2024 Events

Founded for Change, Amplifying Our Mission

February 6–9

Activities are open to all members of the Butler community, no RSVP required.

Tuesday, February 6

Founder’s Day at Butler University: An Exhibit
Reilly Room

Prepared by Professor Emerita Sally Childs-Helton and Special Collections Assistant Megan McKee, this exhibit highlights the founding of Butler University and the enduring legacy of Butler’s mission. Exhibit will be available for viewing through Friday afternoon.

Take the Butler Trivia Challenge

Find out how much you know about Butler University by taking our virtual trivia challenge beginning on February. 6. Those with a perfect score will be entered into a drawing for prize packs. Trivia will close Thursday, Feb. 8 at 5 PM.

The History of Inclusivity at Butler University – a small exhibit 
Irwin Library

Prepared by Butler student, Jacob Serer, this exhibit showcases inclusivity at Butler from its founding through to the early 2020s. Available through the end of February located in the small glass case across from the Information Commons desk on the first floor of Irwin Library

Wednesday, February 7

I-LEAD Open House
10:00–11:30 AM and 1:00–2:30 PM

Jordan Hall 186 has been transformed into an I-LEAD space (Interact, Lead, Engage, Act, and Discover). Explore the renovation, grab a snack, find out how you can reserve the space, and learn how I-LEAD programming advances our diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.

DEI in Action: A Forum
3:30 PM
Reilly Room and livestreamed via butler.edu/live

Facilitated by VP and Chief Diversity Officer Dr. Khalilah A. Shabazz, this forum will focus on the progress we have made to amplify our founding mission and will recognize the 2024 DEI Champion Awards and the Ovid Butler Founder’s Award recipients. Refreshments will follow.  

Thursday, Feb 8

Constructive Conflict and Healing-Centered DEI Engagement – An Interactive Assembly with Dr. Siobhan McEvoy-Levy
3:00–4:15 PM
Reilly Room and livestreamed via butler.edu/live

This session will provide attendees the opportunity to learn how nonviolent and constructive conflict can be applied to achieve our priority to “create an intentionally diverse, inclusive and equitable learning and working environment.” BCR credit will be provided to students who participate in person.

This session focuses on the role of conflict in creating an intentionally diverse, inclusive, and equitable learning and working environment at Butler University and beyond. The goal of DEI transformations are to produce justice and peace. How much conflict can and should be expected in that process and how should we approach conflict? Conflict is not necessarily to be feared. Nonviolent conflict sparks remarkable progress. Nevertheless, when conflicts occur over values, visions, goals, pathways to results and the distribution of resources, they can be painful and harmful to relationships, and barriers to positive change. How should members of the Butler community engage in conflict so that we may end up in relationships that are stronger and wider than they were before? The session will begin and conclude with grounding meditations, introduce the concepts of constructive conflict and healing-center engagement, and provide time in groups to share our experiences of conflict and generate ideas for approaching conflict to achieve justice and our founder’s vision of creating educational opportunities for all regardless of gender, race, or circumstance.

Friday, Feb. 9

Founder’s Service Day
1:00–4:00 PM
Fairview Community Room

Join us as we make no-sew blankets to benefit the Horizon House. Come and go as you are able. Supplies will be provided.