Butler University

Butler University stands as a testament to pioneering spirit and progressive education, founded on principles of inclusivity and academic excellence. Established in 1850 with a charter from Ovid Butler, the institution opened its doors in 1855 as North-Western Christian University, making a bold statement as a non-sectarian school, free from the taint of slavery, and committed to offering liberal and professional education to all. This foundational vision immediately set Butler apart as a beacon of forward-thinking higher education in the United States.

Historically, Butler was a trailblazer, being the second university in Indiana and the third in the entire United States to admit both men and women, a revolutionary step for its time. Its commitment to equality extended into academia with the establishment of Indiana's first professorship and Department of English literature. Most notably, in 1869, Ovid Butler endowed the Demia Butler Chair of English Literature in honor of his daughter, creating the first endowed position at an American university specifically designated for a female professor. Catharine Merrill, the second female university professor in the country, was the inaugural holder of this prestigious chair.

Over the decades, Butler University, renamed in 1877 to honor its visionary founder, continued to evolve and expand its academic reach through strategic mergers. These alliances allowed for the establishment of vital colleges, including those for teachers, business administration, pharmacy and health sciences, and fine arts. Today, Butler offers a comprehensive and engaging student experience rooted in its rich history of innovation, providing a diverse array of academic programs designed to prepare students for impactful careers and lives, while maintaining its core values of inclusive education and academic rigor.