- A Global Learning Experience: Gregor von Rohr’s Exchange Semester
Gregor von Rohr didn’t arrive at the Lacy School of Business looking for a pause in his academic journey. He came looking for a place where he could expand it.
Originally from Switzerland, Gregor studies political science with a strong business focus, moving between disciplines that rarely stay in separate lanes. His academic path has already taken him across institutions and borders, including the University of Zurich and an exchange semester at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., where he immersed himself in international relations and national security studies. Each experience added another layer to how he understands politics, economics, and the systems that connect them globally.
But it was at LSB where those layers began to actively intersect.
- A Competitive Spirit in All Aspects: Kate Parisi’s Ventures Into Entrepreneurship, Academia, and Athletics
In a world full of labels, it is easy to be boxed into one area of expertise. For Kate Parisi, her competitive drive does not allow for this. From a foray into the allergy-free food business through Lacy’s entrepreneurship program to competing on Butler’s club swim team, the finance and marketing double major is elevating her game on all levels.
- From the Tennis Court to the Courtroom: Christina Fugate’s ‘04 Journey From Student Athlete to Law Firm Partner
For some, the path from student-athlete and finance major to Juris Doctor to law firm partner may not seem obvious. But for Christina Fugate ’04, the connection between her education and legal career was always there. Now, a few decades into her career, she continues to give back to the Lacy School of Business while serving as partner at Ice Miller.
- Designed for the CPA and Beyond: Kitty Reddy ’25 on Her MPAcc Experience
For Kitty Reddy, accounting isn’t just about numbers – it’s about purpose.
When Kitty arrived at the Lacy School of Business from Peoria, Illinois, she wasn’t simply searching for a degree. She was looking for a place that would prepare her for the rigor of the CPA exams while helping her build a career aligned with the kind of impact she wanted to have. She found that foundation – and more – in Lacy’s Master of Professional Accounting (MPAcc) program.
“I knew I wanted to be fully prepared for the CPA exams,” Kitty says. “And this program really focuses on understanding, not just memorizing.”
- Building the Future of Small Business Ownership: Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition Conference
On Tuesday, March 10, the Lacy School of Business hosted the inaugural Indiana Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) Indy Conference, drawing over 350 entrepreneurs, operators, investors, advisors, lenders, and community partners from across Indiana and the broader Midwest. With 40 speakers and two tracks of programming running from morning through evening, the event marked a milestone…
Read more: Building the Future of Small Business Ownership: Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition Conference
- Building Indiana’s Next Generation of Innovators: First Collegiate Entrepreneurs Summit
On Friday, February 27, more than 250 students from 17 universities arrived at the 16 Tech Innovation District in Indianapolis for the inaugural Collegiate Entrepreneurs Summit, a statewide gathering created to bring student innovators together, spark new collaborations, and strengthen Indiana’s entrepreneurial network.
The summit was more than an event – it was the result of a multi-organization planning committee led by Butler University’s Lacy School of Business, 16 Tech, CICP, and INtercollegiate Entrepreneurs. For months, these four groups worked together to design a student-centered experience that could bring Indiana’s entrepreneurial community closer and create a truly statewide ecosystem.
What began as a simple idea among a small group of campus leaders grew into one of the largest student entrepreneurship events the state has hosted, marking a significant milestone for both Indiana’s innovation community and for LSB, which served as a co‑host, challenge partner, and event sponsor.
- From Student to Strategist to Professor: Sara Omohundro ’16 Comes Full Circle at LSB
A decade after graduating from the Lacy School of Business, Sara Omohundro ’16 walks back into the same classrooms where she once sat as a student – only this time, she’s the one at the front of the room.
An accomplished investor, nonprofit leader, and mentor, Sara has returned to Butler University as an adjunct professor to teach Alternative Investments. For her, it’s more than a professional milestone; it’s a full-circle moment rooted in gratitude, growth, and a desire to open doors for the next generation.
- Finding Community in the Marketplace: Dr. Meredith Rhoads’ Journey into Marketing Research
Marketing began long before Dr. Meredith Rhoads ever declared it as a major – it began in her father’s small furniture store in West Frankfort, Illinois. As a child, she watched her dad build relationships, serve his community, and make decisions that affected real families.
“I had this front-row seat to what it means to run a business in a close-knit place,” the assistant professor of marketing recalled. “I didn’t know it then, but that shaped everything about how I view marketing.”
Drawn to both creativity and strategy, she pursued an undergraduate marketing degree at Southern Illinois University Carbondale and quickly fell in love with it. But her understanding of the field expanded dramatically during her MBA program, when she began working with faculty on a research project examining older consumers and their interactions with service providers.
