For Aaron Wright ’05, the Butler experience was defined by the personal connections and “aha” moments that happened both inside and outside the classroom. From the rigor of the Lacy School of Business to the transformative six months he spent studying in Spain, Butler provided the foundation for a meaningful life. Although he and his husband, Joe Lobos, now reside in Washington, D.C., Wright remains deeply connected to Butler. He recently documented a planned gift to create a scholarship for students majoring or minoring in the arts or foreign languages—an investment designed to honor his own Butler experience and open doors for others to pursue both professional excellence and cultural curiosity.
Why is Butler special to you?
Butler’s personalized environment made all the difference in my education. The small class sizes meant I had direct access to faculty and staff who knew me by name and invested in my success. This personal attention allowed me to thrive as a double major in accounting and Spanish, and the University’s excellent study abroad programs gave me the opportunity to spend six months in Spain—an experience that brought my language studies to life and broadened my worldview in ways I couldn’t have imagined. Butler also provided me with diverse opportunities to engage with the University community, from working as a tour guide in the Office of Admission and serving as a student worker at Clowes Memorial Hall to acting as a student research assistant for an accounting professor. Butler showed me that success is more than a resume; it’s about staying curious and making space for beauty and creativity in everything you do.
What prompted you to think about documenting a planned gift?
As I’ve advanced in my career and reflected on what has brought meaning to my life, I kept coming back to those formative experiences at Butler—the professors who knew my name and challenged me to grow, my six months studying in Spain, and the cultural experiences that opened my eyes to the transformative power of the arts. I realized I wanted to help future students have access to these same kinds of experiences in the arts and language study, even if they choose career paths outside those fields, as I did. Documenting a planned gift felt like the right way to ensure that Butler could continue opening doors for students to explore their passions alongside their practical career preparation.
Why did you choose to direct your gift to support a student scholarship? Why did you choose to support a student studying the arts or a foreign language?
I chose a scholarship because access is everything. As a student, I worked multiple jobs—as a tour guide, research assistant, at Clowes, and through accounting internships. While all of these experiences were valuable, working at Clowes gave me something unexpected: free access to world-class performances that I might not have sought out otherwise. That access continued to develop my love for the arts, which I’ve continued in my adult life. My study abroad experience in Spain wouldn’t have been possible without Butler’s commitment to making international education accessible. These experiences changed my life.
Even though I’ve built my career in accounting, my appreciation for the arts and my Spanish language skills have enriched other aspects of my life. I believe strongly that students shouldn’t have to choose between financial stability and following their creative or linguistic passions. By supporting students in the arts and foreign languages, I hope to help them pursue these fields knowing that someone believes in the value of what they’re doing—and that a meaningful life can include both professional success and cultural engagement.
How did documenting your planned gift make you feel?
It felt purposeful and hopeful. I stayed in Indianapolis and started my career after graduation but then decided to move to the Washington, D.C. area, where I’ve been ever since. Not living near campus anymore has led me to look for other ways to engage with the University and this seemed like a great way to do that. My husband Joe (and mostly everyone that knows me) knows about and supports my love for Butler. There’s something profound about knowing that long after my time at Butler, students will continue to benefit from the small classes, dedicated faculty, study abroad opportunities, and cultural experiences that shaped me. It’s a way of saying “thank you” to the University while also investing in the kind of world I want to see—one where the arts and languages thrive, and where students have the freedom to pursue what inspires them.
Do you have any advice for someone considering a planned gift to Butler?
Think about what truly shaped you during your time at Butler—not just the degree you earned, but the experiences, opportunities, and moments that changed how you see the world. For me, it was the accessible faculty who invested in my success, those six months in Spain that opened my eyes to the world, and cultivating my interest for the arts through unexpected opportunities. Your gift doesn’t have to be in your major or career field; it should reflect what you value and want to see continue for future generations. Butler gave us more than an education—it gave us a foundation for a meaningful life. A planned gift is a way to ensure that foundation remains strong for students who come after us.
The Fairview Heritage Society honors alumni and friends who have made a commitment to the future of Butler University through their wills and other planned gifts. Learn more about planned giving.