Butler Names New Facility After Alumnus

(photo provided by Butler University)

Butler University will name one of its newest facilities after alumnus Bill Dugan and his wife, Joanne, in recognition of a $7 million multi-year gift. The funding will support the facility which houses the Lacy School of Business.

As a result of the gift, the facility will be named the Bill and Joanne Dugan Hall.

“I felt at home at Butler throughout my entire undergraduate career and I appreciate all that Butler gave to me. Giving back is The Butler Way and this seemed like the right thing to do. I hope the students who use this facility will be able to enjoy the same kind of blessings and successes that have been bestowed upon me through my Butler education,” Dugan said.

The university says Dugan, president and owner of Evansville-based Sign Crafters Inc., worked concessions at Hinkle Fieldhouse to help pay for his Butler education. 

“I am deeply grateful to Bill Dugan for this extraordinary investment in Butler University and our students,” Butler University President James Danko said. “Bill and Joanne have been pillars in their family and community, leading with integrity and investing quietly and generously over many years in the relationships and institutions they value, including Butler University. We are extremely proud to have the Dugan family name permanently recognized on our campus through this facility.”

The 110,000-square foot building was originally designed to house the Lacy School of Business, which gave the school six times more space than in its previous home, the Holcomb Building, which the university says is being repurposed as part of the $100 million Sciences Expansion and Renovation Project.

The building also houses the Butler Beyond Transformation Lab and the Office of Career and Professional Success.

Butler broke ground on the Bill and Joanne Dugan Hall in 2017 after a $25 million gift from Andre and Julia Lacy to name the business school. 

“The construction of this facility was a foundational step toward our long-term vision for Butler’s future, allowing us to maximize the space within our campus footprint to provide for the growth of academic programs and University initiatives that are aligned with Indiana’s workforce needs,” said Butler Board of Trustees Chair Keith Faller.  

Butler plans to host an official naming ceremony to honor the Dugan family on September 10 at Dugan Hall.