ISU launches $100-million fundraising campaign called ‘Be So Bold’

Indiana State University announced a $100-million fundraising campaign titled “Be So Bold” at a high-energy kickoff event Friday night at Hulman Center. 

Students and members of the campaign cabinet revealed the goal at the end of the event by turning over cards on the stage, after which streamers were shot in the air. The crowd stood, music played, and people danced in celebration of ISU’s largest-ever fundraising campaign. 

ISU President Dr. Deborah J. Curtis said the campaign raised 62% of the goal during the “quiet phase.” 

“This campaign’s success is a message about people believing in our mission and making a commitment to invest in strengthening our capacity to educate and graduate more Indiana State University students,” Curtis said. “We are driven by a desire to help more students cross the stage at commencement having earned that life-changing degree. 

“In the changing landscape of higher education, it’s never been a more important time to support the mission of Indiana State University. That is why Lynn (Curtis, her husband) and I have made a major commitment to the campaign, and that is why we’re appealing to you to do the same.” 

The campaign has four priorities: Scholarships, Experiential Learning, Faculty Excellence, and Sycamore Athletics. For each priority, there was a video and a speaker talking about the impact it has on ISU students. 

Student and ISU Presidential Scholar Corey Christman spoke in his nursing scrubs about the benefit of scholarships. 

“I stand before you in my ISU nursing scrubs, without a tie, without a jacket, and with shoes that don’t shine,” Christman said. “But in these scrubs, I have held infants minutes after birth, consoled grieving families, and travelled to distant countries to provide free care to the less fortunate. ISU didn’t just provide me with a scholarship, they provided me with the ability to make sure that their generosity and care doesn’t stop with me.” 

The campaign co-chairs are Paul and Susan Chaney and Larry and Buffy Boulet. The Chaneys and Larry Boulet are ISU graduates. 

“Our ask,” Paul Chaney told the crowd, “is for you to take that bold step and help inspire the next generation of Sycamores to fulfill their dreams.”