Karen Lake Buttrey was honored posthumously with the IUPUI Chancellor’s Medallion by Chancellor Charles R. Bantz at the 8th Annual Thomas H. Lake Lecture on March 24, 2011 for her philanthropic contributions. Her husband, Don Buttrey, accepted the award on her behalf.
Ms. Buttrey was actively involved in several nonprofit organizations: American Red Cross; Community Centers of Indianapolis; Pleasant Run Children’s Home; Lacy Leadership Development Program as a member of the Race Relations Project; and United Way of Greater Indianapolis where she served as Vice Chair of the Agency Relations Committee.
The Lake Institute on Faith and Giving at IUPUI was envisioned in 2002 by Karen and Don Buttrey as a legacy tribute to her parents, honoring their values and commitment to faith and philanthropy.
The Institute, which is situated in the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, seeks to build a scholarly foundation, through research, teaching, and public service for the exploration of vital role religion plays in philanthropy.