2025 Events
Founded for Change, Amplifying Our Mission
February 3-7
Activities are open to all members of the Butler community. No RSVP is required unless stated otherwise.
Monday, February 3
A Historical Exhibit from Special Collections, Rare Books, and University Archives
Reilly Room
Prepared by Irwin Library staff, this exhibit highlights the founding of Butler University and the enduring legacy of Butler’s mission. The exhibit will be available for viewing through Friday afternoon.
CCOM Podcast Special with Ovid Butler’s Great (4x) Granddaughter, Anna Demia Colosi
Anna joins CCOM Dean Joe Valenzano as part of this year’s Founder’s Celebration to discuss the important legacy of Ovid and the immense pride her family shares in seeing all that Butler University continues to be.
You can find the podcast episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
COPHS “Pieces of Our Identity, Strength of Our Community” Photo Collage
COPHS student, staff, and faculty are invited to celebrate their individual identities and values by participating in this photo submission activity! Throughout the week and picture by picture, we will uncover the cultural mosaic forming COPHS. Please join us in celebrating how our diversity helps shape our college and university, and the ways our work and studies at COPHS help us define who we are. To participate, please post a photo of yourself and tag the COPHS Instagram account (@butler.cophs). Each submission should have a short caption describing how the picture connects Butler’s spirit and values and an aspect of the participant’s identity. Submissions be unveiled through COPHS e-boards.
DEI Forum and Awards Ceremony
3:30 PM
Reilly Room and live-streamed via butler.edu/live
Members of the Butler Community are invited to attend this annual update from our VP for DEI and Student Affairs, Dr. Khalilah Marbury, to include the results from our most recent campus climate surveys followed by a fireside chat. Have a question you want to ask Dr. Marbury about DEI at Butler or beyond? Submit the question you want most answered using this form. Dr. Marbury will cover as much information as possible. We will conclude our event by recognizing the 2025 recipients of the DEI Champion Awards and the Ovid Butler Founder’s Award.
Tuesday, February 4
Battle of the Bulldogs
6:00-7:00 PM
Reilly Room
It’s game time! Gather your team of 4-6 players for a trivia night featuring Butler history, general knowledge, pop culture, and more. Or, plan to be an audience member and cheer on your favorite team! Refreshments will be provided. Register your team here. The team with the highest score will receive a Butler-themed grand prize. Want to participate, but need help organizing a team? Let us know by emailing Lauryn Jones (ldjones3@butler.edu).
Wednesday, Feb 5
Women’s Basketball Game versus Villanova University
7:00 PM
Hinkle Fieldhouse
Bring your Bulldog pride and celebrate female athletes on National Women in Sports Day by supporting our Women’s Basketball Team as they face Villanova! Butler Athletics is offering one complimentary ticket per Butler staff and faculty member and a discounted ticket for their guest. Please complete this link for your tickets. Go Dawgs!
Thursday, Feb 6
Building a Culture of Change: Empowering Leadership with Payton Head
6:00-7:30 PM
Reilly Room
After a viral Facebook post detailing his experience overcoming systemic injustice at the University of Missouri, Payton Head ignited the student body to advocate for a more inclusive campus and be a change agent in higher education. A rising community leader, Head details the adversities caused by race, gender, and sexual orientation discrimination and proven solutions to facilitate open dialogue and embrace marginalized communities.
With a passion for the theory of education and action, in order to affect change, with the National Campus Leadership Council and the US Department of Education in 2016, he co-authored a guide for student leaders on strategy for addressing inclusion at educational institutions and presented to universities communities nationwide on the importance of creating a culture of acceptance.
Join us for a keynote speaker as we learn how to strive for equity and combat hatred with radical love for others and themselves. Open to all and BCR credit will be provided. A Q&A will follow. Learn more about Payton at this link.
A New View Film Series: Young Plato, Compass Center
7:00-9:00 PM
Eidson-Duckwall Recital Hall
YOUNG PLATO charts the dream of Elvis-loving school headmaster Kevin McArevey – a maverick who is determined to change the fortunes of an inner-city community plagued by urban decay, sectarian aggression, poverty and drugs. The all-boys primary school in post-conflict Belfast, Northern Ireland, becomes a hot house for thinking and questioning, as the headmaster encourages the children to see beyond the boundaries and limitations of their community, and sends his young wards home each day armed with the wisdom of the ancient Greek philosophers. The boys challenge their school-friends, parents and neighbors to find alternatives to violence and prejudice, and to challenge the mythologies of war: modeling peace and reconciliation building strategies. Open to all. BCR credit is provided.
Friday, Feb. 7
Founder’s Service Day
1:00–3:30 PM
Fairview Community Room
Community Service is a vital aspect of the Butler culture and community. Members of the Butler community are encouraged to help create no-sew blankets to benefit Horizon House. Come and go as you can. No prior experience need and supplies will be provided.