First-Generation Alumni Know What Support Means
Dr. Laura Cain, ’86 MAE ’98 EdS ’13 EdD ’15 (above), of Walton, Ind., has more than 30 years of experience in the education field, in multiple capacities within numerous school districts across Indiana. Dr. Cain earned her bachelor’s degree in English, plus her master’s and other advanced degrees in Education Leadership, at Ball State.
Ball State alumni who were the first in their family to earn a college degree share why they feel compelled to give back
Ball State University graduate Ebonee (Cooper) Doblasse, ’06 MS ’10, knew she wanted to give back to her alma mater in a meaningful way that would benefit students for years to come.
She wanted her gift to have something to do with the campus’ Multicultural Center, and she—along with her sister, Ball State graduate Dr. Darrella Cooper, ’93, an emergency room physician in Texas—wanted to honor their mother, Carolyn “CiCi” Cooper.
So they did it. Ms. Doblasse and Dr. Cooper jointly made a gift that supported the development of a graduate assistant office in the Multicultural Center. The office, officially dedicated on March 24, 2023, was named in honor of their mother—who strongly supported all of her children.
While there are varying definitions of a first-generation college student, Ball State defines the term as those who are the first in their families to attend college, or whose parents or guardians did not complete a college degree. First-gens’ experiences, backgrounds, stresses, and challenges related to college life can be unlike those of their peers.
Ms. Doblasse’s decision to give a gift to her alma mater was independent of her status as a first-generation student. But she thinks being a first-gen student could be a factor for other Cardinal graduates.
“Alums who were first-gen students may want to make a gift to Ball State that supports students like them in this or other ways,” said Ms. Doblasse, of Indianapolis. “And I hope other alums who were first-gens are not deterred from donating to the University.”
Ball State graduate and donor Dr. Laura Cain, ’86 MAE ’98 EdS ’13 EdD ’15, who also was a first-gen student, agrees with Ms. Doblasse. She feels it doesn’t matter whether Cardinal alums have parents or grandparents who graduated from Ball State—or any college—or whether an alum was the first person in their immediate families to attend college.
“All alumni have the opportunity to support our University and other students,” said Dr. Cain of Walton, Ind.
Dr. Cain and her husband, Ball State graduate Matt Cain, ’86, donate frequently to the University.
“While there are many valuable, charitable organizations to give to, I’ve just never forgotten to make sure that Ball State is on our list of donations,” she said.
Matt Cain, ’86, has been a manager for Delphi Electronics in Kokomo, Ind. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at Ball State.Spirit of Generosity, Engagement Inspired by Parents
Neither of Ms. Doblasse’s parents attended college. But that doesn’t mean her parents didn’t encourage her and her siblings to aim high and work hard—especially when education was the goal. It’s that level of support that Ms. Doblasse and her sister, Dr. Cooper, wanted to honor with their gift to the Multicultural Center.
“Both of our parents were extremely hard workers,” Ms. Doblasse said. “My dad learned the electrician trade. He was an electrician in addition to his work at General Motors. My mom worked at General Motors for the majority of her career. From the time that my sisters and I were young, their main focus was to provide us with the best education.”
The sisters decided to honor their mother first, and are looking for other gifting opportunities that can benefit Ball State students and be a way to pay homage to their father, Darrell Cooper.
There is something else Ms. Doblasse hopes people glean from the gift that bears Carolyn “CiCi” Cooper’s name.
“Having students of color come into that building and see a room attached to the name of another person of color, hopefully, they can identify with that name on the room and see that it’s possible to give back to their alma mater and pay tribute to someone they love and respect,” Ms. Doblasse said.
Engaging with one’s alma mater—the school, students, and other alumni, for example—is the other part of the equation for Ms. Doblasse. “My mother instilled in me the importance of being involved, whether I was in high school, at Ball State, or even after that,” she explained.
Ebonee (Cooper) Doblasse, ’06 MS ’10, is pictured with her mother, Carolyn “CiCi” Cooper, during the dedication ceremony of this graduate assistant office in the Multicultural Center in 2003. Ms. Doblasse and her sister, Dr. Darrella Cooper, ’93, jointly made a gift that supported the development of this office. Ms. Doblasse earned her bachelor’s degrees in Pre-Medicine and Biology, and her master’s degree in Physiology at Ball State. Dr. Cooper is an emergency room physician in Texas. She earned her bachelor’s degrees in Biology and Pre-Medicine at Ball State.
Dr. Cain’s parents also contributed indirectly to her desire to donate to Ball State, along with her positive Ball State experience.
Although neither of her parents pursued postsecondary education, she grew up planning to go to college. One of her early introductions to Ball State came when she was a high school student. She visited campus during a school organization’s field trip and liked what she saw and experienced. When the time came to apply to colleges, Dr. Cain applied only to Ball State.
“My parents were very supportive. They helped me complete my education. They helped me pay my tuition, room, and board,” Dr. Cain added. “I’ve never forgotten how hard they worked to do that, and their generosity to me. So I want to make sure that other students have that same opportunity.
“I know that not every parent has the opportunity to support their child in that way. I’m more than willing to give back to the University, both in scholarship and in my time, to make sure that students are taken care of and that they don’t need to struggle, if we can make that possible,” Dr. Cain added. “I’m incredibly grateful for not only my parents, but for the life that my husband and I have built. I’m more than willing to always give back to where it all started for us: Ball State.”
The notion of “giving back your time, talent, and treasure” is something Dr. Cain said she learned early in her life from her parents.
“My parents were extremely generous in supporting me—but I also watched them support things they thought were very important,” she explained. “Going back to my childhood, I watched my mother always be active and give back to others. So it became ingrained in me that I’m supposed to remember where I came from, both in my life and my family, as well as where I got my first professional start, which was really Ball State. I have terrific memories of my friends and my college roommate, and we’re all still close today.”
Supporting Ball State’s First-Generation College Students
Ball State University supports all of its students, including first-generation college students (first-gens)—students who are the first in their families to attend college, or whose parents or guardians did not complete a college degree. Recognizing that first-gens’ experiences, backgrounds, stresses, and challenges related to college life can be unlike those of their peers, the University offers a network of resources for this segment of the student population. Supporting first-gen Cardinals is another example of Ball State’s commitment to inclusive excellence, infusing diversity, equity, and education quality into the University’s mission and operations.
Alumni Engagement & Giving Back
Giving back often starts with engaging and maintaining a post-graduation relationship with the University. That engagement can take a variety of forms, including mentoring a student; interacting with other alumni; sharing time, talents, and career experiences in the classroom; or visiting campus for Homecoming, sporting events, or other activities.
Dr. Cain maintains a solid post-graduation relationship with the University that includes being a member of the Ball State Alumni Council for more than 10 years and serving as the council’s chair. She and her husband often attend Cardinal football home games together, where they enjoy connecting with other Ball State alums. One of her favorite things to do is greet alumni at CharlieTown prior to home games and events.
“That’s an important piece of giving back: alumni engagement. After a while, you might decide to donate because you can see the value of your gift, how it matters, and how it can make a difference for students and campus programs. As an engaged alum, you’ll see the value of your contributions,” Dr. Cain said.
Ms. Doblasse also maintains a solid post-graduation relationship with Ball State. Her numerous alumni engagement activities include serving as a One Ball State Day ambassador, and as a mentor in the Top 100 Mentoring Program—which was established alongside the University’s Top 100 Student Awards.
“By establishing and maintaining a relationship with the University and its students after graduation and staying connected with other alums, you can be on your way to establishing something impactful that could last for generations,” Ms. Doblasse said.
“Alumni may find themselves reflecting on their passions in terms of educational college life, or what was really transformative for them while they attended school here. And that may be something they want to support with a gift,” she continued. “It doesn’t have to be a large lump sum given all at once. Every donation counts. Every donation helps.”
