Butler receives $9.4M gift from estate of Indianapolis insurance agent, wife

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Winstan “Bud” Sellick and his wife, Jacqueline, both of whom graduated from Butler University in the 1940s, have given the north-side college a $9.4 million gift.

The money, from their estate, will be shared among Butler athletics, the Lacy School of Business and general university support. In recognition of the gift, Butler is renaming the Butler Bowl, where the school's football and soccer teams play, the Bud and Jackie Sellick Bowl.

Bud Sellick launched his career as an Indianapolis insurance agent in 1947 and for decades served as president and owner of Bud Sellick Insurance Agency and the Blessing-Sellick Insurance Agency. He also was in the real estate business with his wife.

The couple were college sweethearts and were married 69 years. She died in 2012 at age 89, and he died in 2015 at age 93.

“The Sellicks had a tremendous concern for the well-being of future generations of Butler students,” Butler President James Danko said in a statement. “This generous gift will ensure Bud and Jackie’s wonderful legacy—that current and future Bulldogs will have access to the same great education and campus experiences that they enjoyed.”

The couple donated to Butler for more than a third of a century and endowed three scholarships.They also made gifts to several athletic funds, including the restoration of Hinkle Fieldhouse.

The Sellicks asked longtime friends Dan Yates and Bob Wildman, both attorneys with Bose McKinney & Evans, to assist with the transfer of the $9.4 million gift to Butler.

Wildman said in a statement that the Sellicks "were special people with a special place in their hearts for Butler.

"During their long history with the school, they saw it grow and prosper and I know they were quite happy and proud to be a part of its success. They would be extremely grateful to Butler for this recognition by the University of their generous gift.”

Bud, who received his degree from Butler in economics in 1947, was the son of an economics professor at the school.

This is the second huge gift Butler has announced in the last year. In April 2016, the school said it had received a $25 million gift from LDI Ltd. Chairman Andre Lacy and his wife, Julia.

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