Students Meet Donors

A favorite event of students and donors alike, the Reaching New Heights Scholarship Dinner brings together Butler Foundation scholarship donors and sponsors to meet with the students benefitting from their generosity.

“Students, I hope you really learn something today about how important the people sitting around you are to the continued success of you and future Butler students,” President Kim Krull told those in attendance.

1992 alumna Teresa Riffel, vice president of quality for Cirrus Aircraft in Minnesota, was the guest speaker for the event. Riffel spoke of the important role Butler played in her educational career when she started as a single mother and non-traditional student.

“Butler is like a family, with the most gracious and caring supporters,” Riffel said. “Thank you, Butler. You continue to inspire me to make a difference – not just in my career, but in everything I do. Students – you have the opportunity today to thank a generous donor who is investing in transforming your future.”

The stewardship event is intended to pair donors with the student receiving their scholarship, but sometimes that is not possible in instances where the donor is deceased. Members of the Foundation Board of Directors and Butler administrators fill in where possible to educate the students about their donor and the scholarship they received.

“It is incredible to see how many people appreciate the value and opportunity Butler provides to students and the region,” Scholarship Coordinator Averie Nelson said. “We are so fortunate to have generous benefactors who believe in our mission and help continue the tradition of our college.”

The Foundation will award nearly $1 million in scholarships this academic year (2018-2019).

Sponsors for the event were Professional Engineering Consultants, Cirrus Aircraft, Roberts Hutch-Line, Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital, Gravity::Works Architecture, Regier Carr & Monroe, LLC, and Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers.