The Compass Center Scholars Program

The Compass Center Scholarship is awarded to students who have a passion for engaging with people of religious, spiritual, and secular backgrounds that are different than their own.  Whether you have experience engaging with diverse religious and secular communities or aspire to, the Compass Center Scholarship is a tremendous opportunity to pursue these skills, hone your values, and continue to pursue a life of purpose.  It is not required for Compass Center Scholars to have a religious or spiritual affiliation themselves, but they must appreciate hearing and engaging with people of different perspectives, backgrounds, and opinions.

Candidates from diverse backgrounds with an excellent academic record and a commitment to interfaith engagement are highly encouraged to apply. Compass Center Scholars are required to participate in regular meetings of the Scholars cohort and in the interfaith programming as engaged community members through interfaith exploration, leadership opportunities, and service activities.  Additionally, recipients of this award are expected to be excellent students, maintaining at least a 3.0 GPA each semester. The Compass Center Scholar in Residence, Dr. Brent Hege, serves as a mentor and guide and creates a unique Scholar community, supporting student success in the program and at Butler.

The Compass Center Scholarship is offered to fewer than 10 incoming students a year for $4,000 per academic year for the first four years at Butler, presuming Scholars meet all requirements.  The Compass Center Scholarship is a competitive application process for a unique Butler experience.

To Apply:
1. Complete the Common App (and submit all required supporting materials) by our November 1 deadline.

2. Complete the Compass Center Scholarship application by November 15. (Access to the application will be made available to students on their status page after their application for admission is submitted.)

Identified applicants will be invited to attend the Butler Blue Scholars’ Day Program in spring 2025, which will include individual Butler Blue Scholars’ Interviews. Invitations will be sent in December 2024. 

Application Deadline:
Apply for admission by November 1; complete the Compass Center Scholarship application by November 15.

Award Amount:
$4,000 per academic year

Selection Criteria:
Students must be admitted Early Action or Early Decision. In addition to submitting an impactful application essay, ideal candidates should have a strong academic record and have demonstrated interest and participation in two or more of the following:

  • Leadership
  • Religious Exploration
  • Interfaith Engagement
  • Service to Others/Social Justice Activism

​Notification:
Award letters are sent by mid-March.

Renewable?
Yes, as long as the student maintains the renewal criteria outlined in the scholarship offer; students should maintain a 3.0 GPA and will be expected to participate at least 10 hours/semester of interfaith engagement on campus.

For additional scholarship opportunities, please refer back to the Admission and Aid webpage.​ For more information, contact Madalyn Lehman, mbigham@butler.edu.

Compass Center Scholar Stories

Maria Abdelmalek

“Interfaith council gave me an opportunity to learn about other religions, spiritual, and secular beliefs, which in turn made me delve deeper into my own religion. The mere exposure to other traditions made me fascinated with the differences and similarities between my own line of thinking and varying ideologies. For the first time in my life, I was learning to be comfortable being uncomfortable.”

Read Maria’s Story

Rose Cruzan

“You don’t need to be spiritual, you don’t need to be religious, you just need to be open-minded and ready to talk… Throughout the conversations I’ve had through the Center, I’ve grown to not only understand other beliefs, but to grow more deeply rooted in my own. It’s a unique experience that I think everyone deserves to enjoy.”

Read Rose’s Story