Universities are often measured by rankings, programs, or facilities. Those things matter, but over time, I have come to believe our true impact is found in something more enduring: the people we shape and the communities they influence.

I am reminded of that in my conversations with Butler students. Not long ago, a student shared how an idea that began as a class project had grown into something real, a venture now serving customers well beyond campus. What stayed with me was not only the ambition but the confidence that developed along the way. Somewhere between that first classroom conversation and the first customer, learning became ownership, and ownership became leadership.

That is the Butler experience at its best.

We have long believed that education should lead somewhere meaningful. It should stretch students and prepare them to contribute in ways that matter. Yes, we want them to succeed in their careers. Just as importantly, we want them to become thoughtful individuals who know how to lead, how to listen, and how to engage with a world that is changing quickly.

That feels especially important now. Artificial intelligence is reshaping how work gets done and how ideas are formed. It is a powerful tool, and our students must learn to use it well. At Butler, we are leaning into that opportunity.

At the same time, what defines a Butler education has never been information alone. It is relationships, mentoring, hands-on experiences, and the development of judgment and character. Those are the elements that will not be replaced. In many ways, they become even more important in a world where technology can do more of the technical work.

You will see that balance throughout this issue of Butler Magazine. It is present in the entrepreneurial journeys of students and alumni who are turning ideas into businesses that serve others. It is evident in the Near West Free Clinic, where students experience how knowledge and compassion come together in real ways. It also comes to life in the collaboration between the Jordan College of the Arts and the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, where theater students help future healthcare professionals develop the empathy and communication that define excellent care.

You will also meet alumni whose paths remind us that the Butler experience continues well beyond graduation. They are addressing food insecurity, building organizations, and contributing to their communities in ways that reflect the values they developed here.

Butler itself continues to evolve. In this issue, we introduce Dr. Michael Hole ’08, recently announced as our next Executive Vice President and Provost. I am excited about what his leadership will bring as we strengthen our academic programs and expand opportunities for students and faculty.

As I reflect on the stories in these pages, I come back to a simple idea. Butler’s strength has always been in how we bring people together to learn, to grow, and to lead. That is not something that can be automated. It must be experienced.

It is a privilege to see that happen every day.