Butler University

Butler University, originally founded as North-Western Christian University in 1855, stands as a testament to pioneering education and inclusive values. From its inception, the university's charter championed a non-sectarian institution, free from the taint of slavery, and remarkably, was the second in Indiana and third in the United States to admit both men and women. This commitment to equality laid the groundwork for a truly progressive academic environment.

The university's history is marked by groundbreaking achievements in academic innovation. It established Indiana's first professorship in English literature and the state's first Department of English. A significant milestone occurred in 1869 when Ovid Butler endowed the Demia Butler Chair of English Literature, the first endowed position at an American university designated for a female professor, occupied by Catharine Merrill, only the second female university professor in the country. Renamed Butler University in 1877, the institution honored its visionary founder and continued to build on his legacy of forward-thinking leadership.

Over the decades, Butler expanded its academic breadth through strategic mergers and the establishment of new colleges. It integrated the Teachers College of Indianapolis, the Indianapolis College of Pharmacy, and the Arthur Jordan Conservatory of Music, creating robust programs in education, pharmacy and health sciences, and fine arts. The university also established its College of Business Administration, further diversifying its offerings and preparing students for a wide array of professional paths.

Today, Butler University continues to uphold its founding principles of intellectual curiosity, inclusivity, and service. Prospective students and families will find a vibrant institution with a rich history of innovation, providing a comprehensive education across its diverse colleges, all while fostering a supportive and engaging learning community rooted in its progressive origins.