Alumni Awards

The Alumni Association awards program honors the achievements of outstanding alumni by presenting exemplary graduates and former students with six prestigious awards: the Butler Medal, the Butler Service Medal, and awards named in memory of graduates Joseph Irwin Sweeney, Katharine Merrill Graydon, Hilton Ultimus Brown, and Robert Todd Duncan. The awards honor individuals for their commitment to the University and to their communities. Click below to watch the 2025 awards ceremony.

Nominations

Alumni, faculty, staff, and friends are all encouraged to submit nominations online or by contacting alumni@butler.edu to receive a printed nomination form. At a minimum, each nomination should include a letter that states the category of nomination and establishes the candidate’s qualification with clear and concise detail. The letter should include the nominator’s contact information. The nominee’s vita or professional resume, contact information and letters of support from other individuals are strongly encouraged.

Alumni Award Descriptions and 2026 Honorees

View Past Winners

Butler Medal

Jane E. Magnus-Stinson ’79

The Butler Medal is the highest honor conferred by the Butler University Alumni Association, recognizing individuals for a lifetime of distinguished service to either Butler or their local community while at the same time achieving a distinguished career in their chosen profession and attaining a regional or national reputation.

Butler Service Medal

Dr. Kenneth C. Creech

The Butler Service Medal is the second-highest honor conferred by the Butler University Alumni Association. It recognizes former faculty and staff for extraordinary and distinguished service to Butler University, while at the same time achieving a distinguished career in their chosen profession and attaining a regional or national reputation.

Robert Todd Duncan
Alumni Achievement Award

Adam W. McKinney ’98

The Robert Todd Duncan Alumni Achievement Award is granted to Butler University graduates or former students* whose outstanding personal and/or professional accomplishment brings honor and distinction to the University, and individual attainment and/or contributions for the betterment of society.

Katharine Merrill Graydon
Alumni Service Award

Stephen Key ’77

The Katharine Merrill Graydon Alumni Service Award is granted to Butler University graduates or former students* who have demonstrated a significant commitment of outstanding service to the University ultimately assisting in perpetuating Butler as a great educational and cultural institution.

Hilton Ultimus Brown
Alumni Achievement Award

Umayr (Umy) R. Shaikh MPH ’21

The Hilton Ultimus Brown Alumni Achievement Award is granted to recent Butler University graduates or former students* whose outstanding personal and/or professional accomplishment brings honor and distinction to the University, and individual attainment and/or contributions for the betterment of society.

Joseph Irwin Sweeney
Alumni Service Award

Brent Sever ’11

The Joseph Irwin Sweeney Alumni Service Award is granted to recent Butler University graduates or former students* who have demonstrated a significant commitment of outstanding service to the University ultimately assisting in perpetuating Butler as a great educational and cultural institution.

Ovid Butler Society Mortar Award

Midge (Dadd) Decker ’66

The Mortar Award, created in 1995, honors one person or couple each year who personifies the Butler spirit by demonstrating great vision, leadership, and generosity to Butler University. 

Ovid Butler Society Foundation Award

Jace ’13 and Linnea Tennant MBA ’15, PharmD ’15

The Foundation Award, created in 2011, honors one person or couple (age 40 and younger) each year who personifies the Butler spirit by demonstrating leadership and generosity to Butler University.

Alumni Excellence

Meet the 2026 Honorees