Dawgs Vote

Butler’s Civic Engagement History

Civic Engagement & Education are not new concepts at Butler.

Commitment to civic engagement is not a new concept to Butler University. Founded in 1855 (then, North Western Christian University) by attorney and abolitionist Ovid Butler, its charter proclaimed a “non-sectarian institution free of the taint of slavery offering instruction in every branch of liberal and professional education”— a vision which translated into the admission of women and persons of color on an equal basis. These earliest acts of engagement inform the current mission of our university as we strive to enlarge the definition of a university as a place of learning for scholars, students, and the communities that lie beyond our campus.

The Butler University mission statement is as follows:
“Butler University, founded on ideals of equity and academic excellence, creates and fosters a collaborative, stimulating intellectual learning environment. We are inspired to boldly innovate and broadly educate, enriching communities and preparing all learners to lead meaningful lives.”

Ovid Butler’s work as an abolitionist informs our current mission statement as well as the curricular and co-curricular programming as we strive to continue his work and mission in creating an equitable experience and developing civic minded global citizens.

DawgsVote hopes to align not only with this mission but also with the university learning outcome, “By graduation, Butler’s dynamic academic and co-curricular offerings will prepare our students to demonstrate the following: A capacity to help shape our local and global communities through civic understanding and an appreciation of diverse perspectives.”