Key Honor Society is betting on students' desires to embarrass their favorite faculty leaders. Students have until Nov. 11 to place donations in the jars of the individual they'd most like to see make out with a hog. Once the donations are totaled, the person with the most money in their jar will kiss the pig.
"It's a penny-a-vote system, so the more you want somebody to do it, the more money you add to the tub," Golden Key co-adviser David Largent said.
The money will go to the Riding Center to aid in its $6,000 campaign to purchase a special saddle for riders with disabilities.
"Some individuals aren't able to support their body weight, and this saddle would permit an individual to ride with no assistance from others," Largent said. "We're not expecting to raise the entire $6,000, but we're hoping to contribute a significant chunk of that."
Among those willing to give a pig a peck are Pete Lembo, football coach; Steve Shondell, women's volleyball coach; Larry Markle, director of Disabled Student Development; and James Ruebel, dean of Honors College.
Ruebel said he agreed to participate because "the cause is good and the pain is short." It helps that he's no stranger to pigs.
"I actually had a neighbor in Iowa who was a swine-ologist and took us to the pig farm on a regular basis," Ruebel said. "There was one sucker there that was as big as [a human]. But who knows? This pig could be very friendly."
If Ruebel's name amasses the most monetary votes, his lips will meet snout on the front steps of the Ball Honors House two or three weeks following the last day for donations. If another contestant such as Lembo wins, Largent said the smooch would ideally take place during half-time at a football game.
Look for donation boxes in the offices of each faculty participant.
Ball State faculty and staff participating:
James Ruebel, dean of the Honors College
Steve Shondell, women's volleyball coach
Pete Lembo, football coach
Larry Markle, director of Disabled Student Development
Michael O'Hara, associate dean of the College of Fine Arts
Carol Friesen, associate professor of Family and Consumer Sciences
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