This fall, Jacqueline Brasseale ’26, a current junior in the Lacy School of Business studying marketing and finance, sat down with President Danko to talk about current happenings at Butler, his top priorities for the University moving forward, and how the Butler community can help.
What motivated you to pursue a career in higher education, and what continues to inspire you in your role as President?
“I believe it starts because you like being a student. I started a business in Cleveland when I was 19 that I ran for 17 years, but even after I completed my undergrad degree I always went back and ended up taking courses. I just loved going to the campus, especially on weekends. That idea was planted in my head, and after I sold my business in Cleveland, I went to the University of Michigan for my MBA. While I was there it led me to think through ways that I would improve the business school, where I eventually got hired. I’ve been in University administration ever since.”
Now in your 14th year as President of Butler University, what is your proudest accomplishment thus far?
“The embracing of change and innovation is one of my proudest accomplishments during my time here at Butler. I enjoy pulling together a great group of individuals, whether they’re vice presidents, Deans, or others, to lead the types of changes that we need at Butler to be successful and to be on the leading edge of education. It’s amazing how the faculty and staff have embraced making things happen and thinking about things differently. We have a whole variety of educational programs that we did not have even just six or seven years ago.”
How do you envision the Gateway Project will benefit current and future students at Butler University?
“Gateway was launched on the heels of our last campaign back in 2022 as an inspirational vision that would change the future of Butler and the way we’re situated in the community. During my first ten years here, a lot of interior changes have happened, including a new business school, new sciences, new student housing, and changes in campus infrastructure. Gateway is intended to enhance that even further by bringing amenities to our campus, such as the Ross Hall Hotel. Ultimately, this is to elevate our strengths further, not only in academics but also in athletics and arts.”
The Founder's College seems like such an impactful project. How did that come about?
“This idea started in 2019, as we were looking at how we could better live out our founding mission to provide access to education for everyone, regardless of their background, including economic background. Within a mile or two of our campus were potential students who could not afford to come to a place like Butler University. In our research, we became familiar with the “Come to Believe” program: a two-year associate degree program that was in essence free thanks to grants, scholarships, financial aid, and so forth. We’ve learned that 60 percent of those students go on for a four-year degree and often get financial support for that as well. Founder’s College is based on that model and rooted in our founding mission, and we are eager to welcome our inaugural class of students next fall.”
The Founder's College seems like such an impactful project. How did that come about?
“The good news is that we’re awarding $95 million because we really want to have great students coming to Butler regardless of their background, financial or otherwise. The downside is that 95 percent of that comes out of our operating budget. We don’t have a big endowment, so we rely heavily on annual support. I encourage our alumni base and other friends of the University to consider making a gift to the Butler Fund for Student Scholarship. It’s Butler’s greatest need and a great opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of our students.”
To you, what makes Butler stand out from the rest of the higher education community?
“I’ve worked at great universities, both large and small, but I found the smaller independent institutions to be the most appealing. Now, in my 14th year at Butler, I love our small, intimate environment. I get to see and talk to students every night and really have the opportunity to get to know people on campus. However, we’re also on a campus where, on a weekend, you might be at a nationally televised Big East basketball game, or you could attend an event at Clowes with a nationally touring Broadway show. This makes Butler different. We’re one of the few universities with big-league arts and athletics mixed in with amazing academics in an intimate environment.”
What is your favorite memory in your time at Butler thus far?
“I’ll never forget the 2013 basketball game against Gonzaga, which was incredible. It was game day here at Butler, ESPN was broadcasting, and the energy level was through the roof. We had an amazing basketball game and were down one point with about 30 seconds left. Gonzaga had the ball, and they were inbounding when Roosevelt Jones intercepted it and made the shot. I’ve seen pictures of the stands, and you could see everybody standing and looking at the basket just before it dropped in. When that ball went in, the place just exploded. It was an amazing moment and something that really stood out for me during my time at Butler.”
With Grant Leiendecker beginning his first full academic year as Butler’s Athletic Director, what does the future look like for Butler Athletics, and what is your vision for the role of Athletics at Butler?
“Athletics has been a prominent part of the University for so long. Certainly, the 2010-2011 Men’s Basketball team’s success put us in the national spotlight, and that will always be an essential part of Butler’s heritage. Grant Leiendecker is the new generation. He was part of that team, and he has that spirit. He brings an energy and a drive for relationships that will help us move even more aggressively in the world of college athletics, which is changing every day. We need to compete effectively, especially against our Big East peers. Those are tough teams to play, but I really envision a very bright future for Butler Athletics under Grant’s leadership.”
How do you see philanthropic support for Butler University Athletics contributing to the overall success and growth of our student-athletes?
“Athletics has become a high-stakes game that is changing every day. We’re trying to compete with many universities for the best athletes. Support for athletics is key for us to succeed in the future and to hopefully have more opportunities like we did in 2010-2011. Giving to the Bulldog Club supports our student-athletes directly and is critical for our success moving forward. The cost to play and compete is only getting more intense.”
What is your favorite spot on Butler’s campus?
“I mentioned the library when I was at John Carroll. Last weekend, on Sunday, I brought my granddaughters over who are two and four years old and we ended up in the library. They had a blast when I took them into this classroom, where they began writing all over the whiteboard. The library is one of those special places on campus, and I suspect some of our students enjoy it as well.
Every night, Daisy and I walk on campus, and she pulls me into certain buildings. She loves Fairview. She loves her Irvington. I think what she likes is knowing where students are at, it is always cool to go into those lobbies and feel the energy and get to interact with our students. Resco is amazing now that we’ve undergone renovation. I guess my favorite part of campus is the place where there’s action and where we can interact with the community.”