Ball State University President Geoffrey S. Mearns dedicated the Alderdice Gates on June 10, 2022. The Alderdice Gates, located on West Ashland Avenue between the McKinley Parking Garage and the Foundational Sciences Building, are the new south entrance to Ball State.
During the dedication ceremony, President Mearns commended Patrick Alderdice, ’92, his wife, Jennifer, and their daughter, Emily, for generously funding the water feature incorporated into the gates, which Patrick dedicated in honor of his parents.
“As often as members of our campus community pose in front of our beloved Beneficence,” President Mearns said during the ceremony, “I anticipate seeing prospective and current students, along with many of our graduates, capturing photographs of themselves in front of this new gateway arch—an arch that proudly proclaims their affinity for our University.”
The gates, arch, and new water feature create a welcoming atmosphere connecting pedestrians and cyclists to the south end of campus as well as The Village. The gates open to walking and biking paths which lead through the East Mall.
About the Alderdice Family
The Alderdice family resides in Lawrence, Kansas.
Patrick graduated from Ball State with a degree in Political Science. As a student, he was involved with Delta Chi Fraternity, the Student Government Association, and University Senate. Patrick was elected to the Ball State University Foundation Board of Directors in November 2017. He currently serves as the secretary of the board, and chair of the Engagement and Philanthropy Committee.
Patrick is the CEO at Pennington & Company, a full-service fundraising, consulting, and alumni relations firm based in Lawrence, Kansas. Prior to his time with Pennington & Company, he served Delta Chi as a leadership consultant, director of chapter development, and director of chapter services. He also served as a past president of the Fraternity & Sorority Political Action Committee. He has received multiple Interfraternal Service Awards including Delta Chi, Beta Theta Pi, Phi Kappa Psi, and FarmHouse Fraternity. Additionally, Patrick received the Award of Distinction from the North American Interfraternity Conference.
Jennifer earned her undergraduate degree in 1994 from Kansas State University and master’s in Higher Education Administration from The University of Kansas in 1999. She joined the KU Alumni Association in 1996, coordinating events such as Homecoming, Hawk Week, and Commencement. She left the University in 2009 to raise their daughter, Emily.
Upon her departure, KU established the Jennifer Alderdice Homecoming Award in honor of her work with countless students to become involved and take pride in the University. The student who receives the award embodies Jennifer’s qualities, which include dedication, initiative, motivation, positive attitude, and contributions to KU.
Emily will be an eighth-grade student in the Fall at Southwest Middle School. She is musically talented, is a member of her school’s band and choir, and performs with the Lawrence Children’s Choir.