Former Collegian editor-in-chief Dan Cooreman to receive The Butler Medal

Dan Cooreman will receive the Butler Medal during Homecoming weekend. Photo courtesy of Dan Cooreman. Graphic by Anna Gritzenbach.

CALEB DENORME | EDITOR-IN-CHIEF | cdenorme@butler.edu

The Butler University Alumni Association announced the 2025 alumni award recipients who will be honored at an Alumni Recognition Ceremony during Homecoming. Among the alumni recipients is Butler graduate and former Butler Collegian staff member Dan Cooreman.

Cooreman will receive The Butler Medal on Sept. 26, an award that is the highest honor given by the Butler University Alumni Association. The Butler Medal recognizes individuals for “a lifetime of distinguished service to either Butler or their local community while at the same time achieving a distinguished career in their chosen profession and attaining a regional or national reputation.”

Cooreman — a journalism graduate in the class of 1976 — served on the Collegian from 1973 to 1976. During the 1975-76 school year, Cooreman served as the Collegian’s editor-in-chief. Professionally, Cooreman worked at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Birmingham (Ala.) Post Herald, the South Bend Tribune and The New York Times (NYT). He retired in 2015 after serving as an editor of the Sunday Business section of The NYT.

Throughout his professional career and after his retirement, Cooreman continually gave his time, energy and resources to mentoring up-and-coming journalists who worked at the Collegian. Cooreman also serves as the College of Communication’s (CCOM) Dean Advisory Board Chairperson, advising and supporting CCOM’s vision.

Upon receiving this prestigious honor, Cooreman provided this statement to the Collegian by email:

“My service to Butler has always been a natural way to say thanks for an education that opened the doors to a long journalism career. I never expected to win an award for it. The late Professor Art Levin, a Butler legend, always told his students that ‘journalists have a front-row seat on life.’ Thanks to him and so many others at Butler, I enjoyed living that life for 40 years.”

“Butler has seen vast changes in the decades since my graduation, but as a former Collegian editor, I know one astounding tradition that has endured: The valiant Collegian staff still works into the early-morning hours on publication nights to produce a vibrant newspaper for the campus community. That is something for all of us to celebrate.”

“I’m humbled and grateful to be included among this year’s honorees. Just take one look at their wide-ranging backgrounds and accomplishments, and you have proof that there is indeed strength in diversity.”