Butler University appoints interim dean for business school

Butler University has appointed an interim dean for the Andre B. Lacy School of Business after Steve Sandifird left the school to become president of Bradley University.

Hilary Buttrick, who has served as an associate dean in Butler University’s business school since January, has been given the interim role. Because of the pandemic, the school is not launching an immediate search for a new dean, but will launch a national search at a later time, a university spokeswoman said.

Buttrick has been at Butler for eight years as an assistant and then associate professor of business law. She also served as the chair of the department of economics, law and finance from June 2017 through June 2019, and as an interim associate dean between last July and December before being named associate dean in January.

“Hilary’s time as an associate dean has prepared her to lead LSB through an important transitional period,” Provost Kate Morris said in written comments. “She has been an excellent advocate for our students and faculty, for LSB, and for Butler. I look forward to seeing all she is able to accomplish as she steps into the role of Interim Dean.”

Sandifird in March accepted a job as Peoria, Illinois-based Bradley University’s president. His contract there begins next week.

He had served as dean of the school of business since 2014. Under his leadership, the university built the new $50 million business school building, which includes a stock trading room, where students can access live market data and a co-working space intended to bring business people an students together.

As associate dean, Buttrick worked with faculty to develop a revised faculty governance structure, led college-wide faculty development programming, and contributed to the school’s accreditation efforts, the school said. She also served on the Lacy School of Business strategic planning committee, President James Danko’s faculty advisory group, the business school’s undergraduate assurance of learning committee, and the business school’s undergraduate business analytics curricular innovation task force.

She is a member of the board of directors of Tindley Accelerated Schools.

Buttrick earned her bachelor’s degree from DePauw University in 1999 and her law degree at the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law in 2002.

“I am honored to serve the LSB in this interim capacity,” Buttrick said in written comments. “During my time at Butler, it has been a daily privilege to work with our students, faculty, and staff.  I look forward to continuing these relationships as we explore new ways to partner with the business community to deliver a world-class business education.”