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{{Short description|Private university in Indianapolis, Indiana, US}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2022}}
{{Infobox university
 | name                   = Butler University
 | image                  = Butler University seal.svg
 | image_upright          = .7
 | motto                  = Education, Research, Service
 | established            = {{start date and age|1855|11|1}}
 | type                   = [[Private university]]
 | endowment              = $295.85&nbsp;million (2024)<ref name=NACUBO>{{cite web |url=https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/nacubo1-nacubo-prd-dc8b/media/Nacubo/Documents/EndowmentFiles/2024-NCSE-Endowment-Market-Values-for-US-and-Canadian-Institutions-FINAL-Feb-12-2025.xlsx |title=U.S. and Canadian 2024 NCSE Participating Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2024 Endowment Market Value, Change in Market Value from FY23 to FY24, and FY24 Endowment Market Values Per Full-time Equivalent Student |date=February 12, 2025 |publisher=National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) |access-date=February 12, 2025 |format=XLSX |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250212074654/https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/nacubo1-nacubo-prd-dc8b/media/Nacubo/Documents/EndowmentFiles/2024-NCSE-Endowment-Market-Values-for-US-and-Canadian-Institutions-FINAL-Feb-12-2025.xlsx |archive-date=February 12, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref>
 | president              = [[James Danko]]
 | provost                = Brooke Barnett
 | academic_staff         = 372 (2024)<ref name="Butlerataglance" />
 | students                 = 5,763 (2024)<ref name="Butlerataglance" />
 | undergrad              = 4,519<ref name="Butlerataglance" />
 | postgrad               = 1,244<ref name="Butlerataglance" />
 | city                   = [[Indianapolis]]
 | state                  = [[Indiana]]
 | country                = United States
 | coor                   = {{Coord|39|50|22|N|86|10|17|W|scale:5000_region:US-IN_type:edu|display=inline,title}}
 | campus                 = Urban: {{convert|295|acre|ha}}<ref name="Butlerataglance" />
 | former_names           = North-Western Christian University (1855–1877) <br /> Butler College (1896–1906)
 | colors                 = Blue and white<ref name=Colors>{{cite web|title=Color Palette |url=https://www.butler.edu/marketing/color-palette/|access-date=October 14, 2022}}</ref><br />{{college color boxes|Butler Bulldogs}}
 | sporting_affiliations  = [[NCAA Division I]] [[Big East Conference|Big East]], [[Pioneer Football League|Pioneer League]] (football)
 | sports_nickname        = [[Butler Bulldogs|Bulldogs]]
 | mascot                 = [[Butler Blue#Blue IV|Butler Blue IV]]<br />Hink
 | accreditation          = [[Higher Learning Commission]]
 | academic_affiliations  = <!--do not include accreditation bodies such as WASC, NCA, etc.-->[[Council of Independent Colleges]]
 | website                = {{URL|butler.edu}}
 | logo                   = Butler University logo.svg
 | logo_upright           = 0.8
}}

'''Butler University''' is a [[private university]] in [[Indianapolis]], Indiana, United States. Founded in 1855 and named after founder [[Ovid Butler]], the university has over 60 major academic fields of study within six colleges in the arts, business, communication, education, [[liberal arts]] and the sciences, and [[health science]]s. It enrolls approximately 5,700 undergraduate and graduate students. Its {{convert|295|acre|adj=on}} campus is approximately {{convert|5|mi|spell=in}} north of [[downtown Indianapolis]].

==History==
[[File:Indiana foot-ball - DPLA - 1097cce73595ec059f0d0a66aa96a555 (page 208).jpg|thumb|left|Illustrations depicting buildings on the school's Irvington campus in 1896]]

On January 15, 1850, the [[Indiana General Assembly]] adopted [[Ovid Butler]]'s proposed charter for a new Christian university in Indianapolis. After five years in development, the school opened on November 1, 1855, as '''North-Western Christian University''' at 13th Street and College Avenue on Indianapolis's near northside at the eastern edge of the present-day [[Old Northside Historic District]]. Attorney and university founder Ovid Butler provided the property.<ref name="IndyEncyclopedia">"Butler University" in {{cite book |author=Waller |first=George M. |title=The Encyclopedia of Indianapolis |publisher=Indiana University Press |year=1994 |isbn=0-253-31222-1 |editor-last=Bodenhamer |editor-first=David J. |location=Bloomington |pages=372–74 |editor-last2=Barrows |editor-first2=Robert G.}}</ref><ref name="IndyEnc2">"Butler University Architecture" in Bodenhamer and Barrows, eds., ''The Encyclopedia of Indianapolis'', pp. 374–75.</ref><ref name="AboutBU_pdf">[http://www.butler.edu/pv_obj_cache/pv_obj_id_877324B29D83A35DFBC74F823C1FC07172332C00/filename/Bulletin_05_02_AboutBU.pdf About Butler University]{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, (Butler University), retrieved April 5, 2010.</ref> The university was founded by members of the [[Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)]], although it was never controlled by that church. The university's charter called for "a non-sectarian institution free from the taint of slavery, offering instruction in every branch of liberal and professional education".<ref name="IndyEncyclopedia"/> The university was the second in Indiana and the third in the United States to admit both men and women.<ref name="IndyEncyclopedia"/>

The university established the first professorship in English literature and the first Department of English in the state of Indiana. In 1869, Ovid Butler endowed the Demia Butler Chair of English Literature in honor of his daughter, who was the first woman to graduate from the Classical course at the university and had died in 1867. The chair was the first endowed position at an American university designated for a female professor.<ref name="IndyEncyclopedia"/><ref>As of 2015 the chair has been held been twice by male professors: William Howe (1904–05) and John Samuel Kenyon (1906–13). See {{cite web | title =The Demia Butler Chair of English Literature | work =Butler University Endowed Chairs and Professorships | publisher =Butler University | url =http://legacy.butler.edu/media/2606290/02_endowed_chairs.pdf | access-date =2016-01-28 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20170113235709/http://legacy.butler.edu/media/2606290/02_endowed_chairs.pdf | archive-date =January 13, 2017 | url-status =dead }}</ref> [[Catharine Merrill]], was the first to occupy the chair in 1869. Merrill was just the second female university professor in the country.<ref name=Merrill>Merrill began her fourteen-year teaching career at the school in its 1869–70 academic year and resigned the professorship in 1883. See: {{cite journal | author=Burriss, Natalie| title =Quite Progressive: The Life and Accomplishments of Catharine Merrill, 1824–1900 | journal =Connections: The Hoosier Geneolgist | volume =54 | issue =1 | pages =52–53| publisher =Indiana Historical Society | location =Indianapolis | date =Spring 2014 }} See also: {{cite book | editor=Linda C. Gugin and James E. St. Clair | title = Indiana's 200: The People Who Shaped the Hoosier State | publisher =Indiana Historical Society Press| year =2015 | location =Indianapolis | page =41 | isbn =978-0-87195-387-2}}</ref>

[[File:BonaThompson Memorial Library.jpg|thumb|[[Bona Thompson Memorial Library]], the only remaining building from Butler's Irvington campus]]

The university moved to a new {{convert|25|acre|ha|adj=on}} campus in the community of [[Irvington Historic District (Indianapolis, Indiana)|Irvington]] on the east side of Indianapolis in 1875, and changed its name to Butler University in 1877.<ref>{{cite book |author1=[[Catharine Merrill]] |author2=[[Katharine Merrill Graydon]] | title =Catharine Merrill, Life and Letters: Collected and Arranged | publisher =The Mitchell Company | year =1934 | location =Greenfield, IN | pages =373–74; 376–77| oclc=7102104}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=Butler University : A Sesquicentennial History|last=Waller|first=George M.|publisher=[[Indiana University Press]]|year=2006|isbn=0-253-34723-8|location=Bloomington, Indiana|pages=85}}</ref> The university was renamed for Ovid Butler "in recognition of Ovid Butler's inspirational vision, determined leadership, and financial support". The campus consisted of several buildings, including an observatory, most of which were demolished in 1939. The [[Bona Thompson Memorial Center|Bona Thompson Library]] at the intersection of Downey and University avenues, designed by architects [[Henry H. Dupont]] and Jesse T. Johnson, is the only remaining building, although several buildings that housed faculty remain, including the [[Benton House]].<ref name="IndyEncyclopedia"/><ref name="IndyEnc2"/>

In 1896, Butler joined with two private professional schools, the [[Medical College of Indiana]] and the Indiana Law School, to form the [[University of Indianapolis (1896)|University of Indianapolis]] (U of I), an institution unrelated to the [[University of Indianapolis|modern university of that name]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=University of Indianapolis |url=https://www.lostcolleges.com/university-of-indianapolis |access-date=2023-05-20 |website=lost-colleges |language=en}}</ref> The Indiana Dental College later joined in 1904. Renamed as Butler College, the school constituted the undergraduate and liberal arts organ of the new university.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-03-27 |title=Butler University |url=https://indyencyclopedia.org/butler-university/ |access-date=2023-05-20 |website=indyencyclopedia.org |language=en-US}}</ref> Butler left U of I in 1906 after the Medical College of Indiana joined with [[Purdue University]]'s medical school in 1905 (itself later merging with the [[Indiana University School of Medicine]] in 1908).

{{anchor|Teachers College of Indianapolis}}In 1930, Butler merged with the [[Teachers College of Indianapolis]], founded by [[Eliza Cooper Blaker]], creating the university's second college. The third college, the College of Business Administration, was established in 1937, and the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences was established in 1945, following a merger that absorbed the Indianapolis College of Pharmacy. The Jordan College of Fine Arts, the university's fifth college, was established in 1951, following a merger with the Arthur Jordan Conservatory of Music.

The university's department of religion became a separate Christian Church seminary and "college of applied Christianity" in 1924; it was variously called the School of Religion and the College of Religion.<ref name="Waller">{{cite book |last=Waller |first=George "Mac" |title=Butler University: A Sesquicentennial History |publisher=Indiana University Press |year=2006 |isbn=0-253-34723-8 |location=Bloomington, Ind. |page=149}}</ref> The school became independent in 1958 and is currently known as the [[Christian Theological Seminary]].<ref name="IndyEnc2" />

==Campus==
{{stack|
[[File:Aerial view of the Butler University campus in Indianapolis, Indiana.jpg|thumb|Aerial of Butler University campus (2016)]]
[[File:Jordan Hall 4.JPG|thumb|[[Arthur Jordan Memorial Hall]], completed in 1928, is the oldest structure on campus.]]
[[File:Butler Winter 2015 03.jpg|thumb|[[Minoru Yamasaki]]'s [[Irwin Library]] in snow]]
}}
Enrollment at Butler increased following the end of [[World War I]], prompting the administration to examine the need for a larger campus. The new and current campus, designed in part by architect George Sheridan, was formed on the site of Fairview Park, a former amusement park on the city's northwest side.<ref name="IndyEncyclopedia"/><ref name="IndyEnc2"/> Classes began on the campus in 1928.<ref name="Butlerataglance">{{cite web |url=http://www.butler.edu/about/campus-information/at-a-glance |title=At a Glance |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100329185211/http://www.butler.edu/about/campus-information/at-a-glance |archivedate=2010-03-29 |work=Butler University |accessdate=2010-03-16 }}</ref>

In 1928, the first building completed on the Fairview campus was [[Arthur Jordan Memorial Hall]], designed by Robert Frost Daggett and Thomas Hibben. The structure's Collegiate Gothic style of architecture, also used in the original [[William Tinsley (architect)|William Tinsley]]-designed 13th Street and College Avenue building, set the tone for subsequent buildings erected on the campus over the next three decades.<ref name="IndyEncyclopedia" /><ref name="IndyEnc2" /> The same year, the Butler Fieldhouse (later renamed [[Hinkle Fieldhouse]]) was completed after having been designed by architect Fermor Spencer Cannon. The building remained the largest indoor sports facility in the state until the mid-1960s.<ref name="IndyEncyclopedia" /><ref name="IndyEnc2"/>

In 1942, the Religion Building and Sweeney Chapel were both completed. These structures, designed by Burns and James, were remodeled and combined into Robertson Hall in 1966.<ref name="IndyEncyclopedia" /><ref name="IndyEnc2"/>

Following [[World War II]], construction began on the student center, Atherton Union (designed by McGuire and Shook). McGuire and Shook also designed the dormitories called Ross Hall and Schwitzer Hall. Art Lindbergh, with help from Daggett, designed the [[Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium]], which was dedicated in 1955.<ref name="IndyEncyclopedia" /><ref name="IndyEnc2"/>

In 1963, [[Irwin Library]], designed by acclaimed architect [[Minoru Yamasaki]], opened. Also in the early 1960s, Lilly Hall and [[Clowes Memorial Hall]] were constructed following the move of the Arthur Jordan Conservatory of Music to the campus. Clowes Hall, which opened in 1963, was co-designed by Indianapolis architect [[Evans Woollen III]] and [[John M. Johansen]] (of [[New Canaan, Connecticut]]). Ten years following the construction of Clowes Hall and Irwin Library, the science complex of Gallahue Hall and the Holcomb Research Institute (now Holcomb Building) were built, completing the U-shaped complex of academic buildings.<ref name="IndyEncyclopedia" /><ref name="IndyEnc2"/><ref>{{cite journal| first=Kevin A.| last=Drawbaugh| title =Woollen's Mark Seen on Major Indiana Buildings | journal =Indianapolis News | pages =C3 | location =Indianapolis |date=1988-02-16 }} See: "Biographical" Sketch in {{cite book | title =Woollen, Molzan and Partners, Inc. Architectural Records, ca. 1912–2011 | publisher =Indiana Historical Society | year =2017 | location =Indianapolis | url =http://www.indianahistory.org/our-collections/collection-guides/woollen-molzan-partners-inc-architectural-records  }} See also: Mary Ellen Gadski, "Woollen, Molzan and Partners" in {{cite book | editor =David J. Bodenhamer and Robert G. Barrows|title =The Encyclopedia of Indianapolis  | publisher =Indiana University Press | year =1994 | location =Bloomington and Indianapolis | pages =1453–54 | isbn =0-253-31222-1}}</ref>

In 1990, the Residential College, designed by James and Associates, was completed, becoming the university's last major construction project of the 20th century.<ref name="IndyEncyclopedia" /><ref name="IndyEnc2"/>

In 2001, the Fairbanks Center for Communication and Technology was opened.{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}

In early 2004, the Eidson-Duckwall Recital Hall, seating 140, was added onto Robertson Hall.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.butler.edu/music/facilities/eidson-duckwall |title=Eidson-Duckwall Recital Hall |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100602111517/https://www.butler.edu/music/facilities/eidson-duckwall |archivedate=2010-06-02 |work=Butler University |accessdate=2010-06-12 }}</ref>

On May 8, 2008, Butler broke ground on a {{convert|40000|sqft|m2|adj=on}}, four-story addition to the Pharmacy and Health Sciences Building.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.butler.edu/absolutenm/templates/?a=708&z=22 |title=Butler Breaks Ground on $14 Million Pharmacy, Health Sciences Addition |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224205733/http://www.butler.edu/absolutenm/templates/?a=708&z=22 |archivedate=2012-02-24 |work=Butler University |accessdate=2008-05-08 }}</ref>

In 2013, the Howard L. Schrott Center for the Arts opened.{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}

==Academics==
{{Infobox US university ranking
<!-- U.S. rankings -->| ARWU_NU = <!-- NR -->
| Forbes = 216
| USNWR_NU = <!-- NR -->
| Wamo_NU = <!-- NR -->
| THE_WSJ = 165
<!-- Regional rankings -->| USNWR_REG = 1
<!-- Global rankings -->| Wamo_MASTERSU = 163
}}

The university is organized into the following schools and colleges:
* Andre B. Lacy School of Business
* College of Communication
* College of Education
* College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
* College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
* Jordan College of the Arts
* Founder's College

Over 60 major academic fields of study, 8 pre-professional programs, and 19 graduate programs are offered across the seven academic colleges. Butler ranks first among Midwest Regional Universities in ''U.S. News & World Report''{{'}}s 2024 Best Colleges. The publication also ranked the university first in the Midwest for both innovation and undergraduate teaching. Nationally, the publication ranked Butler 16th for first-year experiences and 28th for study abroad opportunities.

The university emphasizes the practicality of knowledge and offers individual attention to its students with its small class size and no teaching assistants. Butler University increased its focus on faculty and student research with the Butler Institute for Research and Scholarship (BIRS), bolstered by a $1-million grant from [[Lilly Endowment]].<ref>[http://www.butler.edu/birs/ Institute for Research and Scholarship], (Butler University), retrieved March 16, 2010.</ref> The university also provides student research opportunities, such as the Butler Summer Institute, a 10-week program in which Butler students are granted funding to perform independent research with a faculty member.<ref>[http://www.butler.edu/research-scholarship/undergraduate-research/summer-institute Butler Summer Institute] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100509051902/http://www.butler.edu/research-scholarship/undergraduate-research/summer-institute |date=May 9, 2010 }}, (Butler University – Institute for Research and Scholarship), retrieved March 16, 2010.</ref>

=== Founder's College ===
In the fall of 2025, the Founder's College opened its doors to 100 students making up its first cohort.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Jarrett |first=Dennis |date=February 2025 |title=Founders College: Pioneering Access and Excellence at Butler University |url=https://indyfareastmag.com/magazines/february-vol-3-issue-10/ |access-date=October 22, 2025 |magazine=The Indy Far East |pages=18–19 |volume=3 |issue=9}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> Named after Butler's abolitionist founder, Ovid Butler, this institution aims to serve students that are a part of historically underserved communities.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rafford |first=Claire |date=2024-03-26 |title=Butler University to honor abolitionist founder Ovid Butler |url=https://mirrorindy.org/butlers-new-two-year-college-is-named-after-abolitionist-founder/ |access-date=2025-10-23 |website=Mirror Indy |language=en-US}}</ref> The inaugural dean, [[Carolyn Gentle-Genitty|Carolyn Gentle-Gennitty]] was named in June 2024, ahead of its opening.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Rafford |first=Claire |date=2024-04-28 |title=Dean of Butler's 2-year college pledges support to students |url=https://mirrorindy.org/butler-university-indianapolis-dean-carolyn-gentle-genitty-associate-degree/ |access-date=2025-10-22 |website=Mirror Indy |language=en-US}}</ref>

The goal of the Founder's College is to be an institution that allows students to earn a 2-year degree debt-free, while offering wraparound support for students facing demographic challenges.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rafford |first=Claire |date=2025-04-29 |title=Space for Butler's two-year college prioritizes student access |url=https://mirrorindy.org/butler-university-indianapolis-founders-college-building/ |access-date=2025-10-22 |website=Mirror Indy |language=en-US}}</ref> Founder's college utilizes the Come to Believe Network model implemented at Arrupe College of [[Loyola University Chicago]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2025-04-23 |title=Founder's College evens playing field with free tuition, support for low-income students |url=https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2025/04/23/founders-college |access-date=2025-11-13 |website=www.wbur.org |language=en}}</ref> Under this model, their aim is to remove the barriers of high performing students with low income backgrounds by surrounding the students with support services.  The students receive full wrap around services that include free laptops, access to free meals, full book support, a counselor, career coaching and access to a social worker in addition to free tuition.<ref name=":1" />

==Student life==
{| class="wikitable floatright sortable collapsible"; text-align:right; font-size:80%;"
|+ style="font-size:90%" |Student body composition as of May 2, 2022
|-
! Race and ethnicity<ref>{{cite web |title=College Scorecard: Butler University|url=https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?150163-Butler_University |publisher=[[United States Department of Education]] |access-date=May 8, 2022}}</ref>
! colspan="2" data-sort-type=number |Total
|-
| [[Non-Hispanic whites|White]]
|align=right| {{bartable|83|%|2||background:gray}}
|-
| [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic]]
|align=right| {{bartable|6|%|2||background:green}}
|-
| [[African Americans|Black]]
|align=right| {{bartable|4|%|2||background:mediumblue}}
|-
| Other{{efn|Other consists of [[Multiracial Americans]] & those who prefer to not say.}}
|align=right| {{bartable|4|%|2||background:brown}}
|-
| [[Asian Americans|Asian]]
|align=right| {{bartable|3|%|2||background:purple}}
|-
| [[Foreign national]]
|align=right| {{bartable|1|%|2||background:orange}}
|-
! colspan="4" data-sort-type=number |[[Economic diversity]]
|-
| [[American lower class|Low-income]]{{efn|The percentage of students who received an income-based federal [[Pell grant]] intended for low-income students.}}
|align=right| {{bartable|14|%|2||background:red}}
|-
| [[Affluence in the United States|Affluent]]{{efn|The percentage of students who are a part of the [[American middle class]] at the bare minimum.}}
|align=right| {{bartable|86|%|2||background:black}}
|}
Students at Butler University participate in more than 150 student organizations and dozens of club and [[intramural sports]], and many multi-cultural programs and services. More than 94 percent of students are involved in campus activities.<ref name="butler.edu">{{cite web |url=http://www.butler.edu/at-a-glance/ |title=At a Glance – Butler University |access-date=2013-02-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019040038/http://www.butler.edu/at-a-glance/ |archive-date=October 19, 2014 |df=mdy-all }} (Butler University), retrieved February 15, 2013.</ref>

===Greek organizations===
Greek life is a popular option at Butler with over 35 percent of undergraduates becoming members of social [[Fraternities and sororities in North America|fraternities or sororities]].<ref name="butler.edu"/> Fraternities and sororities have long been a part of student life at Butler, with the first fraternity established in 1859, and the first sorority established in 1874.<ref>[http://www.butler.edu/greek-life/chapters/interfraternity-council-chapters Interfraternity Council Chapters] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100610020511/http://www.butler.edu/greek-life/chapters/interfraternity-council-chapters |date=June 10, 2010 }} (Butler University), retrieved June 9, 2010.</ref>

In 1922, [[Sigma Gamma Rho]] was founded at Butler University. The sorority had its beginnings on the Irvington campus of Butler University.<ref>[http://www.butler.edu/greek-life/chapters/national-pan-hellenic-council National Pan-Hellenic Council] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100603145609/https://www.butler.edu/greek-life/chapters/national-pan-hellenic-council |date=June 3, 2010 }}, (Butler University), retrieved June 10, 2010.</ref>

==Athletics==
<!-- INFORMATION ABOUT INDIVIDUAL SEASONS SHOULD GO ON THE "BUTLER BULLDOGS" PAGE, NOT HERE -->
{{Main|Butler Bulldogs}}
Butler's athletic teams, known as the [[Butler Bulldogs]], compete in [[Division I (NCAA)|Division I]] of the [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]]. On July 1, 2012, the Bulldogs left the [[Horizon League]], their conference home since 1979, for the [[Atlantic 10 Conference]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indystar.com/article/20120529/SPORTS0605/120529032/|title=Butler University-Bulldogs - Indianapolis Star - indystar.com|work=Indianapolis Star}}</ref><ref>[http://www.atlantic10.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/052912aab.html Butler joins A10 for 2012] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120601123119/http://www.atlantic10.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/052912aab.html |date=June 1, 2012 }}</ref> Since the A-10 does not sponsor [[college football|football]], the [[Butler Bulldogs football|Butler football team]] plays in the [[Division I (NCAA)#Football Championship Subdivision|FCS's]] [[Pioneer Football League|Pioneer League]]. The women's golf team at Butler joined the [[Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference]], as the A-10 sponsors the sport only for men. Butler left the Atlantic 10 Conference and became a founding member of the [[2010–13 Big East Conference realignment|reconfigured]] [[Big East Conference]] on July 1, 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/9074722/new-big-east-adds-butler-bulldogs-creighton-bluejays-xavier-musketeers|title=New Big East adds Butler Bulldogs, Creighton Bluejays, Xavier Musketeers – ESPN|date=March 20, 2013 |publisher=ESPN}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.butlersports.com/releases/big-east-official |title=Butler University To Join Big East For 2013–14 |work=butlersports.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207043417/http://www.butlersports.com/releases/big-east-official |archive-date=December 7, 2013 |df=mdy }}</ref>

In the past decade, Butler teams have captured 26 conference championships (in four different leagues). The Bulldogs have made appearances in NCAA National Championship Tournaments in men's and women's basketball, men's soccer, volleyball, men's cross country, lacrosse, and baseball. Butler won the James J. McCafferty trophy, awarded annually by the Horizon League for all-sports excellence based on conference championship points, seven times, including three-straight from 1996 to 1997 to 1998–99 and back-to-back years in 2001–02 and 2002–03, 2006–07, and 2009–10.<ref name="AboutBUSports">[http://www.butlersports.com/information/general_athletics Butler Athletics] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101027030113/http://butlersports.com/information/general_athletics |date=October 27, 2010 }}, (ButlerSports), retrieved June 7, 2010.</ref>

===Men's basketball===
{{Main|Butler Bulldogs men's basketball}}

[[File:Brad Stevens talking with AJ Graves.jpg|thumb|right|Former Butler head coach [[Brad Stevens]] led his teams to two [[NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship|NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship games]] in his six seasons as head coach (2007–2013).]]

The Butler program was one of the most successful "[[mid-major]]" basketball programs from 2000 to 2011, having won at least 20 games and reached postseason play eight of the last ten seasons, including six [[NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship|NCAA tournament]] appearances.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20100319004616/http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/tournament/history/_/team1/5468 ESPN's NCAA basketball tournament History – Butler Bulldogs], ([[ESPN]]), retrieved March 15, 2010.</ref> Butler also holds two national championships in men's basketball from the pre-tournament era: one from 1924 (earned via the AAU national tournament), and one from 1929 (selected by the Veteran Athletes of Philadelphia).<ref>[http://www.butlersports.com/genrel/072103aaa.html Butler To Induct Seven Individuals, Two Teams Into Hall of Fame] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101030030246/http://butlersports.com/genrel/072103aaa.html |date=October 30, 2010 }}, (Butler University – The Official Athletics Site), retrieved March 15, 2010.</ref>

In 2010 and 2011, Butler qualified for consecutive national championship games. The [[2009–10 Butler Bulldogs men's basketball team|2010 Butler team]], led by star player [[Gordon Hayward]], [[2010 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|advanced to the national championship game]] at their hometown Lucas Oil Stadium, where they lost a close game to [[2009–10 Duke Blue Devils men's basketball team|Duke]], while creating an enduring reputation of its athletes prioritizing education by attending classes the day of the game.<ref>https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2020-03-05/remember-butlers-incredible-2010-ncaa-run#:~:text=I%20saw%20Krzyzewski%20after%20the,day%20of%20the%20national%20championship. {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2025}}</ref> With a total enrollment of only 4,500 students, Butler is the smallest school to play for a national championship since the tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985. In [[2010–11 Butler Bulldogs men's basketball team|2011]], the Bulldogs [[2011 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|advanced to the championship game]] but finished as runners-up again, this time losing to [[2010–11 Connecticut Huskies men's basketball team|Connecticut]].

===Football===
{{Main|Butler Bulldogs football}}

The [[Hoosier Helmet Trophy]] was established as the trophy helmet for the rivalry football game played between Butler and [[Valparaiso University]]. The Hoosier Helmet was created prior to the 2006 season to commemorate the football rivalry that has existed since 1921. The helmet trophy was created to further intensify the rivalry between these two teams. A group of Butler players, along with their head coach, [[Jeff Voris]], came up with the idea. After Valparaiso head coach Stacey Adams agreed to play for the helmet, Butler equipment manager John Harding put the trophy together.

==Notable people==

===Alumni===
{{summarize|from|List of Butler University alumni|section=y|date=September 2023}}

{{Main|List of Butler University alumni}}

===Faculty and staff===
* [[Allen R. Benton]], president and professor of philosophy and ancient languages
* [[Igor Buketoff]], conductor and teacher
* [[Gordon Clark]], theologian
* [[Michael J. Colburn]], director of the [[United States Marine Band]].
* [[Tony Hinkle|Paul D. "Tony" Hinkle]], developed the orange basketball
* [[Henry Leck]], Associate Professor of Music
* [[Catharine Merrill]], Professor English Literature<ref name=Merrill/>
* [[Walter Myers Jr.]], Justice of the [[Indiana Supreme Court]]
* [[Susan Neville]], creative writing professor
* [[Matt Pivec]], saxophonist
* [[Samuel E. Perkins]], Justice of the [[Indiana Supreme Court]]
* [[Michael Schelle]], composer and teacher
* [[Marvin Scott]], professor
* [[Brad Stevens]], basketball coach
* [[Emma Lou Thornbrough]], historian

==Presidents==
The following persons has led the Butler University and its predecessor, North-Western Christian University, since 1858 as president:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.butler.edu/about-butler/president/past-presidents/ |title=Past Presidents |publisher=Butler University}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!{{abbr|No.|Number}}
!Image
!President
!Term start
!Term end
!{{abbr|Refs.|References}}
|- bgcolor="#e6e6aa"
|–
|
|John Young{{efn-ua|never appointed president}}
|1856
|1858
|
|-
|1
|
|Samuel K. Hoshour{{efn-ua|first officially appointed president}}
|1858
|1861
|
|-
|2
|[[File:Allen R. Benton.png|70px]]
|[[Allen R. Benton]]
|1861
|1868
|
|-
|3
|
|Otis A. Burgess
|1868
|1870
|
|-
|4
|
|William F. Black
|1870
|1873
|
|-
|5
|
|Otis A. Burgess
|1873
|1881
|
|-
|6
|
|Harvey W. Everest
|1881
|1886
|
|-
|7
|[[File:Allen R. Benton.png|70px]]
|[[Allen R. Benton]]
|1886
|1891
|
|-
|8
|
|Scot Butler
|1891
|1904
|
|-
|9
|
|Winfred Garrison
|1904
|1906
|
|-
|10
|
|Scot Butler
|1906
|1907
|
|-
|11
|
|Thomas Carr Howe
|1908
|1920
|
|- bgcolor="#e6e6aa"
|acting
|
|James W. Putnam
|1920
|1921
|
|-
|12
|
|Robert J. Aley
|September 1921
|June 30, 1931
|<ref>{{cite news |url=https://indystar.newspapers.com/newspage/121723244/ |title=ALEY BECOMES BUTLER'S HEAD |date=July 27, 1921 |page=16 |newspaper=[[The Indianapolis Star]] |url-access=subscription |quote=Dr. Robert J. Aley, president of the University of Maine for eleven years, yesterday accepted the presidency of Butler college. He announced that his resignation as head of the Maine institution will be sent in immediately and he will assume his duties as president of the Irvington school in September.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://indystar.newspapers.com/newspage/37778578/ |title=ALEY RESIGNS AS BUTLER PRESIDENT |date=May 12, 1931 |page=1 |newspaper=[[The Indianapolis Star]] |url-access=subscription |quote=University to Receive His Home. Dr. Robert J. Aley, president of Butler University, at meeting of the trustees of the institution Tuesday noon, asked to be relieved of his active. duties as president and submitted his resignation to become fective at the end of the college fiscal year, July 1. Members of the board accepted the resignation and asked that he serve as president emeritus and accept a retirement allowance.}}</ref>
|- bgcolor="#e6e6aa"
|acting
|
|James W. Putnam
|July 1, 1931
|August 1931
|
|-
|13
|
|Walter S. Athearn
|August 1931
|October 30, 1933
|<ref>{{cite news |url=https://indystar.newspapers.com/newspage/105096804/ |title=Athearn Chosen By Butler Board |date=July 8, 1931 |page=24 |newspaper=[[The Indianapolis Star]] |url-access=subscription |quote=Dr. Walter Scott Athearn of Washington was elected president of Butler university yesterday afternoon. Members of the board of directors concurred in a report submitted by a special committee appointed to select a successor to Dr. Robert Judson Aley.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://indystar.newspapers.com/newspage/313218411/ |title=ATHEARN, BUTLER HEAD, TO RESIGN |date=October 30, 1933 |page=1 |newspaper=[[The Indianapolis News]] |url-access=subscription |quote=Walter Scott Athearn, president of Butler University, Monday afternoon was preparing a letter of resignation to be sent to the board of directors of the institution.}}</ref>
|- bgcolor="#e6e6aa"
|acting
|rowspan=2 bgcolor="#ffffff" |
|rowspan=2 bgcolor="#ffffff" |James W. Putnam
|October 30, 1933
|January 12, 1935
|<ref>{{cite news |url=https://indystar.newspapers.com/newspage/105239949/ |title=Putnam Named Temporary Head |date=October 31, 1933 |page=2 |newspaper=[[The Indianapolis Star]] |url-access=subscription |quote=Dr. James W. Putnam, who be comes acting president of Butler university with the departure of Dr. Walter S. Athearn}}</ref>
|-
|14
|January 12, 1935
|June 1939
|<ref>{{cite news |url=https://indystar.newspapers.com/newspage/313431634/ |title=THRICE CALLED BY BUTLER |date=January 12, 1935 |page=2 |newspaper=[[The Indianapolis News]] |url-access=subscription |quote=Thrice called to assume the office of acting president of Butler University, Dr. James W. Putnam Saturday became president.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://indystar.newspapers.com/newspage/314414899/ |title=Dr. Putnam Resigns From President Post At Butler University |date=April 12, 1939 |pages=1, 8 |newspaper=[[The Indianapolis News]] |url-access=subscription |quote=Dr. James W. Putnam, who has been president of Butler University since January, 1935, submitted his resignation this afternoon to the university's board of directors. He will become president emeritus and head of the graduate division, succeeding Dr. Henry Lane Bruner, retired, in the latter capacity. A committee will be appointed by the board to select a successor to Dr. Putnam, who has been connected with thirty years. Members of the board said no one is under consideration at present. Dr. Putnam called in the deans of the various colleges at the university this forenoon and told them of his plans, and then prepared his formal resignation.}}</ref>
|-
|15
|
|Daniel S. Robinson
|June 1939
|February 23, 1942
|<ref>{{cite news |url=https://indystar.newspapers.com/newspage/314342454/ |title=Dr. Daniel S. Robinson of I.U. Appointed as 13th President of Butler University |date=May 16, 1939 |pages=1, 8 |newspaper=[[The Indianapolis News]] |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref name="Robinson resigns">{{cite news |url=https://indystar.newspapers.com/newspage/104899415/ |title=Dr. Robinson Resigns As President of Butler |date=February 24, 1942 |page=1 |newspaper=[[The Indianapolis Star]] |url-access=subscription |quote=Dr. Daniel S. Robinson yesterday resigned as president of Butler University, effective immediately, and the board of trustees named Dr. Maurice O. Ross, dean of the school of business administration, as acting president.}}</ref>
|- bgcolor="#e6e6aa"
|acting
|rowspan=2 bgcolor="#ffffff" |
|rowspan=2 bgcolor="#ffffff" |M. O. Ross
|February 23, 1942
|December 16, 1942
|<ref name="Robinson resigns"/>
|-
|16
|December 16, 1942
|August 31, 1962
|<ref>{{cite news |url=https://indystar.newspapers.com/newspage/314458022/ |title=BUTLER PRESIDENT |date=December 19, 1942 |page=6 |newspaper=[[The Indianapolis News]] |url-access=subscription |quote=Designation of Dr. M.O. Ross as actual president of Butler University, rather than acting president, a title conferred upon him last February, does not change his relationship to the institution.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://indystar.newspapers.com/newspage/311500928/ |title=Ross Has Been Builder and Enricher of Butler |date=June 11, 1962 |page=11 |newspaper=[[The Indianapolis News]] |url-access=subscription |quote=Dr. M. 0. (for Maurice O'Rear) Ross will retire as Butler University's president August 31, the end of the university fiscal year.}}</ref>
|- bgcolor="#e6e6aa"
|acting
|rowspan=2 bgcolor="#ffffff" |
|rowspan=2 bgcolor="#ffffff" |Alexander E. Jones
|September 1, 1962
|January 25, 1963
|<ref>{{cite news |url=https://indystar.newspapers.com/newspage/312045575/ |title=Liberal Arts Dean Named Acting Butler President |date=April 10, 1962 |page=1 |newspaper=[[The Indianapolis News]] |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
|-
|17
|January 26, 1963
|February 22, 1977
|<ref>{{cite news |url=https://indystar.newspapers.com/newspage/311756404/ |title=New Head Discloses Higher Butler Goals |date=January 28, 1963 |page=22 |newspaper=[[The Indianapolis News]] |url-access=subscription |quote=Dr. Jones who was unanimously elected by the board of trustees Saturday to serve as Butler's 15th president...}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://indystar.newspapers.com/newspage/105902293/ |title=Alexander Jones Suddenly Resigns Butler Presidency |date=February 23, 1977 |page=1 |first=Harley R. |last=Pierce |newspaper=[[The Indianapolis Star]] |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
|- bgcolor="#e6e6aa"
|acting
|
|Paul R. Stewart
|February 22, 1977
|August 31, 1978
|
|-
|18
|
|John G. Johnson
|September 1, 1978
|December 31, 1988
|<ref>{{cite news |url=https://indystar.newspapers.com/newspage/312846961/ |title=Plans To Move Out |date=June 22, 1978 |page=3 |newspaper=[[The Indianapolis News]] |url-access=subscription |quote=John G. "Jack" Johnson, the educator who will be installed as Butler's 16th president on Sept. 1, is about to break that tradition.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://indystar.newspapers.com/newspage/312922836/ |title=Chief to step aside at Butler |date=November 15, 1988 |page=2 |newspaper=[[The Indianapolis News]] |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
|-
|19
|
|[[Geoffrey Bannister]]
|January 1, 1989
|May 31, 2000
|<ref>{{cite news |url=https://indystar.newspapers.com/newspage/313135442/ |title=Bannister to head Butler |date=December 6, 1988 |page=2 |newspaper=[[The Indianapolis News]] |url-access=subscription |quote=A geography scholar who joined the Butler University faculty 17 months ago will become the school's 17th president.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://indystar.newspapers.com/newspage/107388747/ |title=Bannister will end his reign at Butler, after era of change |date=July 7, 1999 |page=1 |first=Rob |last=Schneider |newspaper=[[The Indianapolis Star]] |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
|- bgcolor="#e6e6aa"
|interim
|
|Gwen Fountain
|June 1, 2000
|May 31, 2001
|<ref>{{cite news |url=https://indystar.newspapers.com/newspage/106427583/ |title=Butler University names female interim leader |date=April 5, 2000 |page=22 |newspaper=[[The Indianapolis Star]] |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
|-
|20
|[[File:Bobby Fong, Ursinus College President.jpg|70px]]
|[[Bobby Fong]]
|June 1, 2001
|May 31, 2011
|<ref>{{cite news |url=https://indystar.newspapers.com/newspage/107468477/ |title=New chief at Butler |date=December 5, 2000 |pages=1, 20 |newspaper=[[The Indianapolis Star]] |url-access=subscription |quote=Butler University's trustees on Monday selected Bobby Fong, dean of faculties at Hamilton College in Clinton, N.Y., as the private school's 20th president.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.butler.edu/absolutenm/templates/?a=2207&z=22 |title=Bobby Fong To Become 13th President of Ursinus College |date=October 29, 2010 |publisher=Butler University |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101105050127/http://www.butler.edu/absolutenm/templates/?a=2207&z=22 |archive-date=2010-11-05}}</ref>
|-
|21
|[[File:James Danko 2024.jpg|70px]]
|[[James Danko]]
|July 1, 2011
|present
|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://thebutlercollegian.com/2011/04/5663/ |title=Villanova's James Danko to be Butler University's 21st President |date=April 27, 2011	|newspaper=The Butler Collegian |quote=James Danko will succeed Bobby Fong as Butler University’s 21st President.}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/butler-university-names-villanova-business-dean-james-danko-as-president-elect-120795579.html |title=Butler University Names Villanova Business Dean James Danko as President-Elect |date=April 27, 2011	|publisher=Butler University |via=PR Newswire}}</ref>
|-
|}

Table notes:
{{notelist-ua|refs=

}}

== See also ==
{{Portal bar|Indiana|Education|Sports}}

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Butler University}}
* {{Official website}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150410014949/http://butlersports.com/landing/index Butler Athletics website]
* {{Cite Collier's|wstitle=Butler College|short=x}}

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