On Thursday, October 10, 36 Butler donors whose lifetime giving to the University has reached $100,000 or more were newly inducted into the Carillon Society, Butler’s premiere cumulative giving society. Including the newest inductees, the Carillon Society now includes 436 living honorees.

The newest class of Carillon Society inductees has collectively contributed more than $2.2 million to the University across 117 different funds, including causes such as the Fund to Support Student Mental Health, the Butler Food Pantry, Butler Athletics, the Butler Band, and more than 30 different scholarship funds. 

The dinner reception was followed by a program highlighting Butler Athletics. Grant Leiendecker ʼ11, Vice President and Director of Athletics, moderated a panel featuring four Butler student-athletes who shared insights about their collegiate athletic experience. The panel included Cristen Carter ʼ27 (Women’s Basketball), Evan Haywood ʼ28 (Men’s Basketball), Madalin Small ʼ25 (Women’s Golf), and Ben Whiteside ʼ25 (Baseball).

“Butler simply wouldn’t be where we are today without your partnership, and your generosity, and your shared commitment to faithfully stewarding Butler University for the next generation of students,” Jonathan Purvis, Vice President of University Advancement and Marketing, said in remarks to the honorees.

The students shared lessons learned from their athletic experience, including time management, how to handle stress and pressure, and the value of community. Leiendecker noted that thanks in part to donor support, Butler Athletics has recently hired a Director of Mental Health who leads the department’s efforts to provide comprehensive mental health support to student-athletes, including the support of a Sports Psychologist. Student-athletes shared personal stories about the impact of the department’s focus on mental health in improving their academic and athletic experiences.

The panel was followed by Butler President Jim Danko, who remarked that Butler student-athletes embody characteristics such as integrity, commitment, humility, and selflessness, which are also demonstrated consistently throughout the University community. Danko noted that these character qualities are also evident among faculty, staff, alumni, and the Board of Trustees, many of whom were in attendance at the ceremony. New Carillon Society inductees were then welcomed on stage to be honored individually for their contributions to the University during the induction ceremony.

Philanthropic gifts fuel our mission. The Office of University Advancement exists to match the Butler community’s philanthropic interests with University needs in support of our strategic direction. Make a gift today or learn more about Butler’s current giving priorities.