Butler University President Jim Danko will embark on an inaugural tour to connect with alumni and promote the university.
Danko will make stops in New York, Florida, the Midwest and the West Coast.
The trip kicks off with a visit to the Indiana Historical Society on Feb. 15.
“I expect it will be an excellent way for me to continue to learn about Butler and to start building relationships with a critical group that provides support to Butler,” Danko said in an email.
In addition to building relationships with Butler graduates, Danko will also be sharing his vision for Butler’s future as president with alumni.
The president’s website outlines the trip’s details and visits over three months.
To Ben Wright, a Butler graduate who attained his bachelor’s degree in music performance last semester, the success of Danko’s tour depends on how the president expresses ideas for Butler’s improvement.
“I really do love this school,” Wright said. “I’m tired of hearing about all the good things. I know we can do great things, but if I’m giving money to this school, I want to know where we’re struggling and how my money can help.”
Danko said many of the cities will be visited in clusters or on strategic days, allowing him to spend time at the university and to be available to students.
“It’s never a bad thing for the president to raise awareness or help out Butler,” sophomore biology major Alex Henderson said. “Overall, I think it’s a good plan.”
Danko said that traveling is an important part of the job as university president and that he plans to continue traveling throughout the summer and fall.
Danko has also expressed his desire for a close connection with students—stressing the need for an open-forum atmosphere of discussion between faculty, students and administration. His trips will not take away from that, he said.
“I also remain firmly committed to my frequent meetings with students, faculty and staff here on campus,” Danko said in an email to faculty members. “This semester, I have decided to expand student-input opportunities by instituting a series of ‘town hall’ meetings.”
Because of this, Danko delayed his tour until the second semester after gaining a better understanding of the Butler community, he said.
The first of these meetings has been scheduled for Jan. 30.
