Bowling for Books!Does your team have what it takes?
Welcome! Thank you for your interest in participating in Bowling for Books. This event will help raise funds for a textbook award for Gustavus students. Our hope is that the proceeds from this event will allow us to subsidize the cost of textbooks for up to 10 Gustavus students, who may otherwise struggle to pay for them, each academic year.
We need YOUR help to make it possible. Assemble your own team of 6 participants and register by May 1st! Challenge your hall, class, department, and/or friends. On May 13th, your team will face off against others for an afternoon of BOWLING, LASER TAG, AND ARCADE GAMES!
Why a Diversity Center Textbook Award?
- Gustavus has the highest number of Pell Grant eligible students in the Minnesota Private College Council.
- 24% of the Gustavus student body is Pell Grant eligible, which means that over 500 Gustavus students are members of a low-income family (Gustavus, 2017).
- Textbook costs are rapidly increasing overall student debt (attn:, 2015).
- New editions are constantly released, driving up prices (even though a 2008 report found that revisions to these books are frequently unnecessary) (attn:, 2015).
- The College Board estimates that the average student in this country spends around $1,200 a year on books…a single book can cost as much as $200 (USA Today, 2014).
Bowling for Books will be held at WOW! Zone (2030 Adams St, Mankato, MN 56001) from 2:00 - 6:00pm. Interested individuals can form a team of 6 people at $20 per person (includes a game of bowling, laser tag, and arcade games). Teams will have an afternoon of FUN that will include bowling, laser tag, and arcade games. Each team will compete against one another in an Olympic style competition - the points from each event (bowling, laser tag, and tokens from the arcade games) will be tallied from each team. The team with the most points at the end of the night will win the ultimate prize from our very own BOOKMARK!
What are my payment options?
- Payment by debit/credit card
- Gustavus student account
- Payment via check or cash
Debit/credit card and Gustavus student accounts can be charged online when registering. Check or cash payments must be given to Aimee Johnson in the Financial Aid Office (located on the Upper Level of the Jackson Campus Center). Checks should be made out to "Gustavus Adolphus College Diversity Center" with "Bowling for Books" in the memo line.
What if I don't have a team? Can I participate or donate?
- NO PROBLEM! If you don't have a team, you can bowl for fun for $12 per person, which includes 2 games of bowling. All you have to do is attend the event during the scheduled time and ask for the "Gustavus Bowling for Books" rate at the Wow! Zone counter.
- To donate please contact the Advancement Office at 507-933-7006 or visit their website to make a donation. Please write in the Donation Comment section "Diversity Center Bowling for Books Award"
Can I bring someone who is not a member of the Gustavus community?
- YES! We encourage you to have your friends or family join your team and be a part of the fun! However, those individuals would have to pay by credit card (online) or visit Aimee Johnson in the Financial Aid Office (located on the Upper Level of the Jackson Campus Center) to pay with cash or by check.
Can I bring my friends or family even if they are NOT on a team?
- YES! We encourage you to bring your friends or family members to join in on the fun! Just ask for the "Gustavus Bowling for Books" rate at the Wow! Zone counter on Saturday, May 13 from 2 - 6 PM to the Gustavus fundraiser rate of $12 per person. This will allow them to bowl
I don't have a car! How can I get there?
- Sure! The Diversity Center can provide transportation to and from WOW! Zone for students who sign up at the Diversity Center front desk.
TEAM CAPTAINS register your team HERE