INDIANAPOLIS, Ind.—Former Indiana Secretary of Commerce James A. Schellinger has joined Butler University as Ambassador of Global Relations in the Office of the President.
Butler President James Danko announced that Schellinger will work closely with him and the University’s newly formed Office of Strategic Engagement, which has been charged with expanding key, mutually-beneficial, external alliances to advance Butler’s most important strategic priorities while elevating its local, national, and global influence as a leader in higher education.
“Jim Schellinger is uniquely qualified to further enhance the reputation and relationships that have been central to the success of Butler University,” Danko said. “We take great pride in our top ranking in the Midwest and recognize that our rising national and global reputation will be critical to our future growth and success, including expanded opportunities for our students.”
“I was proud to have had former Secretary of Commerce Jim Schellinger at my side as we together relentlessly took Indiana to the world and brought the world back to Indiana,” Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb said. “As Secretary of Commerce, he connected our state and people with countless important national and international business community leaders. He built deep relationships around the world that resulted in record-breaking new jobs, wages, payroll, projects, and capital investments that have set Indiana up for future success. We’re fortunate Jim will be carrying out similar duties in this new exciting chapter in his life, and this time, students and our state will benefit from The Butler Way.”
Prior to serving as Secretary of Commerce, Schellinger was president of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, providing leadership for Indiana’s business growth and job creation efforts. Key initiatives during his tenure included the Indiana Regional Cities Initiative and the state’s $1 billion Innovation and Entrepreneurship Initiative. Jim previously served as Chairman/CEO of CSO Architects, an architectural firm founded in 1961. During his leadership tenure, CSO led landmark projects such as the Indianapolis International Airport, the JW Marriott, and the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts.
Jim studied at Butler University prior to receiving his Architectural degree at the University of Notre Dame in 1984. He has received numerous honors and awards throughout his career. He was recognized twice, in 2004 and 2011, with the Sagamore of the Wabash, the state’s highest civilian honor. He was also recognized as a Kentucky Colonel in 2009. He received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Archdiocese of Indianapolis in 2011 and was honored with the Hungarian Silver Cross of Merit in June 2018.
“I could not be more excited to join the team at Butler,” Schellinger said. “It will be an honor and privilege to further the global vision and mission of this magnificent university.”
Jim and his wife Laura have three adult sons: Nick, John, and Zack. Nick ’05, along with his wife, Sally ’10, are proud Butler alumni.
Media Contact:
Mark Apple
Director of Strategic Communications
mapple1@butler.edu
317-519-8592
About Butler University
Butler University is a nationally recognized comprehensive university encompassing six colleges: Arts, Business, Communication, Education, Liberal Arts & Sciences, and Pharmacy & Health Sciences. Approximately 4,500 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate students are enrolled at Butler, representing 46 states and 22 countries. More than 75 percent of Butler students will participate in some form of internship, and Butler students have had significant success after graduation, as demonstrated by the University’s 97 percent placement rate within one year of graduation. The University was recently listed as the No. 1 regional university in the Midwest, according to the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Rankings, in addition to being included in The Princeton Review’s annual “best colleges” guidebook.