Butler University’s fall 2024 incoming class includes 42 recipients of the prestigious Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship, bringing the total number of Lilly Scholars enrolled at Butler to 119—more than any other college or university in the state. Lilly Scholars receive full-tuition scholarships, including required fees and a book stipend, to attend the accredited Indiana public or private four-year college or university of their choice. 

The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program is designed to help raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana, increase awareness of the beneficial roles Indiana community foundations can play in their communities, and encourage efforts of Lilly Endowment Community Scholars to engage with each other and with state leaders to improve quality of life in Indiana. 

“There are several excellent colleges and universities in Indiana that students can choose to attend, so it’s quite an honor that more Lilly Scholars—who represent the cream of the crop of the state’s graduating seniors—have chosen to attend Butler University than any other school,” Butler University President James Danko said. “I think their choice speaks to Butler’s academic reputation and the success achieved by our graduates. I also suspect that our Indianapolis location, which provides direct access to the state’s top employers for internships and jobs, likely attracted many of these bright young minds to Butler.” 

In this year’s cohort of Butler’s Lilly Scholars, the most popular majors are Accounting, Middle/Secondary Education, Biochemistry, Health Sciences, and Exploratory Studies. One-third are first generation college students and 24 percent are students of color. Their average high school GPA was 4.28. 

The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship program has existed since 1998. More than 140 scholarships are awarded annually to Indiana high school graduates to pursue undergraduate study in a baccalaureate program on a full-time basis. The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program is administered by the Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI) and includes significant participation by the community foundations serving each of Indiana’s 92 counties. Selection criteria, selection procedures, and application due dates vary by county. 

“Butler was the perfect choice for me because it is a small campus that provided a big school feel,” Maggie Maienbrook, an incoming Lilly Scholar who attended Rensselaer Central High School, said. “It is right outside the heart of Indianapolis and has a very impressive academic reputation. From the second I stepped onto campus, I felt right at home and appreciated how welcoming everyone was and how passionate everyone is about their work. I also chose to attend Butler because they have one of the most active Lilly Scholars Network chapters, which will provide me with opportunities to stay active and grow my professional network.” 

“Butler University has a beautiful campus that is easy to navigate. I love the idea of a small campus in a big city,” Katelyn Walker, an incoming Lilly Scholar and Gibson Southern High School graduate from Haubstadt, Indiana, said. “I am planning to go into the medical field and with Butler’s close proximity to many Indianapolis hospitals, I will be able to easily gain hands-on experience. In addition, Butler’s strong academic programs and research opportunities left me with no other choice, but to choose Butler.” 

Selection criteria, selection procedures ,and application dates for the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program vary by county. For details about the application process, contact the local community foundation in your home county. Additional questions can be directed to Katie Goodrich, ICI’s Director of Scholarships and Grants, at 317-684-4297.