Destiny Cherry ’25
Major: Strategic Communication
Minor: Organizational Communication & Leadership
Spring Hill, Tennessee

What led you to Butler?
When I was looking at volleyball recruitment in my sophomore year of high school, a few different schools in Indiana contacted me. My parents decided it would be best if we came up, went to the camps, and explored while we were there. 

Butler was my last trip, and I fell in love. I also got to talk to a couple of students around campus. I heard nothing but rave reviews about how much they loved it here. I was sold from then on, and I am so grateful I ended up here.

What is the best thing about being a member of the (men’s or women’s sports team)?
The best thing about being a sports team member is the community. I have friends on almost all athletic teams and could not be more grateful. The athletics support staff is also incredible. They are engaged in your experience at Butler. They mean it when they say you will find family here, and I am a testament to that.

What is your favorite (non-sport) student activity?
I am a member of Five Fountains, Butler’s student-run advertising agency. Our faculty advisor, Professor Amanda Stevenson-Holmes, convinced me to apply in my junior year. I wish I had applied sooner. It applies to my major, but the best part is the people. I had never met many motivated and talented individuals who shared one space and worked towards a common goal.

Who on campus has inspired you the most and why?
There are too many to narrow down to the “most,” but I will go with “most currently.” Dr. Eileen Taylor taught my Leadership and Communication class. She taught me there is so much power in finding the bright sides of negative experiences, and showing up as your “best self” will always be the best option. She was a shining light at a time when I needed her, and her class taught me so much about how to address the problems I had been facing.

What is your greatest achievement from your time at Butler?
This fall, I had the opportunity to be the student speaker at President Danko’s “State of the University” address and the chance to speak on a panel with Caitlin Clark, WNBA Indiana Fever guard, and Rebecca Graham Paul, a Butler trustee who just donated $12 million to women’s athletics at Butler and leadership initiatives for student-athletes. Both were incredible opportunities and two significant achievements for me.

What do you want to do upon graduation?
I applied for the Orr Fellowship last semester and was fortunate enough to make it through the application process and match with a company. So, after graduation, I will stay in Indy and begin work in marketing and operations with Kiwanis International, a global nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of children.

What words or advice would you give to an incoming Butler student-athlete?
To any incoming student-athlete, you are so much more than your sport. Some days will be mentally and physically challenging, but always remember that you will meet people here who will let you lean on them and remind you of your worth. Some days, you will feel lost or want to quit, but you are stronger and more capable than you know.

In your senior year, when you have to hang up the cleats, the court shoes, the bat, the stick, whatever it is, I hope you remember that you spent four years building yourself into a person you can be proud of, and not having your sport changes none of that.