Contributed by Eric Bedrosian | Butler University DECA, IN
On September 10th, Butler University DECA hosted a landmark event on campus: it welcomed 2025 Indy 500 champion and four-time IndyCar Series titleholder Alex Palou as he became a professional chapter member.
The event, which brought together over 200 students, faculty, trustees, staff, alumni and DECA members, centered on entrepreneurship and innovation and showcased Butler DECA’s growing influence on campus. Throughout the evening, attendees participated in a fireside chat with Palou and leaders from Butler’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation (E & I) program, with students having the opportunity to ask direct questions about his racing career, business ventures and entrepreneurial mindset.
This highly anticipated event resulted from months of planning spearheaded by Butler DECA and executed in collaboration with the Lacy School of Business and the school’s newly formed Private Venture Association (PVA), co-founded by Butler DECA’s advisor Nick Smarrelli. When the opportunity arose to bring Palou to campus, Butler DECA immediately seized it, aligning perfectly with the chapter’s mission to inspire students to #GoTheExtra and explore their full leadership potential.
Beyond his accomplishments on the track, Palou’s entrepreneurial spirit was a major focus of the night. As co-owner of Palou Motor Sports and a former small business owner, having opened a coffee shop in Spain in his early life, Palou shared his insights on taking risks, redefining success and pushing forward no matter the circumstances. His journey resonated deeply with students and emerging entrepreneurs, underscoring the parallels between building a racing career and building a business.
Founded in 2022, Butler DECA has rapidly grown to become the second-largest Collegiate DECA chapter in the world, boasting over 250 active members. The chapter continues to elevate the student experience through strategic partnerships, high-profile guest speakers and immersive events like this one, all designed to fuel ambition and empower students to create their own opportunities.
This event marked a defining moment for Butler DECA, strengthening its reputation as a hub for innovation and leadership development and welcoming Alex Palou as a guest and a valued professional member of its ever-growing community.
