Butler University honored 1,308 graduates during Commencement ceremonies on Friday, May 5, and Saturday, May 6. There were 860 undergraduate and 448 graduate students who completed their degrees in spring 2023 or winter 2022 and were eligible to participate in the May 2023 Commencement exercises.

The official University Commencement Ceremony was held Friday, May 5, at 4:30 PM in Hinkle Fieldhouse. Graduates from across Butler’s six colleges were awarded their degrees by President James Danko and were collectively recognized by the Provost, Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, and invited guest speakers. Kathryn G. “Katie” Betley, long-time Butler University Trustee and Indianapolis community leader; Leonard J. “Len” Betley, lawyer and philanthropist (posthumous); Reverend Marvin Chandler, Civil Rights activist, Indianapolis Jazz musician, and lecturer in the Jordan College of the Arts; and Everett F. Greene, Sr., legendary Indianapolis Jazz musician and lecturer in the Jordan College of the Arts, received honorary degrees.

On Saturday, May 6, graduates were recognized during their College Celebration. This tradition began in 2021 during the pandemic, allowing more guests to safely attend Commencement at a time when social distancing was required at events in Marion County and throughout Indiana. The ceremonies proved to be popular with students, families, and faculty and have been continued the past two years. During the college ceremonies, graduates were individually recognized amongst their peers as their names are called to receive their diplomas and walk across the stages of Clowes Memorial Hall or the Howard L. Schrott Center for the Arts. The schedule of College Celebrations is:

• 9:00 AM—Lacy School of Business, Clowes Memorial Hall
• 10:00 AM—Jordan College of the Arts, Howard L. Schrott Center for the Arts
• 12:30 PM—College of Communication, Clowes Memorial Hall
• 1:30 PM—College of Education, Howard L. Schrott Center for the Arts
• 4:00 PM—College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Clowes Memorial Hall
• 7:00 PM—College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Clowes Memorial Hall

“Our Butler University graduates have demonstrated remarkable determination and grit as they pursued their academic goals,” President James Danko said during his commencement remarks. “Their ability to navigate a period of time in our society marked by a global pandemic and uncertainty with maturity, flexibility, and creativity is a testament to their character and a strong indicator of their potential for future success. They have used their unique talents to make our campus—and the world—a better place. On behalf of the faculty, staff, and administration at Butler University, we are so proud of our newest alumni.”