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MAGAZINE SPRING 2016

Butler Magazine - Spring 2016

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Page 1: Butler Magazine - Spring 2016

M A G A Z I N ES P R I N G 2 0 1 6

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In 2013, Butler University marked the 50th anniversary of the opening of Clowes Memorial Hall. Senator Richard Lugar—who had attended the opening night with his family in 1963—graciously recalled that special milestone. He described the Clowes Hall opening as a cultural and educational turning point, not only for Butler University, but for the City of Indianapolis. For Senator Lugar, the glittering, star-studded opening of Clowes Hall has always represented the opening of our city’s door to the modern era. As he became Mayor and Senator in the following decades, that door opened wider and wider—expanding to include professional sports, the convention industry, and so many other civic successes. But that first push happened here on the Butler campus in 1963—and it happened through the arts.

Now, as then, Butler University embraces the arts as a cornerstone of its academic offerings and campus life. Across the disciplines of Art+Design, Arts Administration, Dance, Music, and Theatre, Butler students in the Jordan College of the Arts (JCA) are challenged to grow as artists, critical thinkers, performers, and leaders. With the support of exceptional faculty and staff members—along with new learning and performance venues including the Howard L. Schrott Center for the Arts—JCA students are thriving as never before. And Butler students across all fields of study have hundreds of opportunities each year to attend cultural events and arts performances right on their own campus.

Butler has also continued its strong tradition of serving as a community resource for the arts. In keeping with its mission, the University is proud to provide “intellectual, cultural, and artistic opportunities and leadership to Indianapolis and the surrounding areas.” Over 200,000 people attend arts performances at Butler each year. In the pages of this magazine, you will read about the staggering number of Hoosier schoolchildren who attend Butler’s Community Arts School, summer camps, and school matinees. Each April, Butler ArtsFest offers over 40 events that draw audiences of all ages from all over the region and beyond.

For the benefit of students, alumni, and the State of Indiana, Butler University is more committed than ever to treasuring the arts as a crown jewel—one that is essential to Butler’s academic character and quality; to the inspiration and growth of each person who enters the Butler community; and to the past, present, and future of the great City of Indianapolis.

I hope you enjoy learning more in this edition. Bethanie and I look forward to seeing you at ArtsFest this spring.

Sincerely,

James M. Danko [email protected]

A MESSAGE from

PRESIDENT JAMES M. DANKO

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PAGE 2 CAMPUS NEWS

PAGE 7 ATHLETICS

PAGE 14 FOCUS on FACULTY

PAGE 16 SPEAKING of STUDENTS

PAGE 27 ALUMNI and PARENT NEWS

PAGE 28 CLASS ACTS

Butler Magazine is published for alumni, parents, supporters, and friends of Butler University. Send story ideas and comments to Butler Magazine, 4600 Sunset Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46208; email [email protected].

Vice President for Marketing and Communications: Matt Mindrum Editor: Sheryl Rodgers ’83 ([email protected]) Editorial Team: Marc D. Allan, Nancy Lyzun, Rachel Stotts, Courtney Tuell ’99, Megan Ward MS ’13 Art Director: Phil Eichacker Art Design Team: Phil Eichacker, Alisha Luckenbill, Katie Orlowski University Photographer: Brent Smith Contributing Writers: Marc D. Allan, S. L. Berry, Cindy Conover Dashnaw, Jen Gunnels, Patricia Snyder Pickett ’82, Evie Schultz ’15, Rachel Stotts, Megan Ward MS ’13.

Class Acts: Office of Alumni and Parent Programs ([email protected])

PAGE 1O THE ARTS at BUTLER

PAGE 12 THE ART of CREATING BUTLER ARTSFEST

PAGE 18 STREAMLINES: THE IMPACT of WATER

PAGE 2O ALUMNI PROFILES

DEEPLY ROOTED—PATRICIA BRENNAN SEE ’74

FROM BRIGHT LIGHTS to FINANCIAL HEIGHTS—RENEE TABBEN ’94

ARTS ALUMNI in EUROPE, HOLLYWOOD, and DC

PAGE 26 DONOR PROFILE

EMBRACING a LOVE of MUSIC

FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

M A G A Z I N ES P R I N G 2 0 1 6

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BUTLER’S PART-TIME MBA PROGRAM RANKED BEST IN INDIANA

Butler University’s part-time MBA program is the best in Indiana and 25th in the country, according to Bloomberg Businessweek. Butler’s

program, which moved up 32 spots from last year’s rankings, is Indiana’s only part-time MBA

program in the Top 25. Bloomberg’s part-time MBA rankings are composed of a 50 percent Student Survey score as well as a 50 percent Alumni Survey score which takes into account alumni compensation changes over time, job satisfaction, the impact the program has had on their career, and if they would recommend the program to others. “Part-time MBA programs differ from the traditional two-year MBA because of their students, who often require flexibility and want to use the degree to advance within their company,” according to Bloomberg.

Butler’s program is unique in the way courses are taught. Most are experiential and incorporate global issues and live cases and projects with local companies. Students complete real projects for actual businesses, which build their skills and expand their network.

JCA, INDIANA ARTS COMMISSION FORGE PARTNERSHIP

Butler University’s Jordan College of the Arts has forged a partnership with the Indiana Arts Commission to become the IAC

regional granting office for Central Indiana. Butler’s role through 2017 will be to set up independent citizen advisory panels that will review grant applications. The citizen panels

adjudicate and score grant applications, and the state awards the grant funds. Last year, the state awarded about $400,000 in grants to Indianapolis-area arts groups.

Jordan College of the Arts has a long history in, and commitment to, the arts in the Central Indiana area. JCA faculty and staff will provide technical assistance and guidance on public funding to artists and arts organizations of all kinds. This partnership will continue to strengthen Butler’s academic programming and further reinforce the University’s role as a nexus for arts in Central Indiana.

DAY OF GIVING IS A DAY OF SUCCESS

Butler University celebrated its inaugural Day of Giving on February 11. Because of over 700 generous donors—exceeding the Day of Giving goal of 600 gifts—donations totaled more than $75,000 for student scholarships and the Butler Fund and secured an additional $44,000 in challenge funding. Current and future Bulldogs will benefit from this support. Because of you, we are BU!

CAMPUS NEWS

PEOPLE, PLACES, and EVENTS

CAMPUS NEWS2

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BUTLER WELCOMED 1,O4OFIRST-YEAR STUDENTS

Butler University welcomed 1,040 first-year students on move-in day this past fall. Butler’s class of 2019

continues the University’s track record of attracting high-quality, academically prepared students.

The Class of 2019 comes from 37 states, DC, and 8 countries.

Forty-five percent are from Indiana, and 55 percent are from out of state.

This year’s incoming class is also the most ethnically diverse, with

15.7 percent multicultural students and 38 international students.

42 VALEDICTORIANS

16 SALUTATORIANS

3.78 AVERAGE GPA

19 LILLY SCHOLARS

6 NATIONAL MERIT SEMI-FINALISTS/FINALISTS

1 NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT FINALIST

SPRING 2016 3

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FROM BU to NYCWhen you take a group of Butler business students to New York to visit and learn more about the financial industry and potential careers, good things are bound to happen. Eight students took the October 15-16 trip, which was made possible by funding from several donors and logistical support from Finance Professor Steve Dolvin. Over two days, Finance Professor Ryan Fuhrmann and College of Business Director of Career Development Kim Goad gave the students a whirlwind look at some of the opportunities available to them as interns and after graduation. READ MORE ONLINE at butler.edu/magazine.

HINKLE FIELDHOUSE RENOVATION TAKES TOP HONORS at INDY CHAMBER AWARDSButler University’s renovation of Hinkle Fieldhouse received the Monumental Award —the highest honor—from the Indy Chamber at their annual fall gala. The premier awards ceremony, organized with assistance from the Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS), honored the most significant achievements by individuals and businesses that contribute to excellence in architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, construction, real estate development, neighborhood revitalization, engineering, innovative reuse, and public art throughout the Indianapolis region.

BENING JOINS BUTLER BOARD of TRUSTEESP. Scott Bening, President and CEO of Merrillville, Indiana based MonoSol LLC, a manufacturer of water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol films that are used in everything from laundry detergent pods to prosthetic limbs, is the newest member of the Butler University Board of Trustees. Bening is the co-inventor of at least seven patents and has led MonoSol in obtaining at least 30 others.

Bening is a 1981 graduate of St. Lawrence University and a 1994 graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago. In 2010, he was inducted as a Fellow of The Society of

Innovators of Northwest Indiana and was honored by the 111th Congress of the United States by Congressman Peter Visclosky.

BUTLER WELCOMES NEW VICE PRESIDENTJames Gallaher Jr. joined Butler in 2015 in the newly modified position of Vice President for HR, Diversity, and Wellness. Gallaher came to Butler from the University of Illinois, where he was Executive Director of the Executive Leadership Academy. He also has worked for General Motors and has served as a non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Air Force and the New Jersey National Guard. He earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Workforce Education and Development, and he holds a Master of Education in Human Resource Development, a Master of Business Administration, and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Human Resource Development.

SCOTT BENING JAMES GALLAHER JR. DANNY KIBBLE SEAN DUNLAVY MARIETTA STALCUP

CAMPUS NEWS

CAMPUS NEWS4

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BUTLER HIRES TWO NEW DIRECTORS in ADVANCEMENTDanny Kibble joined Butler as the Executive Director of Alumni Relations and Engagement. He had spent the last 10 years as the Director of Alumni Programs (recently named Co-Interim Executive Director) at IUPUI, directing the alumni engagement activities and communication for the IU Schools of Nursing and the Robert H. McKinney School of Law.

Under his leadership, alumni engagement programs and volunteer activities became more strategically aligned with the priorities of each school. Multiple new programs under his direction were named best practices in alumni relations from CASE District

Five (Council for the Advancement of Secondary Education) and the Indiana University Alumni Association.

Sean Dunlavy was named Executive Director of Major Gifts. He has been Director of Fundraising and Institutional Advancement for the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy since May 2012. There, he was responsible for securing support from a diversified donor portfolio of foundations, corporations, and individuals, and successfully completing a $100 million endowment campaign.

Prior to that, he was Vice President for Development with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, where he managed a staff of 14 professionals and more than 500 volunteers, and raised more than $6 million annually.

COB NAMES NEW MBA DIRECTOR, ASSOCIATE DEANButler University named Marietta Stalcup as the new Director of the MBA program and promoted Craig Caldwell to Associate Dean of Graduate Programs.

Stalcup came to Butler from the professional-development company ievolve llc, where she was President/CEO. Prior to that, she spent 21 years with Eli Lilly and Company, where she was Manager, Oncology Medical Science Liaison.

In her new role at Butler, she manages the MBA program and supports the development of new graduate business program offerings.

Caldwell has taught at Butler since 2007 and is now Associate Professor of Management in the College of Business. He teaches MBA and undergraduate courses in Strategy, Leadership, Organizational Change, and Teams. Caldwell has won seven teaching awards, three advising awards, and was the invited faculty speaker for the 2015 Butler University Commencement.

His consulting activities focus on strategy development and organizational change. He has worked with client firms in logistics, manufacturing, food service, life-sciences, and architecture. In addition to strategy development, he works on leadership, organizational change processes, and team building, and has consulting experience with Ernst & Young.

BIRS DIRECTOR TAURA EDWARDS NAMED an EMERGING LEADERTaura Edwards, Butler’s new Director of the Institute for Research and Scholarship (BIRS), was recognized by 100 Black Men of Indianapolis as one of nine winners of its 2015 Emerging Leader Awards. The award goes to young professionals ages 25–40 who have demonstrated leadership, initiative, and dedication in improving their community through community service, civic engagement, and mentoring.

Before joining Butler, Edwards served as the Director of Community Programs at Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority for six years. She oversaw the administration and

CRAIG CALDWELL TAURA EDWARDS

SPRING 2016 5

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CAMPUS NEWS

KRISTIN CHENOWETH and SINGERS

STEVIE WONDER and SINGERS

budget management of five federally funded and four state-funded programs that totaled nearly $100 million in federal and state funds, as well as $2.5 million in state tax credits. The program provided anti-poverty services including utility assistance, energy efficiency upgrades, and more statewide.

In her role at Butler, Edwards supports faculty research and scholarship, curricular and professional development, programmatic projects, and creative works, through internal grants and assistance with external funding.

BUTLER STUDENTS PERFORM with RENOWNED ARTISTS When Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth needed choral singers this past November for her performance with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, she did what a number of superstars have done lately—she turned to Butler University.

The result: 10 Butler students sang with Chenoweth on songs, Upon This Rock and I Was Here, at Indianapolis’ Hilbert Circle Theatre.

The two songs Butler students accompanied Chenoweth on came at the end of the performance. In between, Chenoweth interviewed each student—asking for their name, year, and major.

Also in November 2015, four Butler

students sang background with Stevie Wonder and his group at his Bankers Life Fieldhouse concert.

Wonder’s people contacted Valerie Davidson, Butler’s Director of Diversity Programs, on the Thursday before the concert, inquiring about

available student singers. Two days later, the students were at Bankers Life.

Before going onstage, Wonder, his band, and all the singers joined in a circle and prayed together. Then Wonder and the band went on, and the singers took their place near the stage to await the cue for their first song, Pastime Paradise.

Over the past couple of years, Butler students have performed with Madonna, the Rolling Stones, and, with Chenoweth and Wonder.

BUTLER ARTS CENTER WELCOMES TY SUTTON

In October 2015, Ty Sutton joined Butler University as the inaugural Executive Director of the Butler Arts Center venues Clowes

Memorial Hall, Schrott Center for the Arts, Eidson-Duckwall Recital Hall, and the Black Box Theatre in Lilly Hall. With a nearly two-decade-long career in event and venue management which has taken

him from the Olympics in Salt Lake City to most recently the Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center in Midland, Texas, Sutton brings a deep commitment to the arts and a long history of dedication to customer experience.

“The Butler Arts Center is uniquely positioned to build on the legacy of Clowes Memorial Hall and expand its role as the premier performing arts center in Central Indiana,” Sutton said. “I want us to create attention for our venues and programs, and provide experiences for our patrons that they’ll remember for the next 20 years.”

In order to create those memorable experiences, Sutton is committed to developing a calendar of programming that will delight current patrons while also reaching new audiences. From classical ballet to classic rock, Sutton hopes to provide a rich and varied season filled with performances for the entire community.

CAMPUS NEWS6

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BUILT for BULLDOGSATHLETICS

ANDREW SMITH ’13

CAREER STATS648 REBOUNDS (12th place all-time)

1,147 POINTS (25th place all-time)

1 of ONLY 3 PLAYERS in BUTLER HISTORY with 1,000 CAREER POINTS and 100 CAREER WINS

2012–2013 SEASON ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICA TEAM

1990–2016

“Andrew packed more living into his 25 years

than most of us will enjoy in a full 75 years. He lived

his faith, relished his family, selflessly served

his wife, and pursued his passion of basketball at the

highest levels.”

–The Smith Family

CAREER GAMES

134VICTORIES

110POSTSEASON TOURNAMENT APPEARANCES43NCAA

TOURNAMENT BIDS

NCAA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPGAME APPEARANCES

BACK BACKTO

SPRING 2016 7

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ATHLETICS

WOMEN’S SOCCER TEAM WINS BIG EAST TOURNAMENT

Butler captured the 2015 BIG EAST Championship with a 1-0 victory over Providence. Butler’s 16 wins set a new program record. The BIG EAST title is Butler’s first in any team championship since joining the league prior to the 2013–2014 academic year.

BIG EAST Championship Most Outstanding Defensive Player: Randi DeLong, Senior, Midfielder

BIG EAST All-Tournament Team–Butler Members Serina Kashimoto, Junior, Midfielder Sophia Maccagnone, Senior, Midflielder Randi DeLong, Senior, Mifielder

For profiles on current butler student-athletes, visit butlersports.com.

ATHLETICS8

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THIS IS A GROUP THAT IS PURSUING MORE.”

Q: In what ways did you see this team grow throughout the season? 

A: With 11 freshmen on the roster, we knew this season would have it’s challenges purely because of our youth. But we were also keenly aware of the potential of this year’s team given the talent, the work that was put in during the off season, and the senior leadership of the squad.

Q: What were your expectations going into the conference tournament?

A: I can’t say I expected to win the title, but at that point of the season we were playing our best soccer. Additionally, we were mentally and physically prepared to win a championship. I can honestly say that we put ourselves in the best position possible to make a run at the championship.  

Q: What qualities made this team so successful?

A: We have a large roster (over 30 players). Part of the key to our success this season was having every member of the team put the TEAM above themselves.  A mantra that has been in the program for over a decade (and is our ‘touch’ board in our locker room) is ‘TEAM over me.’ The players and coaches accepted and embraced the roles that would best serve the team.

Q: What are you looking forward to for next season?

A: The team is still hungry. We all enjoyed the successes this season (school record for wins, first NCAA® Tournament, BIG EAST Championship), but this is a group that is pursuing more.  

Q & A with BUTLER WOMEN'S SOCCER CO-HEAD COACHTARI ST. JOHN

By Rachel Stotts

SPRING 2016 9

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FEATURE

THE ARTS ARE MORE THAN AN ESSENTIAL PART OF BUTLER UNIVERSITY’S ACADEMIC MISSION. They exemplify Butler’s emphasis on experiential education, show our commitment to diversity, and bring our entire community together. In fact, as a magnet for Indianapolis-area residents, they attract more people to the campus annually than any other activity.

Butler’s central role in the cultural vitality of Indianapolis is the basis of the Arts at Butler, a new strategy for positioning the University as the arts and culture hub of Central Indiana. Its foundation is the collective strength of Butler’s interdisciplinary academics, performing arts events and venues, and community-centered programs.

“The Arts at Butler is what we are,” said Ron Caltabiano, Dean of the Jordan College of the Arts (JCA). “We teach each art form in the context of other art forms.” Pointing to the University’s nationally acclaimed dance program as an example, he said its students explore music, theatre, and visual arts, as well as arts administration. It’s an approach designed to deepen their understanding of—and appreciation for—creative and practical concerns outside of their discipline.

by S.L. Berry

S.L. Berry is an Indianapolis-based freelance writer.FEATURE10

Page 13: Butler Magazine - Spring 2016

To that end, the Arts at Butler offers a unified approach to promoting the array of art experiences available on campus. “We do more and more collaborative work,” said Susan Zurbuchen, Chair of JCA’s Arts Administration program. “But audiences still tend to identify as those who love dance, those who love theatre, those who love music, and so forth. We’re trying to help people understand they can experiment a little bit with what they attend.”

Such campus events as the annual Butler ArtsFest provide an opportunity to do precisely that. Every April, ArtsFest brings renowned performing and visual artists from throughout the world to campus to take part in a diverse range of events alongside students and faculty members. It’s a chance for artists and audiences alike to expand their horizons.

Building relationships with government agencies and corporations enables Butler to bring international artists to Central Indiana. The Arts at Butler will help focus attention

on the diversity of those artists, with the goal of attracting equally diverse audiences.

Diversity is also the basis of the University’s community outreach programs, which have long been an important part of its relationship with its neighbors as an anchor institution in Midtown and Greater Indianapolis. The Arts at Butler enables the University to highlight such success stories as the Butler Community Arts School (BCAS), which provides instruction to 2,000 students ages 5 to adult throughout the academic year. Summer camps give another 10,000 underprivileged children the chance to explore the arts.

In addition to community outreach through the BCAS program, Clowes Memorial Hall marks its 25th season of arts education programming for students, teachers, and parents statewide through their “Experience Learning Through the Arts” energizing, educational, and inspirational offerings. Throughout the program’s history, Butler’s campus and Clowes have welcomed and hosted over 1,000,000 patrons—many experiencing their first live theatre performance in support of educational curriculum and academic standards. A life-changing event for many cultivating informed and educated arts consumers of the future.

“We want the Central Indiana community to see Butler not just as a place for a great education and the home of a great basketball team,” said Zurbuchen, “but as a place that positively impacts quality of life in the neighborhood, city, and region.”

Contributing to that vision is the variety of professional venues on campus. From the 110-seat Black Box theatre and 140-seat Eidson-Duckwell Recital Hall to the 450-seat Howard L. Schrott Center for the Arts and 2,200-seat Clowes Memorial Hall, the venues comprising the newly created Butler Arts Center offer settings ranging from intimate to grand. They also offer opportunities to experience everything from student recitals to Broadway tours.

Additional opportunities stem from the collaborative relationships the University enjoys with professional arts organizations, including the American Pianists Association, Dance Kaleidoscope, Indianapolis Children’s Choir,

Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, Indianapolis Symphonic Choir, and Indianapolis Opera—all of which perform at Butler’s venues, with most maintaining administrative offices on campus.

“I don’t think there’s another university that has as many professional arts organizations on its campus,” said Caltabiano. Such proximity provides students with opportunities to learn from arts professionals, as well as to attend performances and events held by these organizations on and off campus.

Overall, the Arts at Butler strategy is based on the synergy between students, venues, performers, and the community. Its vision has Butler as the fulcrum—the supportive and sustaining center of arts and culture in Central Indiana.

“There’s a great energy on and off campus about what the Arts at Butler can mean for our students and for Indianapolis,” said Caltabiano. “By bringing together all of our considerable assets, we have the opportunity to create a world-class center for arts and culture thought, programming, and innovation right here at Butler University.”

-Ron Caltabiano

SPRING 2016 11

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FEATURE

Those who perceive Butler ArtsFest as a showcase of the Jordan College of the Arts (JCA) are clearly not in tune with the vision of Ronald Caltabiano, JCA Dean.

Launched in 2013, ArtsFest has evolved into an annual event that presents renowned performing

and visual artists from around the globe alongside students and faculty from JCA.

It all began when Caltabiano, a New York native, landed on Butler’s campus in 2011 as its newly appointed Dean of JCA. Along with JCA faculty and staff, he quickly began to formulate plans for an event that would not only feature the many facets of the College, but one that would be rooted in collaboration and create a cross pollination of artistic talent spilling well beyond the Butler campus.

That vision ultimately became the first Butler ArtsFest—themed “Revolution!”—that premiered in April 2013 with 40 performances and events over an 11-day period. That premiere provided a festive and impressive backdrop for the opening of the Howard L. Schrott Center for the Arts.

“It was evident from that first year that there was much more to it than celebrating the launch of the new building,” said Caltabiano. “For our students, Butler ArtsFest is a way for them to progress. It enables them to collaborate across the arts. We know that—with the most rare of exceptions—that will serve them well in their careers after Butler.” That concept is well illustrated among the students of JCA.

Caltabiano points to a piece of art on his office wall. “I asked the student who painted that piece what she was doing during the summer,” he recounted. “She said, ‘Well, my real major is theatre, but I’m going to spend the summer playing violin in a rock band.’ That’s really an example of what the future holds for these young artists—that sort of multifaceted work across many platforms.”

It’s a stark contrast to the perceived classic tradition of arts education. From an academic standpoint, Professor

By Patricia Snyder Pickett ’82

Patricia Snyder Pickett ’82, APR, owns Pickett&Associates, a strategic communications and marketing firm based in Central Indiana.

FEATURE12

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Thursday, April 7, 7:00 PM Lawrence Brownlee with the Butler Symphony Orchestra

Friday, April 8, 7:30 PM Kurt Elling and Butler Jazz with Pharez Whitted

Friday, April 8–Sunday, April 10 Butler Opera Theatre: The Pirates of Penzance

Friday, April 8–Sunday, April 10 From Chicago: Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind

Saturday, April 9, 8:00 PM Clowes Presents: Cameron Carpenter and the World Organ

Tuesday, April 12, 7:00 PM Eroica Trio: Quartet for the End of Time

Thursday, April 14, 7:00 PM Los Angeles Percussion Quartet with Jon Crabiel

Thursday, April 14-Sunday, April 17 Butler Theatre: Portal 1812

Friday, April 15-Sunday, April 17 Butler Ballet: Swan Lake

Sunday, April 17, 7:00 PM Deadline for Choral Peacemaking

For a full listing of events, visit butlerartsfest.com.

Highlights include:

of Music at Butler and Orchestral Conductor Richard Auldon Clark believes cross-disciplinary collaboration at the college level is imperative to both ArtsFest and the future of the arts.

“It’s great to embrace our history and the past, but not at the expense of the future,” Clark said. “Providing this breadth of work through ArtsFest, and the relationship the experience creates for all those involved, translates into one of the most unique and valuable programs a liberal arts college can offer.”

It’s also a valuable driver of support, both on and off the Butler campus, according to Caltabiano.

“Initially, we had a few skeptics … but they gave me a ‘bye’ the first year. By the second year, they began to see how it helped our students, our reputation, and our bottom line. Now people at the University and in the arts community are embracing it year-after-year.”

By embodying the essence of Butler’s arts program, ArtsFest provides an ideal opportunity for potential students and donors alike to engage with the University. Perhaps no one understands this better than Howard Schrott ’76, whose generous gift helped move Butler’s new, state-of-the-art performing and visual arts venue from the drawing board to fruition.

“As we chatted with Butler, we landed on this idea that arts students truly needed a ‘lab space’—much like the business or science students—in which to practice their craft,” according to Schrott, who said he was initially drawn to the arts from his high school years spent playing the saxophone. “Butler ArtsFest is a wonderful way of bringing that ‘lab experience’ to the stage.”

“We are right on track with my vision,” said Caltabiano, “It began with a 10-year plan to grow the festival from a budget of less than $100,000 to $1 million. While we initially hosted all performances on Butler’s campus, as we grow, we want to include off-campus performances as a means to further enhance our students’ experiences and position Butler as a leader in the Central Indiana arts scene.”

Now in its fourth year, Butler ArtsFest 2016 will take place April 7–17 with more than 40 performances and events, including dance, music, theatre, visual arts, and family programs. From the measured beats of the Los Angeles Percussion Quartet to the ancient sounds of a chanting Buddhist nun, from newly commissioned dance and theatre productions to a work composed in a Nazi POW camp, this year’s theme “Time and Timeless”—drawn from Indiana’s bicentennial celebration—explores the many ways we think about, measure, and use time.

SPRING 2016 13

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FOCUS on FACULTY

By Cindy Conover Dashnaw

Common Core State Standards outline what to teach students so they can graduate. What the standards don’t address is how to do that.

In this void, College of Education (COE) Professor Arthur Hochman saw an opportunity for Butler to influence the way teachers teach and students learn for decades to come.

ART MEETS EDUCATIONWe know today that the arts improve educational performance. But it wasn’t until 2002 that a first-of-its-kind research study showed that students exposed to arts education scored higher on standardized tests, developed better social skills, and had more motivation than their counterparts.

Hundreds of studies since have reached the same conclusion: Integrating the arts with other subjects improves the performance of K-12 students.

Why, then, haven’t schools changed?

“In 2002, teachers weren’t being taught to teach this way,” Hochman said. “And they still aren’t, for the most part—frankly, because standardized tests don’t emphasize it.”

Teachers who might want to add an arts component to lesson plans are on their own.

“They have only their own experience to draw from. And think about that: all of us—teachers—included, grew up doing sums on the board, not moving in front of the class,” Hochman said. “So how can we expect them to naturally integrate an art form into the way they teach?”

Hochman’s solution began with his creation of the Arts Integration (AI) course.

ART FOR ALLHochman recruited Tim Hubbard, Arts Integration Specialist, to help teach the required course in 2004. AI ensures that future teachers get a base of knowledge about successfully marrying the arts with other subjects.

It’s our responsibility as an educational institution, Hochman said.

“We always hear that the arts are for everyone, but they’re not. When families cannot afford to take their children to a performance or exhibit, school is their only chance,” said Hochman. “We want to make sure teachers know how to give students what they need.”

The arts can be integrated into any subject—math, for example. Twenty students solving the same equation may come up with the same answer. But when they can use their bodies to express their thought processes, Hochman said, individuality, retention, and attitudes soar.

“The arts are inherently personal. They demand our own interpretation. So when I, as a student, connect math with the physical movement of my body, the math becomes a personal expression of me. After all, what am I more connected to than me?” he said.

EFFECTIVE ARTS INTEGRATIONThe approach intrigued Superintendent of Kokomo-Center Consolidated School Corporation Jeff Hauswald. He asked Hochman and Hubbard for help in developing an arts-integrated elementary school. Thanks to exceptional community support, the Wallace School of Integrated Arts opened in 2012 with a waiting list. Eleven of its 14 teachers are Butler graduates.

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RESEARCH generating NEW KNOWLEDGE

One of those is Veronica Orech ’14, who wrote in an email that Butler transformed her ideas on how to be a teacher. She also saw the approach at the Indianapolis Public Schools/Butler University Lab School 60, a COE partner.

“No matter the subject, arts integration is my favorite way to teach. The overall experience is more rewarding for everyone involved because everyone is more motivated to take ownership of their learning experience—myself included,” she wrote.

For more information, visit the Wallace School of Integrated Arts at kokomoschools.com/domain/95.

THE ARTS ARE

INHERENTLY

PERSONAL.

THEY DEMAND

OUR OWN

INTERPRETATION.”

SPRING 2016 15

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While most high-school juniors were getting their driver’s licenses, Karnjanakorn “Gift” Sapianchai was saying goodbye to everyone and everything she knew.

She was moving 8,100 miles from home to dance ballet.

“Home” is Bangkok, Thailand, on Southeast Asia’s Indochina peninsula. While younger Thai children can learn ballet at studios, dance offerings in general are severely limited in her country, Sapianchai said.

“I think art hasn’t developed in the same way there that it has here or in Europe. Sports are more developed [in Thailand]. My sister is a swimmer for the national team, and she plans to try out for the Olympics in a few years.

“I started ballet because my parents thought it would improve my posture,” she said. “I also did piano, art lessons, swimming, all the other sports. Eventually, they all went away except for ballet.”

Sapianchai’s ballet instructors followed the RAD (Royal Academy of Dance) syllabus, an internationally recognized portfolio of exams and assessments that outline a progressive structure for learning and achievement. But it goes only so far in a culture that doesn’t value ballet, she said. Bangkok City Ballet is the country’s only professional ballet company.

Fortunately, a teacher in Sapianchai’s studio danced professionally and recognized her potential. He recommended that she audition for the Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington, DC.

“I sent in a video, and they accepted me,” Sapianchai said. “We had academics in the morning, then four hours of ballet in the afternoon and sometimes rehearsals.”

The experience strengthened her love of ballet. She chose to attend Butler because she knew it had one of the top dance programs in the country and offered a wide range of dance styles.

“Even if you’re a dance major, you’re not restricted to just dancing. You can take Arts Administration, Arts Pedagogy, or the History of Dance. The Dance professors really know what they’re doing, and students are very connected to them. They offer you very personal advice,” she said.

“And they encourage you to do a second major or a minor that’s completely separate from Dance, so that when you graduate, you don’t feel like your only option is to be a professional dancer. You will have other skills.”

Sapianchai appreciates the “strong sense of community in Ballet, the College, the entire campus” she has found at Butler. She also is glad for the hard work.

“In the RAD system, it is the same class every single day, just repeated. Here, at Butler and at Kirov, every class is different. They make your brain work in different ways because you have to apply different combinations to music you may never have heard before.

“I grew up with a lot of classical ballet. I wasn’t aware of other types of ballet like modern or Balanchine. Now that I’m here, I’m doing a wide repertoire and learning there’s a lot more to ballet,” she said.

Sapianchai plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in Dance Performance, then audition for a dance company here in Indianapolis.

“Ballet allows me to express myself. I’m not a very vocal person, so dancing allows me to express what’s inside of me,” she said.

SPEAKING of STUDENTS

By Cindy Conover Dashnaw

DANCING ALLOWS ME TO EXPRESS WHAT'S INSIDE OF ME.”

DANCING ALLOWS ME TO EXPRESS WHAT'S INSIDE OF ME.”

SPEAKING OF STUDENTS16

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By Megan Ward MS ’13

Guns N’ Roses. Senses Fail. Thomas Rhett. Florida Georgia Line. All are musical influences of KaraKara, a band out of Louisville, Kentucky, who has opened for The Ataris, Asher Roth, and Walk the Moon among others. KaraKara also is the latest to sign with Butler’s Indyblue Entertainment. Chris Allen ’89, who has scouted many great bands and is a Vice President of A&R for Global Music Publishing, connected KaraKara with Cutler Armstrong, Creative Media and Entertainment (CME) Instructor at Butler.

The whirlwind process of making an album hasn’t been without its challenges for KaraKara. The biggest being writing every song “long distance without a single band member being in the same city. We had only one weekend of rehearsals with everyone in the same room before we recorded,” said member Sam Varga.

And the biggest surprise? “The talent and insights of the [Butler] students involved with the project. Not only is the studio amazing, everyone behind the board was awesome. We never felt like we were missing out on anything [by working] with the students and Indyblue,” added Varga.

In fact, it was invaluable to KaraKara to get the feedback of their peers—and target audience—while recording. During the intense three-and-a-half days of recording, Butler students pushed KaraKara to experiment with different sounds—“a cool experience” according to the band.

Each year Butler students produce a full album—everything from finding talent and recording to mixing and mastering the final product—as part of their capstone course in the Recording Industry Studies program. Past artists include locals Jenna Epkey and Jai Baker Band.

“I believe it’s better to have hands-on experience versus learning from a PowerPoint,” said Armstrong.

He isn’t alone. Two grants—one from Butler’s Innovation Fund (earned by CME Department Chair Ken Creech), and one from the Music and Entertainment Industry Educators Association—were awarded to create Indyblue Entertainment.

Throughout the recording process, students work with Armstrong and Technical Services Coordinator Mark

Harris—both vital to the recording process, listening and providing valuable feedback to the students. Visiting Professor Richard Ash also was instrumental in the recording process, even demonstrated various mixing techniques. Ash is a multiple gold- and platinum-record earning mixer/producer and former Vice President of Guitar Center’s professional division.

At Indyblue, students also get to collaborate with other industry pros like mastering engineer Andy VanDette and Indianapolis-based lawyer Robert Meitus. Names not familiar? VanDette has worked with Whitney Houston and the Beastie Boys (to name a couple) and Meitus specializes in entertainment contracts and intellectual property.

KaraKara has hopes of working with industry heavyweights as well. “Dreaming big” Varga said he hopes Scott Borchetta or Shane McAnally take a listen to the band’s album.

As for the album release, it’s slated for early 2016. While there aren’t any concrete plans, Varga promised, “There will be a party. There is always a party.”

Read more online at butler.edu/magazine.

BIG BREAKABOUT INDYBLUE ENTERTAINMENT

Since its launch in 2013, Indyblue has released six

albums. Along with a full-length album, each year students produce and market

other recordings, including a music

sampler of local artists and various audio productions for radio and internet. Any profits go toward funding the next year’s project. CCOM has two, industry-standard professional recording studios on Butler’s campus.

Indyblue Student TeamRecording and Mixing Engineer/Producer: Ryan HallquistAssistant Engineers/Producers: Marco Rosas, Phillip Tock, Jesse May, Jordan Fuchs, Matt Brooks, Dan Fuson, Charell Luckey, Javier PerezAssistant Mix Engineers: Marco Rosas, Jesse May, Phillip TockAlbum Artwork and Photography: Cate PickensLiner Notes and Credit Coordination: Matt BrooksSocial Media Coordination: Grey Gordon

KaraKara, left to right: Sam Varga, Darren Bruner, Jacob Hollenbach, Nick Conroy karakaraband karakaraband

SPRING 2016 17

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Walk in Holcomb Gardens these days and you’ll see a series of red lines, mirrors, backwards words, and a pedestal in the center where visitors can stand. There are poems written on the mirrors, as well as facts about the Indianapolis water system. And there are even jokes: What is a tree that looks different on both sides? Asymmetry.

They’re all part of StreamLines, an interactive project that merges art and science to advance the Indianapolis community’s understanding and appreciation of its waterways.

StreamLines—in place for the next two years—was unveiled in September 2015. It’s the result of a $2.9 million National Science Foundation grant awarded to the Center for Urban Ecology at Butler University.

The project features a collection of dance performances (choreographed by Butler Dance Professor Cynthia Pratt), musical recordings, poetry, and visual art tailored for sites along the six Indianapolis waterways—White River, Fall Creek, Central Canal, Little Eagle Creek, Pleasant Run, and Pogue’s Run. The art created for each site invites the community to learn, explore, and experience the science of local water systems.

Also incorporated into the project is an interactive website (streamlines.org), smartphone app, and related programming to increase access, enhance interpretation, and provide expanded opportunities for learning.

Spokesperson Ryan Puckett said the objective is to inform Indianapolis about its waterways, to understand the impact water has on us, and to recognize the impact we have on water.

“We’re not trying to get somebody a PhD in the science of

water,” he said. “We’re trying to go for things like getting people to understand that we all live in a watershed. In Indianapolis, we live in the White River Watershed. When a drop of water hits the ground here, it eventually flows into the White River, which ends up in the Mississippi River, which ends up in the Gulf of Mexico, which ends up in the ocean. So that connectivity to all those different waterways shows we can have some impact on the ocean.”

 

stream

the impact of water

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

By Marc D. Allan

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT18

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linesstream

SPRING 2016 19

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ALUMNI PROFILES

“IT’S ABOUT TIME.”That’s how Patricia Brennan See ’74 reacted when she heard that Butler’s vision for its Arts Center is to become Central Indiana’s arts and culture destination.

“Butler has had a stellar—and I mean stellar—arts program for decades, and it’s been under wraps. Now, we’re coming into our own,” said this alum and member of the Jordan College of the Arts (JCA) Board of Visitors. “It’s time to get out there and show ourselves as the fantastic school we are.”

See generously supports ArtsFest and the Butler Community Arts School. And though she wasn’t an arts major, her family tree is as firmly rooted in the arts as it is in Butler.

Her father and mother were amateur actors during her childhood, and “Patsy,” as family and friends call her, was active in high school theatre. When it came time for college, she and her brother followed in dad’s footsteps by attending his alma mater; Robert Brennan holds Butler degrees in Music and Pharmacy.

He also taught here for 18 years, some of which overlapped his children’s time as students. And nine years after her graduation, See joined him on Butler’s faculty.

After a career focused on speech and communication, See felt the bite of the theatre bug once her three children were grown.

“I got involved in the local (Zionsville, Indiana) community theatre. And because I can’t do anything halfway, I worked on 19 shows in a row and did everything except costuming,” she said. “I’ve relaxed a little bit now, except that this week, my husband and I are doing lights and sound for a children’s play.”

“Relaxed” meant getting involved in Butler arts again when an old classmate popped up on Facebook: Howard

Schrott, the arts supporter after which the Howard L. Schrott Center is named.

“Howard introduced me to Ron Caltabiano (Dean of the Jordan College of the Arts), and I thought his vision for Butler was long overdue,” See said. “I don’t have relationships with institutions. I have relationships with individuals at institutions. So after talking with Ron and those who support him, I was glad to get involved.”

See believes wholeheartedly in the quality of the arts at Butler and in the value of the arts in education.

“There’s no other discipline on earth that teaches you who you are—not only who you are, but who you are in relation to other people. My friend Lynn Manning says, ‘Art is the ultimate team sport.’ You find out how to work with other people in intricate ways, and you learn so much about yourself,” she said.

She pointed out that plenty of research shows the arts enhance every other discipline.

“Teaching the arts is integral to the proliferation of artistic expression,” See said. “The arts are cut and cut and cut from schools, yet there has to be some place that will continue to offer them.”

She believes Butler emphasizes excellence, expertise, and depth of knowledge to a degree no other school can match.

“Even just building the Schrott Center has elevated all the arts at Butler. It’s one of those rare places where you can do music, dance, and theatre all in one place because of the adaptability of the space. Now, with Studio 168, black-box spaces, Clowes, the Schrott—whatever you want to do, you can do it in one of our spaces.

“We’re starting to have a coordinated vision for the arts together. Butler’s Arts Center is just a gold mine of artistic expression.”

Patricia Brennan See ’74

By Cindy Conover Dashnaw

20 ALUMNI PROFILES20

Page 23: Butler Magazine - Spring 2016

“WE’RE STARTING TO HAVE A

COORDINATED VISION FOR THE

ARTS TOGETHER. BUTLER’S ARTS

CENTER IS JUST A GOLD MINE OF

ARTISTIC EXPRESSION.”

“WE’RE STARTING TO HAVE A

COORDINATED VISION FOR THE

ARTS TOGETHER. BUTLER’S ARTS

CENTER IS JUST A GOLD MINE OF

ARTISTIC EXPRESSION.”

“WE’RE STARTING TO HAVE A

COORDINATED VISION FOR THE

ARTS TOGETHER. BUTLER’S ARTS

CENTER IS JUST A GOLD MINE OF

ARTISTIC EXPRESSION.”

SPRING 2016 21

Page 24: Butler Magazine - Spring 2016

WHEN RENEE TABBEN ’94 ARRIVED AT BUTLER as a freshman, she dreamed of Broadway. She ended up—happily—closer to Wall Street.

“All I wanted to do was perform,” the Cincinnati native said. “I was absolutely focused on moving to New York and becoming wildly successful in musical theatre.”

But she also wanted a backup plan. Encouraged by her parents and Owen Schaub, the Department Head of Theatre at the time, Tabben declared an Arts Administration Major with a concentration in Theatre. During her time at Butler she performed with the Butler Chorale and participated in a variety of Jordan College of Fine Arts (JCFA), now currently named the Jordan College of the Arts (JCA), productions.

Her first job in musical theatre came two weeks after graduation at a summer stock theatre in Maine (thanks to an introduction from Bernard Wurger, a Butler Theater Professor). That opportunity led to several others at theatres across the country, but by 1997, Tabben wanted a change of pace.

Renee left New York, returning to her hometown of Cincinnati to consider going to law school. Before enrolling, she landed a temporary job at Fidelity Investments. The job required her to be a quick study and to communicate effectively—two skills she had honed while performing.

From there, an unexpected career in finance took off. Tabben went on to start a financial planning practice and earn an MBA from the J.L. Kellogg School of Management of Northwestern University.

Now she is the Market Executive of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in West Michigan. She is responsible for seven offices across the state in a role she said is incredibly dynamic, people focused, and personally rewarding.

“Theatre has a human, emotional, raw core,” she said. “When I began engaging with clients around their financial lives, I realized the connection with the person—their emotions about money, was the essential element to helping clients achieve their purpose for their wealth. My experience with communicating with audiences and actively listening helped me to connect with people. My business education in Arts Administration reinforced my value in the business world.”

That connection, Tabben said, is easier with the help of her Butler education.

“There is no way I ever thought I would be a Market Executive at Merrill Lynch,” she said. “But so many of those skills I learned at JCA are highly transferrable.”

“At Butler, what you’re learning can be valuable at a variety of careers. Stay open-minded—don’t limit yourself to what you think you can do with your degree.”

BRIGHT LIGHTSto

FINANCIALHEIGHTSRenee Tabben ’94By Evie Schultz ’16

ALUMNI PROFILES22

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WHERE IN THE WORLD IS JOHN THYEN? Depending on when you’re reading this, the 2010 graduate could be in Egypt dressed as a green ogre. Or in Asia, disguised as one of the three little pigs. Or in Australia singing in a chorus. Throughout 2016, Thyen is on a world tour with Shrek: The Musical, understudying the title role while also appearing nightly as a featured ensemble player.

“I’ve never left the country before,” he said prior to the tour, which began in January 2016 in Istanbul. “So I think it’s going to be life-changing to see so many different cultures and bring an art form that is awesome to so many different places.”

Thyen grew up in Valparaiso, Indiana, and chose Butler because the Jordan College of the Arts (JCA) offered an all-encompassing degree rather than a specialized one. Versatility, he realized, would be important for someone hoping to break into theatre. In fact, after sophomore year, Thyen changed his major to Arts Administration so he’d have a fully rounded view of the business. That, he said, “has been a huge benefit for me as a professional.”

After graduation, Thyen worked in Butler’s Office of Annual Giving for seven months, then took a job at a nonprofit for about a year. In his off hours, he performed in the Indianapolis Civic Theatre’s production of Rent and with Indianapolis Opera. But at work, he found himself thinking, “I’d rather be in rehearsal right now.” Thyen felt he owed it to himself to try to be a full-time actor.

So he packed up a car and drove to New York. He lined up a place to live and a temporary job and went to auditions. That led to some Off-Broadway and regional theatre work, then a national tour of Seussical the Musical. And now Shrek, where he will be dressed in 70-75 pounds of costume and prosthetics and, some nights, airbrushed in green paint. (Follow his trip on Instagram or his website, johnhthyen.com.)

Thyen said that when he took off for New York, the initial reaction from family and friends was mixed. “Your family is always a little bit like, ‘Oh, you’re going to give up a salary and benefits to go be a waiter.’ But I think they saw that I really wanted to do it,” he said, “and I’ve been able to show that hard work pays off.”

FROM BULLDOG to OGREJohn Thyen ’10By Marc D. Allan

SPRING 2016 23

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NATHAN BLUME ’O3 CAME TO BUTLER from Fort Wayne, Indiana, with a plan to double-major in Chemistry (on a pre-med track) and Trumpet Performance. A year later, thanks to the guidance of Professor of Music Michael Schelle, he went “all in” on music.

“Once I did it,” Blume said, “even the act of changing my major, I felt like that was exactly what I wanted to do. It took Schelle to get me to do that. Throughout my time there, he really became a mentor and instilled in me—not just through personal advice but in his teaching—a

confidence about myself and my abilities. I always knew that I wanted to come out to L.A. and try film music. I don’t think I’d be out here without Dr. Schelle’s advice and help.”

Schelle’s confidence proved spot-on—Blume’s resume now includes composing music for The CW Network’s Arrow and The Flash, CNN’s The Seventies, NBC’s Blindspot, and the popular web series Vixen.

But before Blume got to Hollywood, there were detours—a master’s degree from Carnegie Mellon University to build up his composition chops, followed by a couple of years with the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra while he and his future wife, Megan McGarry ’05, figured out their next steps. They married in 2006 and moved to California in 2007 so he could attend the University of Southern California’s (USC) Thornton Scoring for Motion Pictures and Television program. That one-year intensive curriculum, taught by working professionals, is “the front door into the film music industry,” Blume said. “That’s where you meet a lot of people and you start networking.” (In the meantime, McGarry founded and now serves as principal of a charter middle school in San Fernando.)

After USC, Blume found work consistently, first on short films, then on the TV series Eastwick, where he began collaborating with well-established composer Blake Neely. Blume credits his education for teaching him not only how to compose music but how to work fast (composers typically only get a week to write 35 minutes of music for a 42-minute show) and appreciate the way his work fits with everyone else’s.

“You want something that sets the tone for the piece,” he said. “You’re working as a collaborator. It’s not about you and your musical abilities. It’s about your ability to work with the project and accomplish the end goal that everyone’s trying to accomplish.”

SEEINGthe MUSICNathan Blume ’03By Marc D. Allan

ALUMNI PROFILES24

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DURING HER SIX YEARS AT BUTLER —four as an undergraduate Arts Administration major and two earning her Master of Music Education— Ursula Kuhar ’05 MM ’07 often thought about moving to Washington, DC.

In July, Kuhar took over as Executive Director of Washington Concert Opera, which specializes in performing seldom-heard operas. Kuhar calls it “one of the most revered companies in the country.”

Getting to this point was a journey that began in Powell, Ohio, outside Columbus, where Kuhar had volunteered for her hometown symphony orchestra while in high school. She knew she wanted to pursue a career in music. After meeting with then-Associate Dean of the Jordan College of Fine Arts Steve Roberson, she discovered the idea of Arts Administration as a major.

Butler’s undergraduate program allowed Kuhar to explore all avenues of music, from business to teaching to performance. She was so taken with what she learned from Professor Michael Sells (“He’s still a huge mentor and guiding force in my life, and a great friend.”) that she wanted to keep studying with him. So she stayed for a master’s degree, taking voice lessons and performance-based classes from Sells, as well as music education classes with another favorite professor of hers, Penny Dimmick.

Butler led to Indiana University, where Kuhar earned her Doctor of Music in Voice. Three days after graduation in 2011, she was hired by Sweet Briar College as Director and Assistant Professor of Arts Management. She spent four years there—and would have happily stayed longer—but on March 3, 2015, the faculty was assembled and told that the school would be closing on June 30. (That decision was rescinded in mid-June, but not until after Kuhar had accepted her position with Washington Concert Opera.)

At Sweet Briar, Kuhar had quadrupled enrollment in the arts-management program, helped secure foundation and individual gifts, and “had a wonderful time.” Now, she enjoys presenting “exquisite music” like Rossini’s Semiramide “to a group of devoted patrons.”

“It’s a niche that people love,” Kuhar said.

Plus, there’s the benefit of being in the nation’s capital. The location is head-turning, she said, “but I’m still a salt-of-the-earth, Midwest girl at the end of the day.”

MIDWESTERNVOICE in the

CAPITALUrsula Kuhar ’05By Marc D. Allan

SPRING 2016 25

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For the Starost Speicher family, music was and is a gift to be shared with

others. Helen Starost Speicher earned her bachelor’s degree from Butler in 1941 and her master’s degree in 1948 before going on to play music professionally, often alongside her sister Lillian, who also earned music degrees from Butler. The sisters embraced a love of music from their parents and grandparents, and spent their lives passing that love on to others. Both women spent many years teaching music in Indianapolis Public Schools and were active in arts organizations throughout the Midwest.

Together with her husband Bill ’35 and her sister Lillian ’38 MA ’48, Starost Speicher also chose to share her love of music by establishing three scholarships at Butler during her lifetime: The William and Helen Speicher Outstanding Music Performance Award, The Anne Starost Memorial Music Award, and The Starost Speicher Music Memorial Award.

“My mother and aunt were both professional musicians and they were very grateful for their

education,” said Helen and Bill’s daughter Anne Soper. “They wanted to afford others with the same opportunities they had because they knew how difficult it is to become a professional musician, especially how financially difficult it can be.”

The scholarships also honor Helen and Lillian’s parents, Anne and Charles Starost, who were both accomplished musicians. The three endowed scholarships currently benefit six Jordan College of the Arts students; Whitney Cleveland ’17 is the current recipient of two of those scholarships.

“It wouldn’t be possible for me to attend Butler without my scholarships,” Cleveland said. “I’m from a small town in western Montana, and while I grew up being very fortunate to have great teachers and strong and thriving community theatre, I didn’t have any friends my age who were serious about music. Being able to be surrounded by talented, dedicated musicians every day inspires me to work harder to fulfill my own potential.”

Soper says it would have brought her parents great joy to know that the scholarships they established are helping promising students like Cleveland pursue music at Butler.

“There was a lot of family history at Butler,” Soper said. “Butler was a very special place in their hearts.”

EMBRACING A LOVE OF MUSIC

By Jen GunnelsDONOR PROFILE

By Jen Gunnels

DONOR PROFILE26

Page 29: Butler Magazine - Spring 2016

KEEPING you CONNECTEDALUMNI and PARENT NEWS

ERIC FOERG ’02 major(s): Finance with a minor in History occupation:

Attorney chapter: Bay Area BEST BUTLER MEMORY: My best Butler memory was my first time on campus as an eighth-grader. The Bulldogs upset 11th-ranked Indiana in an afternoon game with the sun shining through the windows at Hinkle. The energy in the building seared into my mind that Butler was a special place. BEST CHAPTER EVENT: Our best chapter event was at a winery across from Sonoma Raceway on the day before the Grand Prix of Sonoma. Ed Carpenter ’03 graciously took time out of his busy race weekend schedule to meet with us. Plus, it was awesome to tour the grapevines while you could hear IndyCars roaring around the track.

CHAPTER PRESIDENT PROFILE

SUBMIT YOUR CLASS ACTS We want to hear from you. Share personal and professional updates with your classmates by submitting a Class Act. You can submit your news using the form at the back of the magazine, online at Bulldog Nation, bulldognation.butler.edu, or by emailing [email protected]. Select updates will be featured on the online version of Butler Magazine at butler.edu/magazine.

CONNECT WITH FELLOW BULLDOGS

There are many Butler events and gatherings being planned for alumni and friends throughout the country. Make sure to visit our calendar of events at butler.edu/alumni to see the latest events for the spring and summer.

REFER A FUTURE BULLDOGDo you know a current high school student who might be interested in Butler? Add him or her to our Admission mailing list. Visit butler.edu/refer to refer a student today.

SHARE YOUR BUTLER STORYEveryone in the Butler community has a story to tell or an experience to share, and we are interested in yours. Visit butler.edu/yourstory to tell us about your accomplishments, learning experiences, what Butler means to you, or to share a story about a faculty member, staff member, student, or alumnus who has had an impact on you.

27SPRING 2016

Page 30: Butler Magazine - Spring 2016

The ’40s

William Norton ’49 was recognized by The American Legion for 70 years of continuous membership.

The ’50s

Marcia Hirshy ’51 has won many awards for her artistic work, including Best in Show at Coral Springs Museum of Art in Florida.

The ’60s

Gloria (Lofquist) Laverty ’60 received the Clinton County Gem Award presented by the Clinton County Historical Society for her volunteerism and resources dedicated to making a difference in the lives of the citizenry of Clinton County, Indiana.

Larry Niksch ’62 testified to the House Foreign Affairs Committee in July on the Iran–North Korea nuclear and missile collaboration. He also is teaching East Asian Security at George Washington University.

Rick Weber ’64 chaired the 50th reunion of the IU Physical Therapy Class of 1965 at the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at the IU Medical Center in Indianapolis.

Charles Henzie ’65 has written a Children’s book, A Gerbil in the Backpack, which is available from Amazon and Tate Publishing.

Dr. Pamela Ruggieri ’65 has returned to the Peace Corps. She is serving in St. Lucia, where she trains and supervises staff at a treatment center for abused and neglected girls.

Thomas King ’66 was awarded the Charles L. Whistler Award for community service by the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee.

Warren Richards ’66 has retired as Associate Dean at Palm Beach University and has moved to Texas.

Willard Mays ’69 was re-elected Vice Chair of the National Coalition on Mental Health and Aging.

The ’70s

James Fels ’70 was named to the Best Lawyers in America for the 10th year, as well as named a Super Lawyer by Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters Company.

Alan Stanford ’70 is launching a new app called Sherish.

Bruce Darnall ’71 has written three articles published online by Athletes in Action.

Carol (Bowers) Morton ’72 has retired after 42 years as a pharmacist.

Geraldine (Woss) Turchan MS ’72 celebrated her 60th wedding anniversary with her husband, Norman.

Larry Hanson ’73 was named Rotarian of the Year by the Brown County Rotary Club in Nashville, Indiana.

John Kancilia ’75 was named to the 2016 Best Lawyers in America in the Health Care Law practice area.

Hannah (Dennewitz) Williams ’75 retired as a private school teacher of special education after a 30-year career.

Jeff Fehn ’78 successfully defended his doctoral dissertation at Regent University and was awarded the Doctor of Ministry degree. He is currently serving as the senior and founding pastor of Harmony Vineyard Church in Ashland, Virginia.

Elaine (Kops) Bedel MBA ’79 was selected to receive the Hoosier Heritage Lifetime Achievement Award for 2015.

The ’80s

Deirdre Moore Cipolla ’86 was promoted to Associate Director of Marketing Services for the New York Philharmonic at Lincoln Center.

Cathleen Stewart ’86, Executive Director of Pine Run Retirement Community in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, has reinvented and revitalized the senior living facilities to provide a better environment for the residents.

Anne (Voegele) Wilson ’86 is the new director of the nonprofit Batesville Community Education Foundation.

Sven Schumacher ’88 was awarded the Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Willie McHargue ’89 has been named Major Gifts Officer for the San José State University Athletics Department.

The ’90s

Steve Anderson ’91 is a co-founder of Panacea Pharmacy, which sees the need for wellness beyond prescription drugs.

Carol (Kolbus) Czaplicki ’91 has been promoted to Vice President of Marketing at Athletico Physical Therapy.

Marc Bergin MS ’92 is now Virginia Beach City Schools’ Chief of Staff.

Gregory Stohler ’93 is now Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Fontaine Fifth Wheel.

Maurice “Wade” Wingler ’93 was promoted to Vice President of Technology and Information Services at Easter Seals Crossroads in Indianapolis.

Michael Penrose ’94 has been named Athletic Director for Lawrence North High School, Indianapolis.

Spencer Martin ’95 started a summer music festival in Duino, Italy, at the United World College of the Adriatic.

Scott Hart ’96 has been appointed Senior Vice President of Worldwide Sales for Zaloni, a provider of peerless Hadoop software and services solutions.

Kara (Lassen) Oliver ’96 has written a book titled Passing It On: How to Nurture Your Children’s Faith Season by Season.

William Soards II ’96 was elected Second Vice Chairman of the Indiana Broadband and Technology Association (IBTA).

Andrew Whitfield ’97 started a summer music festival in Duino, Italy, at the United World College of the Adriatic.

Eric Payne ’98 joined Community Health Network Foundation’s Board of Directors.

CLASS ACTS

ACROSS the BULLDOG NATION

Hanson

Kancilia

CLASS ACTS28

Page 31: Butler Magazine - Spring 2016

Brian Dodge ’99 accepted an Associate Director of Project Management position with PPD, overseeing clinical trials in the Hematology/Oncology Group.

Alan McNeer ’99 was named National Sales Assistant at WNDU-TV in South Bend, Indiana.

Tanika Scott ’99 has joined association management company Holland-Parlette Associates as a Meetings/Membership/Communications Manager.

The ’00s

Jill Mackey Carrel ’00 re-entered the workforce as the Assistant Director of Alumni and Donor Relations at Marian University in Indianapolis.

Kristin (Hebert) Rampe ’00 was honored as part of CPA Practice Advisor’s national list of 40-under-40 accounting professionals.

Katherine (Hall) Reed ’00 MS ’11 has been appointed Assistant Principal at Hinkle Creek Elementary in Noblesville, Indiana.

Dr. John M. Watkins ’00 was awarded the 2015 Medical Resident Teaching Award by the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine.

Nikki Woodson ’00 has been elected to the Board of Governors of the International Baccalaureate for a three-year term.

Patrick Haney MS ’01 has won the prestigious Woodrow Wilson MBA Fellowship in Educational Leadership.

Suzanne Haag ’02 was named Executive Director of the Oregon-based interactive dance company #instaballet.

Brett Williamson ’02 has been named to Super Lawyers as a Rising Star for 2016, was awarded The Top 40 Under 40 by the National Trial Lawyers, and also was named 10 Best Under 40 by the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys.

Marcus Russell ’04 is now a National Sales Representative for insurance fraud investigation firm ISG.

Dr. Levi Hall ’05 was named Beaumont Hospital’s 2015 Race Relations and Diversity Task Force Diversity Champion and was appointed to the

Curriculum Committee by the Dean of the Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine.

Joey Wohlhieter ’05 was recognized as a Difference Maker at Butler University for his work as administrative specialist for the Department of Modern Languages, Literatures, and Cultures during the 2014–2015 academic year.

Kathleen Moffat ’06 is now the Director of Client Services at myCOI.

HOMECOMING#ButlerHOCO

SAVE THE DATE FOR HOMECOMING, OCTOBER 7–9, 2016!

Make plans to join us for the biggest Butler celebration of the year. Festivities will include Homecoming favorites like the football game, tailgating, Bulldog Beauty Contest, and more. Look for schedule and registration information to be released this summer. Update your contact information

with the Alumni Office at [email protected] to ensure that you receive the latest information.

SPRING 2016 29

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Dr. Josh Anderson ’07 is a co-founder of Panacea Pharmacy, which sees the need for wellness beyond prescription drugs.

Morgan Greenlee ’07 has been promoted to Director of Leisure Communications with Visit Indy.

Alessandra Souers ’07 received the 2015 Stefan Pollard Email Marketer of the Year Award, awarded by the Email Experience Council.

Mallory (King) de la Rosa ’09 has joined the American Society of Association Executives in Washington, DC, as Assistant Manager of Exhibitions and Registration.

Anne (Pepe) O’Brien ’09 has been promoted to Vice President of Marketing and Communications at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, Indiana.

Dan O’Brien ’09 has joined Kucic Associates Realty, based in Fishers, Indiana, as a residential real estate broker.

The ’10s

Caroline Bloemker ’11 received a master’s degree in Regulatory and Clinical Affairs from Grace College in Warsaw, Indiana, and has accepted a job with Arthrex, a medical device maker located in Naples, Florida.

Grace Douglass ’11 has accepted a position as the Infectious Disease Project Coordinator at Johns Hopkins Center for American Indian Health.

Stu Harvey ’11 has been hired as the Development and Licensing Manager at Swyft Media.

Adrienne (Scott) Redding ’11 has joined Hopebridge Pediatric Specialists working in the Kokomo (Indiana) Schools as a Speech-Language Pathologist.

Chris Beaman ’12 was promoted to Manager of Marketing and Communications for Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education.

Dr. Lester Burris ’12 is a co-founder of Panacea Pharmacy, which sees the

need for wellness beyond prescription drugs.

Scott Harvey ’13 was chosen to represent the PWC Midwest region on the USA team at the PWC International Basketball Tournament in Zagreb, Croatia. The PWC USA team won the overall championship in the tournament, which included teams from Italy, United Kingdom, Croatia, Germany, Spain, Greece, Cypress, China, France, and Poland.

Tabatha Ramsey ’13 is among the newest class of Woodrow Wilson Indiana Teaching Fellows.

Lance Rinker ’13 received a Master of Arts degree in Sport Management from East Tennessee State University and was hired as an Assistant Sports Information Director at Creighton University.

Weddings

Anne Williams ’86 and Jeffrey Williams ’86 on October 10, 2015

Krista (Miller) Deese ’91 and Mike Deese on August 8, 2015

Nicholas Bondi ’00 and Deborah Raithel on November 7, 2015 (PHOTO 15)

Matthew Yeager ’02 and Chelsea Whitton on September 26, 2015

Hayley (Sweet) Peeler ’06 and Nathan Peeler on May 23, 2015 (PHOTO 13)

Sally Miller ’10 and Nicholas Schellinger ’05 on September 12, 2015

Mirella (DeRango) Sabol ’08 and Kyle Sabol on October 17, 2015 (PHOTO 4)

Miranda (Britsch) Lynch ’10 and Dan Lynch ’11 on May 10, 2014

Stefanie (Lystlund) Ferguson ’11 and James Ryan Ferguson on April 11, 2015

Jennifer Green ’13 and Josh Koch ’14 on August 15, 2015 (PHOTO 1)

Elizabeth (Davis) Curtis ’15 and Alex Curtis ’14 on May 30, 2015 (PHOTO 10)

New Arrivals

Matthew Stoner ’98 and Ashley Stoner; Madison Ann Stoner on March 23, 2015 (PHOTO 5)

David Shanklin ’99 and Sarah Shanklin; Jack Patrick and Samuel Joseph Shanklin on April 29, 2014 (PHOTO 8)

John M. Watkins ’00 and Patricia Lynn Watkins; Anastasia Lynn Watkins on June 24, 2015 (PHOTO 14)

Brandon Renner ’02 and Jenn Renner; Logan Conrad Renner on April 13, 2015 (PHOTO 16)

Jessica Meek ’03 and Brian Meek; Ellery Elizabeth Meek on May 4, 2015

Gwyn (Fox) Stump ’03 and David Stump ’05; Alexander Stump on August 4, 2015

Ryan Marques ’04 and Jobrina Marques; Julian Sebastião Perez Marques and Luciana Lynnde Conceição Marques on July 13, 2015

Abby (Seger) Odmark ’05 and Eric Odmark ’06; Cooper Seger Odmark on January 16, 2015; Cooper joins big brother Graham.

Lauren (Smith) Shook ’05 and Evan Shook; Ani Eugene on September 9, 2015 (PHOTO 17)

Emily (Heimann) VanOsdol ’05 and Adam VanOsdol; Nora VanOsdol on September 17, 2015 (PHOTO 11)

Derek Hagenhoff ’06 and Alexis (Bamvakais) Hagenhoff ’09; Grace Elizabeth Hagenhoff on June 4, 2015 (PHOTO 6)

Jessie (Wiley) Brolsma ’07 and Kevin Brolsma ’07; Parker Dale Brolsma on February 9, 2015 (PHOTO 2)

Julie Schwarz Przygoda ’07 and Wayne Przygoda; Brooke Marie Przygoda on July 21, 2015 (PHOTO 12)

Madeleine (Briscoe) Smith ’07 and Justin Smith; Genevieve Ruthe Smith on September 28, 2015 (PHOTO 18)

Whitney (Daniel) Watkins ’07 and Ross Watkins ’07; Henry Steven Watkins on March 28, 2015

Beth Fontanarosa ’08 MA ’11 and Dan Halter ’09 MPA ’10; George Bernard Halter on May 1, 2015 (PHOTO 7)

Elisa (Liszewski) Pozywio ’08 and Tom Pozywio; Max Vincent Pozywio on September 24, 2014

Lindsey (Kanter) Gruenwald ’09 and David Gruenwald; Kiersten Olivia Gruenwald on June 1, 2015 Sharon (Brill) Livingston ’09 and Kent Livingston ’09; Esmond Reid Livingston on September 2, 2015 (PHOTO 3)

Anne (Pepe) O’Brien ’09 and Dan O’Brien ’09; Grace Rosemary O’Brien on July 17, 2015

Lauren (Ebersole) Branscum ’10 and Kyle Branscum; Sarah Penny Branscum on February 26, 2015 (PHOTO 9)

Dr. Amy (Records) Fasbinder ’10 and Nick Fasbinder; Cooper Fasbinder on August 23, 2015

Brittany (Eubank) Pullin ’12 and Kurt Pullin; Clark Jameson Pullin on March 19, 2015

CLASS ACTS

Harvey

Redding

Beaman

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OUR GROWING BUTLER COMMUNITY

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Your fellow alumni are interested in your professional accomplishments, including a job change, a promotion, or retirement; community and volunteer activities; recent marriage or addition to your family; or any other news you would like to share.

Send to Alumni and Parent Programs, Butler University, 4600 Sunset Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46208; online through Bulldog Nation at bulldognation.butler.edu; via email to [email protected]; or fax to 317-940-8079.

INCLUDE MY NEWS IN THE NEXT CLASS ACTS!

Name Email Class Year Today’s Date

Address, City, State, Zip q New Address Phone (home)

Employer/Position Phone (work) Phone (cell)

Employer Address, City, State, Zip

Please include:

Due to space limitations, submitted photographs may not always be published.

In Memoriam

Ernestine (Cline) Allen ’39 Lilly (Gebhardt) Paddock ’39 Clara (Naumsek) Hedden ’40 Mary-Catherine Wild ’42 Richard Hudelson ’43 Barbara (Martin) Vonnegut ’43 Stephen DeWald ’44 Ruth (Pearson) Powell ’44 Bernice (Hauser) Wagner ’44 Annabelle Cummings-

Corrigan ’46 Francis Britt ’47 Jean (Farson) Campbell ’48 Samuel Eggers ’48 Leonard Thiel ’48 Verna (Croddy) Nau ’49 Clayton Thomas ’49 Dorothy (Jarrett) Forbes ’50 Kenneth Hallam ’50 Robert Post ’50 Jane (Biller) Steinhart ’50 Oliver Ault ’51 Leonard Lawton ’51 Patrick Reed ’51 Marie (Strakis) Stirling ’51 Loren Arnett ’52 Erwin Karlin ’52 Thomas Skoniecke ’52 Herald Haskell ’53 William Harrison MS ’54William Roberts ’54 Paul Becher ’55 Richard Mote MA ’55Richard Silvers ’55 Ralph Carmichael MS ’56Larry Jackson ’56 Nancy Prante ’56 Oliver Warner MS ’56

Marilyn (Crow) Frost ’58 Robert Myers MS ’58Elizabeth (Gray) Schurtz ’58

MA ’60 James Bohn ’59 Chester Freeland ’59 James Ringer ’60 Don Seawall ’61 Janet Pieper ’62 John Eason MS ’63Gordon Pope ’63 Alice (Shelton) Ewbank ’64 MS ’67 Edward Harris ’64 Sally Ann (Polivka) Davis ’66 Doris (Sopke) Martin MS ’66Elizabeth (Miles) Rapp ’66 Phyllis (Taylor) Abel MS ’67Patricia (Parker) Cook MS ’67Phillip Rea ’67 Vera (Abel) Holmes MS ’69Brenda (Williamson) Esterline

MS ’69C. R. Isaiah MS ’70Annie (Stargel) Hartman MS ’72Richard Nagel ’72 Karen Brooks MS ’74Lois (Sparks) Preston ’74 Barbara (Gray) Steinsberger

Phillips MS ’74Marilyn (Emery) Hon ’76 MS ’80Elaine (Morgan) Bookwalter ’77Mary Winn Fuller MA ’77 David Bushman ’79 Jodi (Smith) Gipson ’80 Karl Klippel ’81 Luther Garcia ’84 Neil Copley ’85 MM ’88Gregory Bush ’94 Jaima (Hill) LaFollette ’02Andrew Smith ’13

Betty Winn Fuller MA ’77, mother-in-law of Board of Trustees Chair Emeritus John R. Hargrove, died December 19, 2015. She received her

undergraduate degree from the University of Cincinnati in 1948, and her master’s degree in Library Science from Butler in 1977. Fuller lived most of her adult life in Indianapolis, where she was an active volunteer, serving as an officer on many church, school, and community boards.

Fuller was a published writer and the recipient of the Educational Journalism Award from EdPress in 1982. She worked in the Carmel Public Library and was a freelance writer for several publications, contributing articles to many professional journals. She and her husband, Samuel A. Fuller, who survives her, retired to Sun City Center, Florida in 1989. There, she continued her service as a dedicated volunteer until shortly before her death.

Four generations of the extended Fuller family graduated from Butler. Fuller’s father-in-law, John L. H. Fuller ’17, and her son-in-law John R. Hargrove ’69, both served as members of the Butler University Board of Trustees. Two of her grandchildren graduated from Butler, John Ashby Hargrove ’88 and Carolyn Marie Wolfe ’04.

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500 50in

A $ 2 5 , 0 0 0 B U T L E R F U N D C H A L L E N G E

A P R I L 1 1 – M A Y 3 1

Your participation matters, regardless of the size of your donation. Gifts to the

Butler Fund go to work immediately supporting every part of the Butler experience

including student financial aid, academic resources, classroom technology,

arts events, even the beautiful campus that generations have called home. By

supporting the Butler Fund today, you provide countless opportunities to Butler

students, and bring us one step closer to achieving the “500 in 50” challenge.

MAKE YOUR BUTLER FUND GIFT ONLINE AT

BULLDOGNATION.BUTLER.EDU/500IN50 BY MAY 31—THE END OF OUR FISCAL YEAR.

Butler University Trustee Bob ’74 and Kathi Postlethwait ’74 are challenging loyal Butler alumni to support the Butler Fund.

If Butler receives 500 gifts to the Butler Fund in 50 days, the Postlethwaits will designate a $25,000

Butler Fund gift in honor of all who participate.

BECAUSE OF YOU, WE ARE BU!

Page 36: Butler Magazine - Spring 2016

Nonprofit OrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDButler

University

They say life imitates art, but I think art imitates life. After all, this issue of Butler Magazine is about what brings people to campus in real life, right? I try to be humble, but we all know that I’m pretty popular around here. Now something else is bringing people here just as much as I do: Arts at Butler.

We have a lot in common. I have four paws, and the Butler Arts Center has four facilities: Clowes, the Schrott, Black Box Studio Theatre, and Eidson-Duckwall Recital Hall. The Center is unique, and of course it goes without saying that I’m one of a kind. (Hey, how many of you have touched your tongue to your nose while wearing a costume from The Nutcracker?)

With more than 300 student, faculty, and professional performances each year, Butler is the Central Indiana destination for exceptional arts experiences and an academic incubator for outstanding arts professionals.

I’m not sure we’ll ever have Enzo or those Olate Dogs (after all, they’re poodles) at the Butler Arts Center as we do have pretty high standards here. Even if our offerings don’t include my furry friends, one thing’s for sure: Everything we offer will be top-notch and worth seeing. See you in the audience!

GO DAWGS!TRIP (BUTLER BLUE III)

4600 Sunset AvenueIndianapolis, IN 46208

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

TRIPTALES