INDIANAPOLIS – Winstan R. “Bud” Sellick ’47 and his wife, Jacqueline (Blomberg) ’44, had a longstanding love for Butler University, and that affection will continue in perpetuity, thanks to a gift of $9.4 million from their estate. The gift will be shared among Butler Athletics, the Lacy School of Business, and general University support.
In recognition of their gift, the Butler Bowl, home of Butler football and soccer, will be renamed the Bud and Jackie Sellick Bowl. The Champions Room in the Sellick Bowl will become the Bud and Jackie Sellick Room, and the Registrar’s Office will be named the Jacqueline Blomberg Sellick Registrar’s Suite. The unveiling of the Sellick Bowl will take place at the first home football game in September.
The Sellicks had asked longtime friends Dan Yates and Bob Wildman to assist in the transfer of this gift to Butler. Wildman noted that the Sellicks “were special people with a special place in their hearts for Butler.”
“During their long history with the school, they saw it grow and prosper and I know they were quite happy and proud to be a part of its success,” he said. “They would be extremely grateful to Butler for this recognition by the University of their generous gift.”
The Sellicks were married for 69 years. A Marine Corps veteran, Bud served on Okinawa and in Korea. His association with Butler University was long and deep. When Bud was born, his father was the Treasurer of Butler University in Irvington, as well as a Professor of Economics at the school. In 1939, when he came to Butler as a student, an aunt was Assistant Registrar and a second aunt was a Librarian.
Bud’s pursuit of a degree was interrupted by World War II. He returned to Butler following the war, earned his degree in economics, and married his college sweetheart, Jacqueline Blomberg. As a student, he was involved in the band, Kappa Kappa Psi band honorary, and Delta Tau Delta fraternity. In 1947, he began his successful career as an insurance agent in the Indianapolis area.
After fighting in Korea, he returned to Indianapolis, where he served as President and Owner of Bud Sellick Insurance Agency and the Blessing-Sellick Insurance Agency for several decades until his retirement. He was also involved in a successful real estate business in the Indianapolis area with his wife and brother-in-law.
Bud died March 30, 2015. He was 93.
Jackie was a lifelong resident of Indianapolis. She attended Shortridge High School, then went on to become a graduate of Butler University. During her Butler days, she was a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority, a member of the Debate Team, and a recipient of the Ovid Butler Award.
Her career included over 20 years on the Industrial Board. She also owned and operated commercial real estate for 40 years.
Jackie died October 20, 2012. She was 89.
Consistent donors to Butler for more than a third of a century, the Sellicks endowed three scholarships: The Winstan R. Sellick, Jacqueline Sellick, and Herman W. Blomberg Scholarship; the Sellick, Deming, and Schuler Scholarship; and the Winstan R. Sellick and Jacqueline B. Sellick Business Scholarship.
They also made gifts to the Butler Fund and several athletic funds, including the restoration of Hinkle Fieldhouse. In 2007, Bud and Jackie Sellick received the Ovid Butler Society Mortarboard Award. In 2014, Bud also was honored when he received the Butler Medal. He also was a donor and strong supporter of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity.
Butler President James M. Danko said the University deeply appreciates the gift and the Sellicks’ devotion to Butler. “The Sellicks had a tremendous concern for the well-being of future generations of Butler students,” he said. “This generous gift will ensure Bud and Jackie’s wonderful legacy—that current and future Bulldogs will have access to the same great education and campus experiences that they enjoyed.”
Media contact:
Marc Allan
mallan@butler.edu
317-940-9822