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.

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.