James Danko
James M. Danko is an American entrepreneur, college administrator, and the 21st president of Butler University.
James M. Danko | |
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James Danko at Butler 2016 graduation | |
Born | Cleveland, Ohio, US |
Alma mater | John Carroll University University of Michigan |
Title | President of Butler University |
Term | August 1, 2011 |
Predecessor | Bobby Fong |
Spouse(s) | Bethanie Danko |
Children | Melanie Danko Meredith Danko |
Website | Butler University Office of the President |
Early life and career
Danko grew up in Parma, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland. He started his first business, a medical and fitness equipment company, when he was 19, simultaneously earning a bachelor's degree in religious studies at John Carroll University. He ran the company for 17 years. It became the largest fitness equipment company in Ohio at the time. Danko sold his company in 1990 and attended the University of Michigan to earn an MBA.[1] He went on to serve in business-school leadership roles at institutions including the University of Michigan, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Dartmouth College, and Villanova University.[2] He was appointed dean of the Villanova School of Business (VSB) in 2005. During his tenure there, VSB moved from an unranked, regional college to a nationally ranked American business school.[1]
Butler University presidency
Danko is the current president of Butler University, a private university in Indianapolis, Indiana, inaugurated in November 2011.[3] During his term, the university has reported a significant increase in the number of applicants and financial support, and has received several high regional and national rankings.[2][4] In interviews, Danko has talked of plans to expand the university's reputation and student population, and in 2013, he moved to put Butler in the Big East Conference, a decision that brought a lot of attention to the small Midwest school as their men's basketball team gained national media coverage.[3][4] Danko also became Vice-Chair of the Big East Board of Directors, and currently represents them on the NCAA Division I Presidential Forum.[5] Danko and his wife Bethanie currently reside on Butler University campus.
References
- Valerian, Sue (3 March 2013). "Pillars of Leadership". John Carroll University. John Carroll University Magazine. Retrieved 10 August 2017.
- "President Danko's Biography". Butler University. Butler University. Retrieved 10 August 2017.
- Kirschner, Kris (12 November 2011). "Danko inaugurated as new Butler president". WTHR Channel 13. WTHR Channel 13. Retrieved 10 August 2017.
- Johnson, Jenna (20 March 2013). "Tiny Butler's NCAA tournament success provided a bounce beyond basketball". The Washington Post. The Washington Post. Retrieved 10 August 2017.
- "Butler President Danko Named To NCAA Presidential Forum". Big East Conference. Big East Conference. 8 September 2016. Retrieved 10 August 2017.