COLLEGE TRADITION

AT BALL STATE UNIVERSITY IN INDIANA, THE FINANCIAL AFFAIRS OF THE SCHOOL HAVE BEEN GREATLY AIDED BY THE MILLIONAIRE BALL FAMILY. THE FIVE BROTHERS WERE REPRESENTED IN A MEMORIAL AREA BY FIVE STATUES AT THE TOP OF FIVE PILLARS AROUND A SMALL COURTYARD. THIS AREA WAS CALLED "BENIFICENCE" AND HAD ITS OWN TRADITION. IT WAS SAID THAT A GIRL STUDENT WAS NOT REALLY A "COED" UNTIL SHE HAD BEEN KISSED UNDER
BENIFICENCE AT TWELVE MIDNIGHT (GIRL'S DORMS LOCKED UP AT ELEVEN). AT THE TIME OF THE KISS, IF THE GIRL WAS A VIRGIN, THE STATUES WOULD ALL SMILE.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector are the same person.

Where learned: FLORIDA ; JACKSONVILLE

Date learned: NOT GIVEN