Butler University is home. I felt it even before accepting my role as the Dean of the College of Communication (CCOM) seven months ago. The campus is beautiful, and Indianapolis is the perfect backdrop for educational experiences and entertainment. But it is the authentic consistency of the hard-working people that makes this university, and specifically our college, so special.

It is energizing to work with our innovators, educators, researchers, advocates, analysts, citizens, and creators—all making impactful, positive contributions to the communities in which they reside. But even as I consider Indianapolis home base now, I have come to learn that the Bulldogs of Butler roam and succeed across the country.

After a brief trip to Los Angeles, it’s easy for me to recognize alumni star power, starting with former Trustee, Rick Cummings ’73. As president of radio programming since 2009, he is still impacting the global media landscape after more than 40 years at Emmis Communications. But he is far from the only CCOM leader making a mark in the City of Angels that I was fortunate to spend time with.

I met with Patricia Mays ’93 (Image above), now the Executive Editor of The Hollywood Reporter, whose dedication to her alma mater is evident in her work on the CCOM Dean’s Advisory Board.  I had dinner with fellow DAB member, Sharon Everitt ’98, an accomplished director who wants nothing more than to provide a unique experiential opportunity to CCOM students interested in film.  I felt the passion of Brendon Holl ’15, Meredith Burns ’15, and Amy Ulrich ’98 who followed their hearts into the entertainment industry with the confidence only a CCOM Butler degree can provide.  And I watched each of them take five current undergraduate CCOM students under their wing.

Ava Turner ’24, Logan Leve ’25, Elizabeth Dixon ’25, Maddy Campbell ’26, and Katerina Anderson ’25 are spending this summer in LA and putting their foundational education into practice—taking classes and working on an internship in the Entertainment Capital of the world.  They spend nine invaluable weeks working and learning at Preach Records, Bang Zoom Studios, Studio City Sound, East West Studios, and Maison Privee PR.  And thanks to the generosity of Grammy Museum president, Michael Sticka, they also experienced the Shakira exhibit at the Grammy Museum!  It’s a trip they will remember long after they collect their degree in Clowes Memorial Hall.

Immersive trips like this also require planning and passion above the norm. The dedication of Cutler Armstrong ’99, MS ’03, CCOM Senior Lecturer in Music Industry Studies, needs to be recognized—even if we know he does it for the good of others.  Cutler works hard to make this summer experience both educational and special for each of the students.  He is a testament to the quality of faculty I have only just come to recognize at Butler.  As I flew back from The Golden State, I felt that thanks to Butler, “Indy Rocked it in LA.” And I intend to make it possible for more students to participate in special experiences like those this summer surrounded by the Hollywood Hills.