D.C. Trek

Congratulations, Prof. Ann Bilodeau!

Congratulations, Prof. Ann Bilodeau!


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

SLHS D.C. Trek

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.