Experiential Learning – CCOM Pawprints

CCOM ’25-’26: A Trio of Treks (DEN/NYC/CHI)

May 12, 2026 butlerccom

This is a guest blog post by student leader, Landen Nelson ’28, a Sports Media major in the College of Communication. Landen is a Strategic Communication minor, and an active contributor to the Butler Institute for Sports and Entertainment, Butler Sports Live, and was a CCOM Content Marketing Producer Intern for the entire 2025-2026 school year. He also loves the music of Michael Jackson and Bily Joel. Thank you, Landen!

Landen Nelson '28 at the Big East job fair at Madison Square Garden in NYC. — *Landen Nelson ’28 talks to a student from another Big East university during the Big East Job Fair at Madison Square Garden.*

During the college commitment process, I never thought attending Butler would be a possibility. I applied just to see what would happen and never really looked much into Butler after that. A few months went by, and it’s a random Friday in May. I had already enrolled at another university, and I thought the whole college decision process was over until I came home from work and there was a financial aid packet that said Butler University. From that moment on, I knew I was going to be a Bulldog.

My favorite part of attending Butler University is the experiential learning opportunities. I enjoy visiting new places, creating connections, and building relationships. I didn’t know ahead of time that Butler offers these TREK opportunities, but I am sure glad they do because they provide commuter students like myself the chance to spend more time with friends than on an average week in school. It’s difficult at times finding that college experience human connection throughout the week when you are working, managing classes and homework, and trying to take the pressure off a single parent. The three experiential learning Treks I took part in this year helped me build relationships and enhance my college experience.

*Landen Nelson ’28, classmates, and mentors at Madison Square Garden, CBS Studios (NYC), Red Rocks, and in the Chicago Bears locker room at Soldier Field.*

In November, the Denver Trek, focused on strategic communication, introduced me to a new group of classmates that I could refer to as friends while learning about a variety of professional paths. The journey for each day began with jamming to music in our van with Prof. Bob Shultz, lovingly referred to as “PBS,” as we drove from one location to the next. Visiting Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre was the highlight for a music fan like myself as we all walked through the backstage tunnel to reach the historic seating grounds. Thank you to Butler alumna Ramonna Robinson ‘93, founding partner of GFM|CenterTable, for making our trip possible and for being the greatest host, especially when visiting her marketing agency offices.

The recap video of our CCOM Denver Trek focused on strategic communication.

In March I experienced the “Madness” while in Manhattan. Being a Bulldog, one thing that is ingrained into our school spirit is the love of Butler basketball. I took part in the New York City Trek (Big East MBB Tournament) for the second year in a row. I cannot believe I watched Thad Matta’s last game as a head coach. The Bulldogs might not have won on the court, but there were Bulldogs bringing home the win off the court. We attended the Big East Job Fair at Madison Square Garden where we connected with representatives from ESPN, the New York Yankees, the WNBA, the Dallas Mavericks, and so many more. I somehow found myself being a mentor to a few Creighton University students during the event. I told them that just being here is a great start and it shows they have the desire to achieve a successful career. I may be a Bulldog, but I love my Creighton folks. I guess go Blue Jays and Dawgs! Visiting CBS Studios during their live halftime show broadcasts was also amazing. I plan to be behind that desk one day!

Brock Danahey ’26, White Sox radio play-by-play announcer Len Kasper, Ian Van Every ’26, Landen Nelson ’28, and White Sox color radio analyst Darrin Jackson in the ESPN 1000 AM radio booth at Rate Field in Chicago.

The final experimental learning opportunity of the 2025-26 school year was the CCOM Chicago Trek led by TV personality and Butler alum Corey McPherrin ’77. It was a phenomenal opportunity, as part of a class, visiting the Chicago White Sox and shadowing radio play-by-play broadcaster Len Kasper. In addition to this we visited the Ben Ten Network, hosted by Content Coordinator Bella Riggione ‘23 about her career journey. Then we took a behind the scenes tour of Soldier Field visiting the Bears locker room and stepping on the field of one of the most historic stadiums in the world. To end the trek we visited FOX 32 Chicago to watch a live newscast and receive career advice from their wonderful staff.

These trek opportunities have provided me with lifetime memories, great relationships, and more confidence to make connections outside of the Indianapolis area!

Take care and Go Dawgs,

Congratulations, Prof. Ann Bilodeau!

May 11, 2026 butlerccom

Butler SLHS visited the statehouse to lobby with the Indiana Speech Language Hearing Association. Junior students (L to R) Logan Henry, Ruby Ruhl, Alyson Rentschler, Prof. Ann Bilodeau, and Lauren Thomas joined Rep. Chris Campbell (middle), not only a state representative but an audiologist, for a photo in the House of Representatives.

The role of a faculty member is a lot like that of a parent. Once a student arrives on campus—having relocated from their childhood nest—the university faculty and staff embrace their role as mentor, supporter, teacher, and guide. They help students navigate everything from classroom challenges to roommate conflicts, and from learning how to manage multiple clubs and commitments to preparing to enter the workforce as a professional. In the College of Communication Professor Ann Bilodeau has embraced, embodied, and engaged students from this perspective for the last 14 years. And this spring we celebrate her commitment to Butler and its students as she retires and begins the next chapter of her life.

*On February 10, 2026, Prof. Ann Bilodeau and Prof. Bob Schultz (Strategic Communication) presented during Butler’s Spotlight on Excellence in Teaching and Learning.*

Ann’s contributions to Butler are many and varied, and not solely related to her home department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences where she has capably served as Clinic Director for the entirety of her time here. Never one to sit still, Ann has engineered numerous opportunities for students. Just this year, when most people retiring would dial it back, she designed and led our first ever SLHS Student Trek to Washington, DC. The genesis of that trip came from her dedication to advocacy for issues related to speech pathology and hearing—something she has repeatedly focused on through her Legislative Days with students and appointment to an Indiana State board concerned with those topics.

Perhaps most emblematic of how Ann is more than a professor is how she embraced being a Faculty-in-Residence on campus for the 4th floor of Irvington House. In this role she and her husband live on campus in one of our dormitories, serving as an advisor, mentor, and general support person as students transition to college life. One of her first activities to get to know the students in her building was an event with her cat, Oreo. “Oreos with Oreo,” was born and has been very popular with the students who missed their own pets and taught students without pets the joy of having a furry little friend. Ann’s enthusiasm for this role has been visible, and her love and care for the students in her charge has been deep.

*Prof. Ann Bilodeau giving back to her alma mater, Purdue University, during a special guest opportunity, working with students.*

Ann’s impact stretches to places people may not even know. She has been a constant presence at graduation, reading names for various colleges and serving as a marshall at the university commencement celebration. Ann loves Butler, loves her profession, and above all has loved her students like they were her own children and it has shown in all she has done. CCOM and Butler will miss seeing the gentle lamp light shining from her first floor office this fall, but the impression she has left here will not soon fade.

SLHS D.C. Trek

April 28, 2026 butlerccom

This is a guest blog post by student leader, Haylie Walker ’27, a Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences Major in the College of Communication and 2023 Washington County Lilly Endowment Scholar. Haylie is a Diverse Learners Minor (College of Education), a Butler Student Ambassador withh the Office of Admissions, Events Team Lead with the Butler Ambassadors for Special Olympics, and a member of the Butler National Student Speech Language Hearing Association. Thank you, Haylie!

*SLHS students and Prof. Ann Bilodeau at The National Portrait Gallery and on the steps of The Capitol, and views of The Washington Monument, the Reflecting Pool, and The Lincoln Memorial.*

As students, we are not meant to do our learning in one environment. Experiential learning is how we build connections, gain real-life experiences, and apply what we have learned in meaningful ways. This is exactly what we did on our inaugural Butler SLHS Trek to Washington D.C.

Arriving in D.C., we were excited and ready to explore! We packed a lot of experience into a few short days, and we hit the ground running (there is also a recap video below that shows you more of what I’m writing about).

Our first stop, the Planet Word museum was the perfect place to begin. Located in the historic Franklin School building, Planet Word brings language and literacy to life in their interactive exhibits. From singing karaoke together to learning new languages, we were reminded how powerful communication truly is. I especially appreciated that our trek allowed us to explore some of the unique sites in D.C. while allowing for visits to iconic monuments and time spent exploring the National Portrait Gallery as a group.

*Haylie Walker ’27 posing for an image outside her Representative’s office. SLHS students posing for an image outside of Indiana Congressman Andre Carson’s office.*

Day two was both busy and meaningful! After meeting with the advocacy team at American Speech-Language-and Hearing Association’s (ASHA) lobbyist offices, we headed to Capitol Hill to meet with representatives from Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan. We advocated for Speech Pathology and Audiology programs to be recognized as professional degrees, which would allow for better representation in our field and increased access to graduate school funding. Using my own voice to advocate for an issue that directly shapes my future was an incredibly powerful moment for me.

Our last day was spent touring Gallaudet University, a school for the deaf and hard of hearing. We were able to tour their Speech Pathology graduate program and learn about how students become immersed into their flourishing ASL community.

Watch the recap video the inaugural SLHS D.C. Trek.

Looking back, this trip was so much more than just a fun experience—it was a turning point for me. It showed me that the issues we talk about in class are real, and that students like me have a place in those conversations. I left D.C. realizing that change is possible, and that it starts with being willing to step up, speak out, and believe that my voice can make a difference.

Butler University “Founder’s Week” 2026

February 4, 2026 butlerccom

Mission statements grow out of a university’s founding, and they articulate the purpose, goals, and values that guide the institution in its educational and community-facing efforts. While also kicking off the celebration of Black History Month across campus (please read Black History Month on campus by Elliot Z. Muehlhausen ’28, The Collegian Staff Reporter and journalism major), the first full week of February is when Butler University recognizes “Founder’s Week,” an event marking the importance of its mission and the man who set the university on its course, Ovid Butler.

Butler’s vision was for a university that provided educational opportunities for all, regardless of gender, race, or circumstance. This drove his approach—and it is the soul of the institution.

This year, CCOM assistant professor of Film and Media Production (updating its name from Creative Media and Entertainment starting in Fall 2026), Assistant Professor Eric Hahn, and his students in our student-run media production organization, BlueRoll Media, created a short film celebrating both Ovid Butler and his mission that embodies Butler University to this day. It’s a terrific video, and I encourage you to watch it, not just to learn more about the university, but to also see what amazing work our faculty and students do in CCOM.

Butler’s mission animates this campus, its faculty, students, alumni and community, and our students helped capture and share the story through their short film.

*Assistant Professor Eric Hahn working with students in CCOM’s television broadcast studio.*

Although this week will feature fun activities, like Trivia Night and the College Cup competition, for me the central component is the Founder’s Awards, where individuals, campus organizations, and community partners are recognized for their work in advancing Ovid Butler’s mission. It’s a special night that shows off the core of what “The Butler Way” is—a university credo and promise to work hard, born originally from the men’s basketball program but adopted by the entire campus, to provide access and opportunity for all.

This Founder’s Week, we celebrate our mission, but never lose sight of the fact it is a work in progress, and something we strive towards everyday. Thank you for the part you play in this important work and opportunity.

A Steady Stream of Proven Talent: Inside five fountains

January 14, 2026 butlerccom

Every semester, I find myself inspired all over again by the creativity and commitment of the students who choose to step into five fountains, our College of Communication’s student-run strategic communication agency. As faculty advisor for the past five years, I have a front-row seat to watch these leaders transform classroom learning into real strategic work that serves clients in need and builds professional confidence.

At its core, five fountains is a living laboratory—and the lab is working. The agency celebrates its fifth anniversary this spring semester. Earning its name from the five working fountains on Butler’s campus, the agency is where theory meets practice and where students move beyond assignments to do real work for real organizations. Unlike class projects with hypothetical scenarios, our student agency teams tackle tangible challenges from nonprofit partners, community groups, and internal campus clients by shaping communication plans, crafting content, building brands and managing campaigns that matter.

One thing that makes five fountains special is how it mirrors the structures and processes of a professional agency. Students hold leadership and staff roles, serving as directors, managers, communication or creative specialists. These roles aren’t conferred lightly. They require project management, collaboration, and the kind of accountability that prepares students for their first jobs or internships. Members also take advantage of intentional professional agency visits around the Indianapolis-area to strengthen students’ internship and job networks.

From public relations and brand strategy to social media management and community outreach, five fountains members gain hands-on experience in areas that reflect the evolving demands of strategic communication fields. For example, the lower case five fountains is intentional and was part of the brand strategy developed for the agency by its founding student members. And the work speaks for itself. Past clients have praised the professionalism, organization, and quality of deliverables that students produce, often exceeding expectations for student work.

*Mini-golf flag from five fountains activation for CCOM’s Day of Giving 2023.*

But the value goes well beyond portfolio pieces (though those are important). What I see time and again is students growing in confidence, learning to lead meetings, respond creatively under pressure and collaborate across teams with empathy and strategic insight. They learn how to apply frameworks like ROPE (Research, Objectives, Programming, Evaluation) not just on paper but in practice, closing the gap between classroom learning and professional performance.

One of my favorite moments each semester is hearing students reflect on what they’re most proud of from the semester. They surprise themselves with how quickly they can adapt to new clients (and each other), how thoughtfully they can solve problems and how confidently they can articulate strategic decisions in client presentations. I’m reminded that five fountains doesn’t just build skills, it nurtures communicators who are ready to lead with integrity and creativity in an ever-changing profession.

*five fountains Fall ’25 clients who are Butler alumni.*

I’m proud of our students and grateful for the faculty, alumni and community partners who support this program. five fountains is one of the many ways the College of Communication prepares our students not just to enter the world of strategic communication, but to redefine it with human curiosity, professional creativity and proven skill before they even graduate. Learn more about five fountains and the incredible impact of our student leaders at www.fivefountainsbu.com.

Butler’s CCOM Pawprints in Denver

November 24, 2025 butlerccom

Denver Dawgs has a nice ring to it—and even more so after the inaugural CCOM Trek was such a positive experience for students, faculty, active alumni, and leaders in the strategic communication and marketing community in the Mile High City.

13 experiential learners representing a variety of CCOM majors earned one-credit towards graduation, but more-importantly soaked in real-world insights heard directly from communication leaders—in their own offices—during this intensive industry immersion that maneuvered from board rooms to sound boards to cutting boards.

Ramonna Robinson ‘93 is an international leader in public relations and strategic communication, as well as an active civic leader in Denver, who stepped up to make sure Butler students could expand their Trek opportunities to a new city.

*Ramonna Robinson ’93 explaining aspects of Red Rocks Amphitheatre to CCOM Dean Joe Valenzano.*

She partnered with Professor Bob Schultz, a civic leader for Indy who also champions experiential learning and providing opportunities to our CCOM students studying strategic communication, sports media, music industry studies, journalism, organizational communication & leadership, and creative media and entertainment—and each major had at least one moment in the sun during the journey.

The pair, over the course of several months, laid out an itinerary that emphasized an intensive industry experience. Here’s a quick rundown of the two action-packed days helmed by Ramonna and Bob (be sure to watch the embedded video above for a deeper-dive into the energy and experience):

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6

City and County of Denver (Wellington E. Webb Municipal Office Building)

Students met and interacted with the Mayor’s Deputy Communications Director, Jose Salas, and the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment Director of Marketing and Communication, Emily Williams.

Dispatch Health

Butler alumna Ashley Henson ’07, VP of communication and marketing for Dispatch Health, provided the students a tour of the facility, answered their questions about her career path, education, and current responsibilities. Additionally, Ashley shared her story about working as interim head of communications for Dow Jones, when Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovitch was held by Russian authorities. Her professionalism and attention to detail prepared her to manage the crisis communication during the initial months of his ordeal.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7

Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater

Brian Kitts, chief marketing and business development officer – Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Denver Performing Arts Complex-City of Denver, and Josh Lenz, director of marketing at Denver Arts & Venues, regaled us with stories about famous entertainers and what makes the outdoor concert venue so special. We received a full tour of the facility, learned about its unique history, and even got to explore the backstage/underground area. Side note: The walk from the stage to the top of the stairs is brutal, well, maybe more for me than the students!

GFM/Center Table

GFM|CenterTable is Ramonna’s downtown Denver strategic communication firm. We entered through an unassuming exterior only to walk into a hip, welcoming, collaborative space. She introduced us to four of her team members: Jeremy Story, Kathleen Deal, John Woods, and Sarah Wool, who tackled everything from creating content to full strategic planning for their clients. One of the most enlightening parts of this visit was learning how they engage with artificial intelligence in their work helping clients build brands and messaging in an optimized process.

Olive & Finch Collective

*The exterior of the Olive & Finch Union Station location.*

Lunch was a meeting too! It included a conversation with Mary Nguyen, the founder and president of Olive & Finch Collective, and Britt Diehl, senior director of external affairs and marketing and communication for Downtown Denver. Britt talked about the revitalization of the downtown area, while Mary told her amazing story of becoming the first ever female sushi chef in North America while overcoming traditional myths that prevented women from entering into the craft. It was special to hear how they partner to help promote one another and all of downtown Denver.

Humane Colorado

I’m not sure Blue IV is up for a roommate, but we had the opportunity to “interview” some furry and friendly candidates at Humane Colorado. This enormous operation provided students with a glimpse into the strategic communication work of a non-profit entity driven by mission. Kelly Bell, VP of marketing and communications, and Alyssa Putzer, communications and media relations manager, not only gave a tour of the facility, but also explained what goes into their work in terms of mixing awareness messaging with critical fundraising messaging (and the amazing work and contributions of dedicated volunteers).

The Pig and The Sprout

The tour culminated at an evening reception with Denver-area Butler alumni at The Pig and The Sprout restaurant. Students had a chance to network with our great Denver Bulldog community. After an exciting yet exhausting 48 hours—and I was still catching my breath from Red Rocks!—our students embodied “The Butler Way” of determination, kindness, and hard work.

(From left) Braden Corry ’26 and Riley Kim ’28 at Red Rocks, Ross Hollebon, associate director of marketing for CCOM, and Reese Paradowski ’26 at the City and County of Denver offices, and McKenna Curless ’27 taking a group selfie in the van.

As we head into the Thanksgiving holiday, I would be remiss if I did not express my profound gratitude for Ramonna and all of her friends who made this inaugural Denver Trek a spectacular success. It’s a great reminder of the power of Dawgs helping Dawgs, and how supportive our alumni and their communities are of our current students. Everyone went the extra mile for sure!

Building the Future of Women in Sports Media at Butler

November 13, 2025 butlerccom

*B-AWSM executive board. From left to right: Kayla Wright, Reilly Bryon, Julia Veres, Ella McGrath, Kamile Wilson, Gaby Whisler, and April Kirts.*

Welcome to a special guest post by Dr. Cynthia Chen, an Assistant Professor of Sports Media in the College of Communication (CCOM) focused on Women in Sports Media .

The efforts explained below are inspired by the national organization of Association for Women in Sports Media (AWSM). This fledgling student group plans to apply for and earn the opportunity to become an official chapter in the future. To prepare for that application, the group is currently registering as a student organization at Butler and developing programming that aligns with AWSM’s mission and values.

The Origin Story: B-AWSM (Be Awesome)

I started teaching at Butler during the pandemic. As a new professor, I expected challenges but one thing, at times, caught me off guard—I was the only woman in the classroom. The number of women studying sports media, and interested in working in sports, continues to grow at Butler, but it didn’t start that way.

At the time, it made sense, statistically, that sports media would attract more male students but I didn’t fully grasp the gender gap until this experience. Because of social distancing, students signed up for smaller groups and chose specific lecture days for discussion. As a result, I was often the only woman present. And when I wasn’t, there still were only two or three women total.

As I got to know our students better, more women shared their experiences and a common theme emerged: they needed a community.

That’s why we started B-AWSM (Butler’s Association for Women in Sports Media). The club successfully launched this fall, attracting 41 students within just two months, with nine elected to the executive board. The rapid growth proved that the demand was real—female students wanted a space to connect, support one another, and grow together.

The Right Time & The Right Place

*From left: Cybill Stillson ’26, Jia Skrudland ’26, Eva Hallman ’26, and Gaby Whisler ’26 during some of their sports internships.*

B-AWSM’s launch couldn’t be more perfectly timed. Women’s sports are experiencing unprecedented growth in viewership records, and athletes like Caitlin Clark, of the local Indiana Fever WNBA franchise, are becoming household names. Indianapolis has positioned itself to become the capital of women’s sports, and Butler, with the newly minted Butler Institute for Sports & Entertainment (BISE), sits right in the middle of it all.

Indy’s sports organizations, including the Fever, Indianapolis Colts, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indy Eleven, NCAA, Indiana Pacers, and more, offer incredible opportunities for students ready to gain real-world experience. Some examples of this with current seniors include:

Eva Hallman ’26 is the first woman broadcaster for the Indy Fuel. Cybil Stillson ’26 was one of only four interns selected from approximately 2,500 applicants for Football Operations with the Colts. Jia Skrudland ’26 and Gaby Whisler ’26 secured internships at Big Ten Network and the Chicago Cubs, further exploring different career paths.

Their advice? “Take advantage of Indianapolis. The opportunities are right here.”

Trailblazing Alumni

*From left: Alumni Marisa Guisti ’23 (Account Executive, Ticket Sales; Milwaukee Bucks) and Kelly Hallinan ’21 (Sports Anchor/Reporter, NBC 26 – Green Bay) at work.*

Butler graduates are already making their mark in the sports industry — paving the way for future B-AWSM members to follow. Some of these alum include:

Sarah Myer ’06, Chief of Staff & Strategy, Indiana Sports Corp
Patricia Mays ’93, Instructor, Quinnipiac University; Former Executive Leader at The Hollywood Reporter, ESPN and The Associated Press
Olivia Kremer ’19, Associate Director of Event Marketing, Pacers Sports & Entertainment
Taylor Harmon ’21, Manager, Madison Square Garden Sports Corp
Kelly Hallinan ’21, Sports Reporter, NBC 26
Kennedy Broadwell ’21, In-Arena-Host, USTA Midwest
Marisa Guisti ’23, Account Executive, Milwaukee Bucks
Grace Worcester ’25, Mascot Social Media Coordinator, Indianapolis Colts

Looking Ahead

As the club grows, plans are underway for expanded programming that will offer social, educational, and professional development opportunities. Currently, we are planning a trip to Atlanta’s thriving sports media hub in the spring of 2026. We also aim to become an official chapter of AWSM, providing additional scholarships, internships, and networking opportunities for students. The goal isn’t just to support individual students—it’s to build a generation of women who are ready to lead and shape the future of the sports and sports media industries.

To our alumni: YOU are our inspiration, and B-AWSM will always be your home. To current and future students: YOUR community is waiting. B-AWSM is more than a resume line—it’s proof that you don’t have to navigate this path alone.

CCOM Launches the 2025-2026 Academic Year

September 8, 2025 butlerccom

“This is a new year. A new beginning. And things will change.” – Taylor Swift

Last year our students served as ambassadors for Taylor Swift’s Era’s Tour stop in Indianapolis, which is why I feel like she and I are now good friends. So much so, her line from above struck a chord as the new academic year began here at Butler. Things will surely change, and many of those changes are exciting! “What are they?,” you might ask—well, let me tell you.

*Dean Joe Valenzano addressing the CCOM Class of 2029 on Academic Day.*

1,246. 96. 26.

No, that’s not an IP address. We have 1,246 new Butler first-year students this Fall—the third largest incoming class in school history. Of that group, we welcomed 96 to CCOM, and that number will surely grow over the coming weeks and months as students realize what they are missing out on. On top of that, our inaugural MS in Sports Management cohort consists of a robust 26 students. There is nothing like welcoming new students to campus at the start of the year.

*Katie Coby, CCOM’s first professional advisor and student success coordinator.*

New Faces in Fairbanks Center

In addition to the new students, we also welcome some amazing new faculty and staff to CCOM. In the Pulliam School of Journalism and Creative Media we welcome Professor Kiersten Houser and Professor Peter Matsoukas, both of whom will be teaching our budding filmmakers. In the Department of Communication and Leadership, Professor Todd Logan now oversees our undergraduate online degree completer program, known as BSOL (Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership for students who have earned an associate’s degree). Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences welcomes Dr. Jenna Voss who will be building out the MA in Deaf Education program. Finally, the College added a new staff position, a Professional Advisor and Student Success Coordinator, Katie Coby, who will help our first and second year students navigate the start of their college careers.

“Oh, the Places You’ll Go”

Pardon my channeling the late, great Dr. Theodore Geisel (Dr. Seuss), but we are off to so many places this year. In the fall, our Department of Communication and Leadership students will take part in our first industry immersive trek to Denver. In the spring, we will have similar trips to New York and Chicago. During Spring Break, Professor Bob Schultz (PBS) will run part deux of his Mediterranean Cruise class, and in the summer, Professor Cutler Armstrong will again accompany students on our Butler in LA program. This says nothing about our tremendous study abroad opportunities available in the spring.

*Chris Rose, professional broadcaster and content creator, who will serve as the inaugural Sports Media Residency professional within CCOM.*

And oh, the people we will see.

This year CCOM will hold our inaugural Sports Media Residency with sportscaster extraordinaire, Chris Rose. He will spend a few days on campus to guest lecture in classes, hold workshops, and mentor students. This program will benefit numerous students in the College with hands-on professional training from one of the elite industry talents in the game.

The beginning of the year is always filled with hope, excitement and joy—and this year is no different. At this point, I shouldn’t be amazed at how many first-year students immediately sought out faculty and staff to learn how they could get involved right away. With everything we have going on, there is no doubt in my mind they will find a way. In fact, I bet they already have.

There’s no magic quite like that found at the start of the academic year.

Dean Valenzano’s 2025 CCOM Top 10

May 14, 2025 butlerccom

The academic year can be intense for faculty, staff and students, and so it’s reasonable that there is a lot of pent up energy and emotion this time of year. Honestly, its what makes things like commencement, our annual Senior Dinner, and the start of summer so hopeful. But an event that has become something people look forward to in a way that surpasses even commencement is……my annual CCOM Top Ten List!

Without further ado, let’s get started on what is a difficult-to-determine tip of the excellence iceberg from this year in CCOM!

#10 – THE FIRST-EVER CCOM CARNIVAL: From the Elixir de Beans to a “Kiss(ing)” Booth, this year’s Day of Giving celebration in Fairbanks had something fun for everyone. It also continued CCOM’s recent record of leading the way in giving totals and giving by faculty and staff among all of Butler’s colleges.

#9 – MORE AND MORE STUDENT AWARDS: Our students continue to bring home the hardware. The Butler Collegian received Division II Newspaper of the Year for the second straight year from the Collegiate Press Association, as well as numerous other awards for stories and photos. Not to be outdone, our Speech and Debate Team also continued to win tournaments and once again placed at least one student at Nationals.

#8 – BLUE ROLL(ING): The student film production team, BlueRoll Media, took the campus by storm this year under the leadership of Dr. Eric Hahn, doing projects for the College of Liberal Arts, Indiana Sports Corps and more!

#7 – JUST TREKKING ALONG: In addition to another year of successful CCOM treks to Chicago and New York this spring, we also sent 17 students to the Music City, Nashville, TN, in the Fall under the watchful eye of Cutler Armstrong. This new trek served students from Strategic Communication and Music Industry Studies, among other majors.

#6 – A SWIFT EXPERIENCE: 70 students helped bring the North American leg of the historic Taylor Swift Eras Tour to a close here in Indianapolis back in November. This pop-up immersive industry experience saw our students helping thousands of visitors experience some Hoosier Hospitality through a class experience led by Professor Bob Schultz, whom the students affectionately call P.B.S. It was also great to see Butler with 70 students against……13 for a much larger institutional neighbor of ours. 😊

#5 – CCOM GOES CRUISIN’ WITH PBS: Professor Bob Schultz was back at it again in the Spring semester with CCOM’s very first Study Abroad Cruise. 23 students accompanied him on an MSC cruise of the Western Mediterranean, with stops in France, Italy, and Tunisia where students not only learned about hospitality in a variety of different settings, but organized tourism itineraries for each port they visited.

#4 – A NEW MASTER’S DEGREE: This Spring we announced the launch of a new graduate program, in collaboration with the Lacy School of Business and the Department of Athletics—an MS in Sports Management. This unique program builds on the strengths of Indianapolis (aka Sports Town, USA) and our faculty. It also is the first program at Butler where alumni receive a 20% discount on tuition—talk about a commitment to lifelong learning!

*Image from MA in Deaf Education page for Fontbonne University.*

#3 – MASTER’S DEGREE PART DEUX: CCOM also received initial approval to build another new Master’s degree, an MA in Deaf Education, modeled after the founding program at Fontbonne University which is closing this summer. More details are coming on this program as it is built, but it will be a graduate offering in our amazing SLHS Department when all is said and done. The best part? Fontbonne alumni, the deaf education community, and Butler friends and alumni all contributed to make this happen in just a seven week period.

#2 – FAIRBANK’S FANTASTIC FACULTY: Recently, I wrote about four faculty who received promotions this year, but that’s just a small sampling of the amazing work our faculty accomplished this academic year. In fact, to call out individual faculty, or list all the achievements, would not be possible without much more space than we have. It’s important to note, though, that in addition to their research, teaching, committee work, and curricular innovations, they also are responsible for being dedicated advisors to our roughly 500 students.

*Family and friends of Bill Ney joined students, faculty, and staff in April to share stories about Mr. Ney and celebrate this anonymous gift.*

#1 – AN HONOR LIKE NO OTHER: This year saw the largest gift in CCOM’s history, in honor of a faculty member—William “Bill” Ney—who had such a monumental impact on Butler and CCOM as the founder of what is now the Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences Department. This gift will establish the William Ney Endowed Professorship in SLHS, while also creating an endowed scholarship for students in that field. This is also the very first endowed professorship in CCOM’s 15 years at Butler. Bill Ney’s legacy will never be forgotten, and will always be cherished by faculty and students alike.

There is much more we could celebrate, like the 80 for 80 campaign, our redesign of Butler Bound into a Game Show, or student scholarship on display throughout both semesters, which made this list so hard to create. But don’t just take my word for it. Listen to four of our students—including two May graduates—share their thoughts about CCOM and their Bulldog experience (listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify).

It’s yet another year where CCOM has shown why it is the best college of communication around! I am so proud and humbled to be a part of this community and cannot wait to see what 2025-2026 brings—in the meantime, let’s celebrate our seniors on their graduation. It’s well earned.

The S.S. PBS

April 5, 2025 butlerccom

Creativity and nimbleness are hallmarks at Butler and especially within the College of Communication. Utilizing his skills at activating ideas, Professor Bob Schultz, known affectionately as PBS by many of his students, is a leader in many of the recent unique experiential opportunities of note (including NBA All-Star Weekend and Taylor Swift Street Teams with Visit Indy). But Spring Break 2025, and his STR 426 course: Tourism and Hospitality Communication and Cultural Immersion, elevated Bob to “Captain” for 12 days during a Mediterranean Cruise with 23 students.

One of these students was Madison Masek ’25 who will be graduating with a degree in strategic communication in May. Similar to when I’m hosting a tour with perspective students and their parents/guardians, there are times I’m thrilled to let the authenticity of a current student’s voice and experience sweep the audience off their feet—and here I’m doing that with part of Madison’s LinkedIn post about our excursion (please read her entire post too).

*“Dress up” night on the cruise for dinner.*

“I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible opportunity I had studying abroad with the Butler University College of Communication!” wrote Madison. “Over ten days, 22 Butler students and I traveled the Mediterranean coasts of Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa, Naples (Pompeii), Palermo, and Tunisia. We explored the tourism and hospitality industries while immersing ourselves in six different cultures.

One of the most eye-opening aspects of the course was analyzing modes of transportation in tourism. From international flights to public transit and a cruise ship, we explored how each method shapes the traveler experience and plays a role in destination marketing. Beyond transportation, we examined tourism industries through the lens of public relations, advertising, destination promotion, sustainability, and consumer relations.”

Class in the streets of Palermo.

There was analyzing and navigating—be it weather, transportation, remembering what floor on the MSC Fantasia cruise ship everyone was meeting on for our evening pre-dinner class discussion, or if WhatsApp or texting was the most efficient way to communicate with the group at any given moment.

The students learned. Bob, his wife Diane, and I learned. All from each other, constantly. The entire group bonded as we overcame obstacles, lifted one another, and port-by-port, celebrated a once in a lifetime journey together. This was something of a going away present for the seniors, while at the same time providing the highest of bars for the first-year students. But it’s safe to say everyone had fun.

Bulldogs at the playground in Barcelona – per my request.

I have the pleasure of working with Butler students in some capacity almost every single day, and consider myself fortunate for that. But this trip was so much more. As an extended family unit over multiple days I saw even more examples of why these young adults are the leaders, dreamers, doers, and critical thinkers of today and the future.

I owe a “thank you” to Captain PBS, CCOM Dean Joe Valenzano, the Study Abroad office at Butler for allowing me to be part of this trip. More importantly, I owe a HUGE debt of gratitude to each of the amazing 23 students who let me be a small part of their experience and who shared their enthusiasm for life, travel, and meaningful friendship.

Ross Hollebon – Marketing & Recruitment Manager, CCOM

Casa Batlló by Gaudi in Barcelona—just because. 😉