Butler Communities
Butler Communities provide opportunities for Butler alumni, parents, family, and friends to stay involved with Butler, no matter where they live. Butler Communities are groups of alumni, supporters, and friends linked by a common experience such as a geographic area or special interest and serve as extensions of the Butler University Alumni Association. In addition to serving the Alumni Association’s mission, communities work in partnership with the Office of Butler Community Engagement staff to provide opportunities for Butler alumni, parents, family, and friends to stay engaged in meaningful ways that benefit the overall mission of the University.
- Atlanta
- Bay Area (San Francisco, Oakland, Sacramento)
- Greater Boston
- Central Indiana
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Detroit
- Greater Evansville
- Fort Wayne
- Mile High (Denver)
- Greater New York
- St. Louis
- Washington, DC
- Black Alumni Association
- Latinx Alumni Association
- LGBT Alumni Association
- MBA Alumni Community
- Young Alumni Board of Directors
Featured Alumni Initiatives
BUAA Ayres Student Assistance Fund Challenge
Join the Butler University Alumni Association as they work to raise funds and awareness for the Ayres Student Assistance Fund. The Ayres Student Assistance Fund helps students whose financial need increases due to a change in their financial circumstances which could prevent them from completing their education at Butler University (i.e. parent/personal job loss, disability, etc.). Supporting the Ayres fund provides financial resources to students at-risk of not being able to graduate into the alumni family. The BU Alumni Association board of directors will match gifts, dollar for dollar up to $9,000 during Day of Giving.
Melissa Smurdon, Director of Financial Aid: “I have worked in the Butler Office of Financial Aid for 28 years. The Ayres Student Assistance Fund is one of the most impactful aid programs we have to target support to students exactly where needed. For a student who has already invested significantly in a Butler education, a small Butler investment, in turn, pays huge dividends over a lifetime for that student and the Butler community.”
Sharon (Boyack) Myers ’90, President-Elect, Alumni Association Board of Directors: “It's important for me to support the Ayres Fund on Butler's Day of Giving because students facing financial difficulties should have the opportunity to complete their Butler education. During my junior year of college, my father lost his job and it was only because my grandfather stepped in that I was able to stay and complete my Butler education. It's time to pay it forward and ensure current Butler students are afforded the same opportunity to become alumni and Dawgs for life!”
Chicago Trek Challenge
Leaders of the Chicago Butler Community have come together to support the Chicago Trek. The Chicago Trek is an opportunity for students to network with Butler alumni and employers. The goal of the program is to introduce students to Chicago and the benefits of living and working in the country’s third-largest city all while showcasing students to internship and career opportunities within the city. Chicago Butler Community members will match your gifts to the Chicago Trek Fund up to $2,000. Once our challenge is complete, we will be able to support 4 students' ability to attend the Chicago Trek.
Detroit Trek Challenge
Support career exploration opportunities in Detroit! Since 2018, Butler students have traveled to Detroit over Fall Break to network with alumni and employers and learn about internship and career opportunities in the Motor City. Along with tours of companies where Butler alumni work or have contacts, students also participate in networking events with alumni in the area, allowing them an opportunity to hear about what it’s like to live and work in the city directly from fellow Bulldogs! These Detroit Treks have been made possible through donations from local alumni. Leaders of the Greater Detroit Butler Community will match your donations to the Detroit Trek Fund dollar-for-dollar up to $3,000 – doubling your impact! Our goal is to raise $6,000, covering the cost of the entire 2022 Detroit Trek for 10 Butler students.
Butler Giving Circle Challenge
Want to help Butler students engage with causes they’re passionate about? Join a community of like-minded Butler alumni making a difference in the Butler Giving Circle!
The Butler Giving Circle (BGC) is a group of alumni donors committed to supporting student scholarship and community partnerships. Since 2019, the BGC has awarded nearly $50,000 in community grants through their collective efforts, as well as supported the Butler Fund for Student Scholarship and experiential learning opportunities for students. On Day of Giving, YOU can join this exceptional group of alumni leaders making a difference through our Giving Circle Challenge! Your $250 gift to the Giving Circle fund can connect you with Butler students and help them engage with causes they care about. The more alumni who join, the greater impact we can have on campus and in the community.
