Even at a young age, Ramon A. Avila's children were introduced to Ball State.
"They'll tell you at the dinner table every night, I would ask them where they were going to college, and they said, 'Ball State,' and I would cheer," he said. "We started that really young, so it was kind of ingrained in them."
Ramon is a graduate of Ball State and a marketing and management professor. Three of his children also attended Ball State, along with his wife, brothers, sisters-in-law and father.
He was raised in Muncie along with his is brothers Steve Avila and Tom Avila. Ramon raised his own family in the city, as well.
"We knew the area well; we enjoyed being raised here, and it was a great cost of living, a great place to raise a family and a great university," Ramon said. "Add that up, and it's a pretty easy decision."
Ramon's father, Ramon L. Avila, graduated from Ball State in 1957 and taught in the math department for 34 years. Ramon said his father had a good reputation at the university.
"There wasn't any pressure to come here, but I always felt like I might be compared to my dad," Ramon said. "So I had to blaze my own trail and just be myself."
Ramon's brother, Steve, is also a professor at Ball State in the Department of Finance and Insurance. Ramon said he gave his brother the same advice when it came to dealing with his father's reputation.
"Seeing them enjoy their situation at Ball State also led me to [be a professor]," Steve said. "Ball State's a great place to work, I grew up here, so it would be a great place to come back to."
Steve added his brother and father have both received recognition from Ball State for their good reputations.
"I just didn't feel that I have to earn these university awards; I just need to do the best I can every day," Steve said. "They've had great careers, and I'll try to do the best with my career. They really haven't put that kind of pressure on me that I have to do this because they did it. It was just, 'Do the best I can.'"
The brothers were well educated and prepared during their time at Ball State, Ramon said, and this positive opinion of the university influenced their decision to work here as professors.
"We just really like the classroom, and Ball State allows that balance between teaching and research, we can do both well here," Ramon said. "That's why we came back."
For his children, choosing to attend Ball State was also a financial decision, Ramon said. All three of his children who attended Ball State received scholarships from the university and graduated without any debt.
Ramon said some might argue that going to college far away from family would provide a different experience, "but I said hey, you've got the rest of your life to go places and try out different things."
He said he told his children they could apply for jobs around the country instead.
Ramons daughter, Kate Avila, is 14 years old and has not yet decided where she will attend college.
Kate said she hasn't felt pressure from her family to attend Ball State. She said her sister, Laura Avila, goes to Bowling Green to play volleyball.
Kate also plays volleyball at Yorktown High School.
"If Ball State has a major I'm looking for, and if I end up playing sports - I know they have a really good volleyball program - then I'd love to go there," Kate said.
The majority of Steve's nieces and nephews have attended Ball State, and he said he is proud of their choice because of the programs the school offers.
"I think each individual has to make up their mind what they're interested in studying in college and what university is the best fit for them," Steve said.
Despite that, though, Ramon said he has told his children Ball State is a good opportunity.
"They say you can't go home: we feel like we've proven you can go home and be really happy," Ramon. said.
Kate said she has grown up going to all the Ball State games and activities with her family.
"I just really love the Cardinals, and I love Ball State," Kate said. "No matter where I go, I'll always have a little bit of Ball State in me."
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