Category: Student Stories

When Manolo Ferreres first stepped onto Butler’s campus, he carried more than a suitcase and a soccer ball – he carried a dream.

Growing up in Deltebre, Catalonia, Spain, he had already built a life steeped in discipline and ambition, balancing his studies in economics with his passion for soccer. Moving to the United States meant stepping into a world that was entirely new: a different culture, different people, and new expectations. “At the beginning, it was kind of difficult,” he recalled. “Everything was new. But over time, people here made it easier. The professors, the classmates – they were always willing to help and guide me.”

Choosing the Lacy School of Business wasn’t just about academics. For the senior economics major, Butler offered the chance to grow as a student, as an athlete, and as a future professional. “I saw the opportunity to step up my career,” he said. “To combine my studies in economics with soccer, while learning in an environment that pushed me to be my best.”

Manolo’s journey was shaped not only by those around him but also by the international perspective he brought to campus. Adapting to a new country meant embracing change while staying connected to his roots. “I realized it was important to bring your own knowledge, keep your mind sharp, and adapt to your environment,” the center-back said.

This mindset translated seamlessly to his entrepreneurial work with ESUS Soccer Company, an international company he co-founded while still a student. The company’s mission is to open doors for international players, helping them secure U.S. college soccer scholarships while combining athletic excellence with academic achievement. Through ESUS, Manolo connects young athletes with top NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA programs, matching them with opportunities that align with their skills, ambitions, and long-term goals.

“It’s about more than soccer,” he explained. “We’re helping players grow as athletes, students, and people. They improve their game, earn a degree, and experience a new culture. It’s a chance to reach their full potential on and off the field.”

ESUS also provides an elite program in Spain, where players train and compete with professional and semi-professional clubs over a 10-month season, participating in more than 35 official matches and training multiple times per week.

Recently, the company acquired an international tournament in Manolo’s hometown, giving players from around the world the chance to compete and connect within the Spanish soccer culture. “We’re creating opportunities for players to grow, to learn, and to succeed,” he said. “It’s about helping them find their path, just like Butler helped me find mine.”

The lessons Manolo has learned at LSB have been instrumental in building his business. Classes focused on communication, presentations, and practical problem-solving have helped him refine his English, convey ideas clearly, and sell his vision to others.

Balancing rigorous coursework, soccer, and entrepreneurship requires discipline and focus, but Manolo thrives on it. His days are meticulously planned, from early morning soccer practice to classes, then to managing ESUS, and finally evening study sessions. “It’s a lot, but every moment counts. You learn to focus on what’s in front of you and give it your best.”

Despite his busy schedule, Manolo finds balance through music and creativity. He writes and performs songs, plays guitar, and enjoys spending time with friends – activities that recharge him and spark new ideas. These moments of personal expression mirror the creativity he brings to both his studies and his business endeavors.

Manolo’s journey at LSB and with ESUS illustrates a powerful truth: growth happens at the intersection of challenge, curiosity, and action. He encourages others to take risks, follow their ambitions, and embrace the unknown.

“If you have an idea or a dream, you have to take the leap,” he said. “Start, learning along the way, and keep improving. You’ll never know what you can achieve until you try.”

When Carly Pitts arrived at the Lacy School of Business (LSB) in August 2023, she didn’t have a clear vision for her career – just a strong desire to learn, grow, and find the right fit. “I wanted to go somewhere that was the perfect size and somewhere decently away from home,” the Minnesota native laughed. “I was looking for a good business school and everyone around me kept saying LSB was one of the best.”

What sealed the deal was LSB’s hands-on approach. Carly was especially intrigued by the Real Business Experience (RBE), a program that has sophomore students start and run a business from scratch. Her RBE company, Butler Chew, created and sold dog toys. Those first steps in running a business taught her more than just marketing skills – they taught her how to take initiative, collaborate with a team, and see a project through from idea to execution.

“It’s one thing to learn about business in class, but it’s another to actually build one from the ground up,” the Marketing and Economics student said. “And I loved that we had to complete two internships. It guaranteed I’d get real experience before graduating.”

Her curiosity for marketing, though, had begun in high school, through classes and DECA competitions. But it wasn’t until she took Principles of Microeconomics with Dr. Whitney Bross that she discovered a complementary passion.

“Economics tied into my analytical brain and complemented marketing really well,” the senior said.

This combination of marketing and economics would shape the kind of professional – and person – she wanted to become, guiding the choices she made during internships and beyond.

In May 2024, Carly began her Digital Marketing internship with Banner Engineering, an automation company that designs sensors to help machines streamline processes. Although she didn’t know much about the industry, her brother had once interned there, and her father built part of his career with the organization – making it a natural fit.

She dove into digital marketing, handling competitive research and analytics, including a 12-company competitive analysis that became the centerpiece of her internship. “I learned how to work in an office, lead meetings, and present findings to senior leaders. I also discovered that I love research and analytics – but maybe not sitting in a cubicle all day,” she admitted with a laugh. Banner gave her a solid foundation in professional discipline and strategy, but it also made her think: what did it mean to use these skills in a way that truly mattered to her?

That question followed her overseas, where she returned to GO Ministries in the Dominican Republic – a place that had first captured her heart during a summer trip. GO Ministries empowers local leaders through Church Planting, Medical, and Sports initiatives, supporting communities with mentorship, ministries, mobile clinics, and sports programs that develop the next generation of leaders.

When the opportunity arose to intern with them in July 2024, she didn’t hesitate. She spent five weeks initially and then returned for a 12-week internship in the summer of 2025, focusing on storytelling, donor engagement, and volunteer marketing

 “Nonprofit marketing is really different,” she explained. “You’re not marketing a product – you’re marketing a purpose. You’re telling stories that inspire people to give, serve, and be part of something bigger.”

In this role, Carly found a place where her professional skills could serve a bigger mission, and her heart could fully engage.

By fall 2025, Carly made a decision that would define the next chapter of her journey: she accepted a full-time role with GO Ministries, headquartered in Louisville, as Coordinator of Media Marketing, beginning right after graduation.

“I loved my time at Banner – it taught me so much – but I realized I needed to be a little uncomfortable to stay interested,” she said. “With GO, I found something I’m passionate about. If you love your work, you’re not really working.”

In this role, she’ll manage social media accounts, share stories from local and international teams, and even launch a podcast – all while traveling regularly to the Dominican Republic.

Looking back, Carly credits LSB with preparing her for both corporate and nonprofit worlds.

“I didn’t expect my Digital Marketing class with Dr. Chi Zhang to help inform my life trajectory as much as it did,” she said. “We partnered with a nonprofit called COIN and created social media campaigns for them. That project helped me understand nonprofit marketing before I even interned abroad.”

That combination of classroom learning, hands-on experience, and real-world exploration gave Carly the confidence to chart her own path – one that connects business with purpose.

When asked what advice she’d give other students still figuring out their paths, her answer was clear:

“Take the risky internship – the nontraditional one. College is the time to experiment and try something different. You’ll learn what you like and what you don’t, and that’s just as valuable.”

And if she could talk to her first-year self? “Don’t worry so much,” she said. “If you get involved and try new things, you’ll figure it out. It takes time, but it all works out the way it’s supposed to.”

Stepping onto a college campus for the first time can feel intimidating – the unfamiliar buildings, the bustle of students, the sense of possibility all at once. But for high school students attending Butler University’s BU: BeReal camp, those initial nerves can quickly transform into curiosity, excitement, and a chance to imagine themselves thriving in a future they might never have considered.

Zaiah Crites, a first-year Lacy School of Business (LSB) Finance major, remembers that feeling vividly.

BU: BeReal was her first-ever camp experience. Encouraged by her great-grandmother, who had spotted the camp’s call-out on Facebook, Zaiah decided to take a leap into the unknown. “It was kind of like speed dating – but for friends,” she laughs. “By the end of the week, we had created a family out of complete strangers.”

Supported by Lilly Endowment Inc. through its Indiana Youth Programs on Campus initiative, and developed in collaborations across the university, BU: BeReal included business- and leadership-focused programming shaped in part by LSB.

It gently eased Zaiah into college life – helping her adjust to dorm routines and navigate daily schedules. But the real magic came from the hands-on business experiences led by LSB faculty,  she got a taste of real college classes and even earned a college credit through LSB, giving her a tangible step toward higher education while building confidence and practical skills.

The first-generation college student got to see what it meant to build a business, explore marketing, and understand basic finance – all lessons that directly connected to what she’s learning now in her first-year business classes. “It was like a pre-prep for college coursework,” she says. The experience gave her both confidence and a sense of preparedness that few first-year students have, and it sparked a deeper curiosity about her potential in business.

Beyond academics, BU: BeReal emphasizes leadership, collaboration, and personal growth. Zaiah discovered a newfound self confidence, and she learned to communicate, work with others, and step into leadership roles in ways she hadn’t before. “I realized I could be a leader in situations,” she says, reflecting on the week’s impact.

Since its launch, BU: BeReal has more than tripled in size – growing from just over 60 students in 2023 to nearly 140 in 2025, with more than 325 participants so far.

Part of what makes the camp so transformative is its commitment to accessibility. Scholarships are offered to students from low-income backgrounds or those who will be first-generation college students, giving every camper the chance to experience life on Butler’s campus. For a full week, they live on campus and immerse themselves in both academic and co-curricular opportunities – building the skills and confidence to not just attend college, but thrive there.

For Jessica Stoltzfus, Director of Camps & Community Programs, the college immersion program is about more than just early exposure to business concepts – it’s about bringing those ideas to life. “High school students need to see what business and other industries look like in action,” she explains. “We want them to feel empowered to take risks, test ideas, and see themselves as capable leaders.”

That vision is echoed by Emily Hawk, Assistant Dean of Innovation and Lecturer in Entrepreneurship, who sees the camp as a turning point for many. Students often arrive unsure; unsure of what business really is, unsure if college is for them. By the end of the week, she says, something shifts. “It’s about creating a safe place for students to explore, fail, pivot, and ultimately discover their strengths.”

Zaiah is living proof of that shift. She describes the week as transformative – an experience that gave her not only practical skills but also a new sense of excitement for the journey ahead. “I’m starting from zero in my major, so I’m excited to grow, join clubs, network, and build a strong resume. The camp gave me a head start in understanding what it takes to succeed in business.”

Her advice to future campers is simple but powerful: “Put yourself out there, try new things, and go into it with an open mind.”

Registration for the 2026 summer session opens in December. The Lacy School of Business is committed to reaching students who may never have imagined college or a career in business, which is why BU: BeReal will expand to include a fully business-focused program in 2026. The pre-college program runs a full week, with intensive academic programming in the mornings and leadership, co-curricular, and extracurricular activities in the afternoons.

“Whether or not they choose Butler or the Lacy School of Business after high school is not the goal,” Hawk says. “The goal is to touch students’ lives in meaningful ways, helping them grow into confident, independent, and innovative leaders.”

To learn more about Bu: BeReal, click here.