Butler University's CCC celebrates 20th anniversary

Butler University's Center for Citizenship and Community (CCC) will celebrate 20 years of achievement at 4 p.m. Nov. 30 in Jordan Hall.

The CCC was founded in 1996 with a grant from Eli Lilly & Co. The first director was political science professor Margaret Brabant. The center initially focused on civic engagement, including revitalization, fair-housing, and crime and safety.

“A lot of that work was valuable, and some portions didn’t fit Butler’s mission,” CCC Director Donald Braid told Butler Newsroom. “Over the years, we’ve learned which pieces really fit the university’s educational mission, which partnerships really are valuable reciprocally in supporting the education of our students and in supporting community issues, and we’ve focused on those things.”

The CCC has had a positive impact on Indianapolis, Butler University and students. Among its accomplishments is creating the Indianapolis Community Requirement (ICR). To fulfill the ICR, students must take one course that actively engages with the community.

The work done in ICR classes has benefited the city while helping students understand their role as part of the greater community. Last year, Butler students' time spent fulfilling the ICR was valued at approximately $600,000.

The CCC is involved in a variety of campus-community partnerships, including a research study that will use music to help Alzheimer's patients. It has sponsored several educational programs, as well.