Caleb Ott ’25 understands the formula for success both in the classroom and on the national stage. His journey to academic excellence reached a thrilling milestone last month when he secured third place in the prestigious 2024 Microsoft Office Specialist U.S. National Championships.

Certiport, a Pearson VUE business and the leading provider of performance-based IT certification exams, recently hosted the national competition in Orlando, Florida. The road to the championships began months ago with more than 98,500 students from across the United States, ages 13-22, who entered one of six competition tracks by submitting a qualified passing score on one of the following certification exams: Microsoft Office Specialist Word, Microsoft Office Specialist Excel, or Microsoft Office Specialist PowerPoint. This field was narrowed to 195 finalists who advanced through rigorous state-level exams and qualifying tests. Caleb placed first in the state-level Excel division of the championship after taking the certification exam in late fall 2023.

“I’m proud to have placed third in the Microsoft Office Specialist US National Championships,” Ott said. “This achievement would not have been possible without the incredible support from Dr. Jason Davidson and the entire Butler community. Their encouragement and guidance have been invaluable throughout this journey, and I am grateful for the opportunities Butler University has provided me.”

At the 2024 Microsoft Office Specialist National Championships, finalists were given a printed copy of a document, spreadsheet, or presentation to recreate, along with printed instructions and digital assets. They were then scored according to the accuracy of their recreation compared to the original.

“I didn’t really know about the Championships until I took Data Analytics with Dr. Davidson. I took the certification exam as part of the class, and it all started there,” Ott said. “I didn’t think it would lead to competing in a national championship.”

While Ott might not have initially set out to compete in the championships, his coursework and previous internship experience laid a solid foundation for success. “A lot of Butler’s coursework and my internships helped me prepare,” Ott said. “I use Excel a lot in my daily life, so I didn’t feel like I had to do too much extra preparation.”

Dr. Jason Davidson, Assistant Professor in the Lacy School of Business, has been instrumental in encouraging students to pursue software certifications as part of their academic journey. Davidson, who teaches Data Analysis and Business Modeling, Business Intelligence, Data Network Engineering, and other introductory management information system courses, played a crucial role in establishing Butler University as a Microsoft-certified test center.

“I’ve been familiar with the certification exams for a while. Students in this specific class can sit for the certification exams—but they would usually have to go to another site to take the test,” Davidson said. “During COVID-19, everything closed. I worked with our General Counsel to set Butler up as a certified testing center, and now I can proctor the exams right here in our labs.”

Despite becoming a certified test center, Butler had never had a student or a class place in the state rankings. Last fall, the entire class took home the state championship title. Within that group, Ott’s test score earned him the individual championship position.

“Caleb’s hard work and drive are truly inspiring,” Davidson said. “His achievement in the Microsoft Office Specialist U.S. National Championships is a testament to his dedication. I am incredibly proud of his accomplishments and excited to see what the future holds for him.”

In addition to his spreadsheet success, Caleb is pursuing a double major in Applied Business Technology and Finance, with an anticipated graduation in 2025. He is also a student-athlete on the University Cheer team. His academic journey is fueled by a strong desire to excel in Python and Power BI, critical practices in the realm of data analysis. Beyond his academic pursuits, he is deeply committed to making a meaningful impact in the business and operations sectors by identifying innovative ways to optimize efficiency and explore creative solutions. Caleb originally hails from Carmel, Ind.

Dr. Craig Caldwell, Dean of the Lacy School of Business, expressed his pride in Caleb’s achievement, emphasizing the importance of the supportive environment fostered by Butler’s faculty. “With professors like Jason and students like Caleb, Butler’s Lacy School of Business continues to receive well-deserved accolades and recognition,” Caldwell said. “We are so proud of Caleb. He represents the very best of Butler.”

Caleb’s accomplishment is not just a testament to his effort and perseverance but also a reflection of the strong mentorship and academic support provided by Butler University’s faculty. The University is committed to nurturing the potential of its students, equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in their chosen fields.