Major League alum gives back to ISU’s baseball program

Sycamore baseball alumnus and 8-year major league player, Sean Manaea, made a remarkable contribution of $125,000 to the University’s baseball team as a part of a donor challenge on Indiana State University’s fifth annual Give to Blue Day. This generous donation highlights Manaea’s unwavering commitment to his alma mater and the advancement of ISU’s baseball program.

Born and raised in Valparaiso, Indiana, Manaea joined the Sycamore baseball team in 2011 after completing his high school career at Andrean High School and playing Junior College baseball. During his time at Indiana State, Manaea established himself as one of the most talented pitchers in the history of the program. His remarkable achievements on the field caught the attention of major league scouts, and in 2013, he was selected as the 34th overall pick in the MLB Draft.

After a successful collegiate career, Manaea continued to excel in professional baseball. He made his Major League debut in 2016 and in 2020, achieved a significant milestone by throwing a no-hitter against the Boston Red Sox, cementing his name in baseball history.

Sean Manaea’s exceptional career and accomplishments have not only brought pride to Indiana State University but also serve as an inspiration for aspiring student-athletes within the baseball program. Recognizing the invaluable role ISU played in his development, Manaea gave back to the University that nurtured his talents and provided him with a solid foundation for success.

Manaea’s generous gift of $125,000 to the ISU baseball team is an extraordinary show of support that will significantly impact the program. The donation will provide critical resources to enhance the student-athlete experience and empower the Sycamores to compete at the highest level of collegiate baseball.

The transformative impact of Sean Manaea’s gift extends far beyond the baseball field, symbolizing the enduring spirit of generosity and support among the Indiana State University community. Supporters like Manaea are making a positive and lasting impact on the lives of Sycamores.

Indiana State University’s fifth annual 24-hour giving day on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, resulted in $1,385,877 for the University to enhance the academic experience for Sycamores. This is a recordsetting fundraising amount in a single day for Indiana State.

1,710 donors from all 50 states and 3 countries contributed during this 24hour fundraising event.

Funds raised on Give to Blue Day support a variety of projects, programs, and scholarships across Indiana State’s divisions and colleges. The donor chooses where their gift will be designated, which continues to be a feature that Sycamores and friends utilize to highlight gifts in memory of loved ones and in honor of those they care about across campus.

As Indiana State University celebrated 5 years of an annual giving day in 2023, it was important to remember where it all started in 2019.

“The support for Give to Blue Day by the Sycamore faithful continues to impress,” said Andrea Angel, Vice President of University Advancement and CEO of the ISU Foundation. “We are humbled by the generosity of our donors on Give to Blue Day and beyond. Let’s get ready for another successful giving day on March 20, 2024!”

Give to Blue Day continues to be a digitally driven event in which ISU students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends share links to the giving page on their social media accounts. In 2019, there were 346 social media ambassadors and in 2023, that number jumped to 537.

There has always been friendly competition between divisions and colleges to see which area can raise the most money.

2019’s leaderboard was topped by the Honors College and followed by the Bayh College of Education, the Scott College of Business, and the College of Arts and Sciences. Sycamore Athletics took the lead in 2023 and was followed by the College of Arts and Sciences, the Scott College of Business, and the Bailey College of Engineering and Technology.

“Give to Blue Day shows us all the power of philanthropy at Indiana State,” said Miah Ferran, Student Philanthropy Organization President.

“We are excited to continue amplifying the voices of Sycamores and celebrating the importance of giving for the next Give to Blue Day!”

Give to Blue Day continues to be transformational with the support of alumni and friends of the University. Mark your calendars for next year’s Give to Blue Day on Wednesday, March 20, 2024!

ALL TOWNS & CITIES LISTED ARE IN INDIANA, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.

1970s

Ellen Hartman ’70, of Indianapolis, was awarded a Master of Liberal Studies degree from Indiana University in 2021.

Richard Pearson ’73, of Valparaiso, received the honor of being inducted into the Michigan City Area Schools Wall of Fame for 2021.

Dennis Faulkenberg ’75, of Indianapolis, retired from APPIAN, Inc. in Indianapolis, where he was owner and president for the past 14 years.

Noma Gurich ’75, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, was named the Woman of Influence by the Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice.

P. Gordon Stroufe ’76, of Omaha, Nebraska, has recently authored and released his first novel, ‘It Started on a Tuesday.’

Denise Callaway ’78, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was inducted into the Milwaukee Press Club Hall of Fame in November 2022. This follows Denise’s selection into the Chicago/ Midwest National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Silver Circle.

Rodney Desvigne Allen ’79, of Nottingham, Maryland, received a Ph.D in Curriculum and Teaching in the Spring of 2022 from North Central University.

1980s

Douglas Meagher ’80, MPA ’87, of Indianapolis, has held a career within the Indiana state government since 1983 where he most recently received his fourth appointment to the Worker’s Compensation Board.

David Daggett ’82, of Winston Salem, North Carolina, competed in the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in St. George, Utah. He was first over 60 in the Ironman Executive Challenge. This race was just three weeks after David competed in the iconic Hawaii Ironman World Triathlon Championships for the ninth time.

Miluna Fausch ’84, of Monterey, California, has launched her first book with Forbes: Uplevel your Communication, Evolve your Prescence, and Speech to Change Everything

David Gregrow ’84, of Newark Valley, New York, was formally inducted on October 23, 2021 into the New York State Section IV Athletic Hall of Fame.

Sally Belknap ’85, of Avon, received the Mary Louise Mandrea Doyle Panhellenic Award from Alpha Sigma Tau National Sorority. Sally has served as President for both the Indianapolis Alumnae Panhellenic and Detroit Alumnae Panhellenic Association.

William Niederer ’85, MS ’88, of South Bend, retired from Elkhart Community Schools in June 2021 after 35 years public school teaching in Indiana and Iowa.

Alan Clayton ’86, of Campbellsville, Kentucky, has joined the Board of Directors for the Green River Ministries, the local homeless shelter for Campbellsville.

Shaune Shelby ’87, of Carmel, was awarded his Doctor of Practical Theology, March 2021, by Master’s International University of Divinity. He has also began a new Non-profit called Mission 223, A people focused development corporation.

1990s

Philena Mead ’91, MBA ’93, of Carmel, was promoted to Director of Business Systems at Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance on September 24, 2022.

Michele (Stuffle) Bizik ’93, of Indianapolis, received her Master of Science in Urban Education from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis.