Dodie Miles Kappes '47
Butler Medal, 1999
Dodie Miles Kappes' presence at any Butler event brightens the
day and boosts the Bulldogs. Dodie attended Butler in the late
1940s, where she met and later married Philip "Skip" Kappes '45.
Three children and seven grandchildren later, Dodie and Skip
celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1998.
Dodie's leadership has extended from collegiate organizations to
community and educational groups. She has served as president for
the Gamma Alumnae of Kappa Alpha Theta, the Indianapolis Alumnae of
Kappa Alpha Theta, the Benefe Guild (a philanthropic service
organization), the Indiana Lawyers Auxiliary, the Children's Museum
Guild and the Indianapolis Zoological Guild.
A particular advocate of children and education initiatives,
Dodie enjoyed docent work at The Children's Museum as well as
serving on their board of trustees. She conducted school children
tours through the museum and also initiated the Haunted House
fundraising project, which has become one of the most successful
campaigns of any nonprofit organization in the city of
Indianapolis. In 1999, Dodie celebrated her 35th consecutive year
of raising funds for the museum.
Dodie has a similarly successful history with the Indianapolis
Zoological Guild. When the original zoo was being built, their
board of directors asked Dodie to establish a women's guild. As its
founder and first president in 1964, Dodie built the foundation for
a guild that is still going strong today. She also chaired a
committee to raise money for the first elephant house at the zoo.
Her committee sold $0.25 stock certificates to school children,
raising $10,000 to fund the "Elephant Rama." She has served on the
board of directors for both the Indianapolis Zoological Society and
Guild.
Additionally, Dodie has served on the fundraising committees of
the American Cancer Society, Mother March of Dimes, the American
Red Cross and the United Way. She helped staff and manage the
Duffel Bag Project of the Boy Scouts of America Crossroad
Council.
Dodie has received the Spooner Award and the Brass Ring Award
from The Children's Museum, the former an award to the guild member
who has devoted the most hours of service to the museum. The latter
is an award presented to the guild member, chosen by the museum
staff, for outstanding involvement in the life of the museum. Kappa
Alpha Theta awarded Dodie the Twin Star Award for her outstanding
service to the Indianapolis Alumnae Chapter and the Indianapolis
community.
Dodie's enthusiasm for the Butler Bulldogs is famous. She is an
avid supporter of men's and women's basketball and chaired
Homecoming when it was entirely sponsored and planned by alumni.
She has also served on the Alumni Association Board of Directors.
Dodie's hard work, dedication and well-loved warmth and charm
radiate through the Butler and Indianapolis communities.
Updated 1999