Butler University recently received a $4 million gift from Trustee Jay Love ʼ76 and wife Christie (Kile) Love ʼ79 to fund the construction of a new University House and Presidential Residence, which will be named the Jay and Christie Kile Love University House. The residence will serve as both a home for future Butler presidents and a prominent, inviting venue for hosting fundraising and other community events. The gift will fully fund the construction, furnishing, and maintenance of the house without impacting the University’s budget.

“It is exciting to envision what this campus can be for future generations of Butler University students, faculty, and staff,” Jay Love said. “Not only do Christie and I want to imagine the future, we are investing in it! We know the value and prestige a presidential residence can bring to the University, building upon the fundraising success of the Butler Beyond campaign. Critical to future and ongoing success will be recruiting outstanding leaders to further advance the University’s impact and reputation, while attracting the necessary support and resources.”

“On behalf of Butler University, I am sincerely grateful to Jay and Christie Love for their extremely generous donation, which will allow us to pursue this important facility without the use of University resources,” Danko said. “The Loves’ long-time professional experience in fundraising strategies prompted them to recognize this project would provide a valuable University asset that will have a significant and positive long-term impact for Butler. I am grateful for visionary partners like the Loves who allow us to continue to dream big about Butler’s future.”

Jay Love earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Butler and went on to a career helping nonprofit organizations take advantage of digital technology solutions. He is the co-Founder and former CEO of Bloomerang, a community-focused nonprofit donor management software company. Christie (Kile) Love earned her Butler undergraduate degree in Elementary Education and has spent her career in education and nonprofit management both as a teacher and as the former Executive Director of the Lawrence Township School Foundation. The Loves have both held numerous volunteer leadership roles with Central Indiana nonprofit organizations, including extensive service to Butler University.

“Since our time here as students, Butler has meant so much to us as individuals and as a family,” Christie Kile Love said. “We are proud to be able to invest in Butler’s future through the gift of this house, which we hope will be a place for welcoming, socializing, and fundraising for the ultimate benefit of Butler and this community for many years to come.”

The University is still assessing options for the location of the Jay and Christie Kile Love University House. In choosing the location, planners will take into consideration the University’s current master-planning efforts, which will identify additional development opportunities to enhance campus and the surrounding community.