to Rodney Dimick, Elizabeth Moore, and the rest of the Butler Marketing Department for photography
The Butler Community College Foundation Magazine is published twice a year and retains copyright of the materials contained within these pages. All rights reserved. Please send comments and updates to Butler Community College Foundation, 901 S. Haverhill Road, El Dorado, KS 67042, by email to foundation@butlercc.edu, by phone at 316-323-6355, or by fax to 316-323-6750.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Message from Tom Borrego and Tamara Daniel
Navigate Your Future
Master Teacher Andrea McCaffree-Wallace
Pat Kunkle’s Exceptional Legacy of Giving
A New Gathering Place for Generations of Grizzlies
End-of-Year Celebrations
Butler Benefit Auction Raises More Than $330,000
2026 Hubbard Award of Excellence
Transfer Scholarship Winners Commencement
Briefs
In Memoriam
The following friends of Butler have memorials established in their names.
Dr. Larry Abraham • Thelda Shelton
Memorial and tribute gifts can be given through the Butler Foundation’s website at https://butlerccfoundation.org/ give or by calling the Foundation at 316-323-6734. Donors may contribute funds to honor a loved one or special individual. Memorial gifts are a meaningful and lasting way to acknowledge a life that has passed while tribute gifts remember a birthday, anniversary, or special event.
As we wrap up another exciting academic year at Butler Community College, we are filled with gratitude and optimism for all that is happening across our campuses and communities.
This year has been one of momentum and growth. Enrollment continues to rise, new partnerships are taking shape, and preparations are well underway for Butler’s Centennial celebration in the 2026-27 academic year. As Butler approaches 100 years of serving students and communities, we are reminded that our success has always been built on the generosity, support, and belief of those who invest in our mission.
This spring also marked a record-breaking Butler Benefit Auction, with more than $334,000 raised to support Butler students and programs. We are incredibly grateful to our donors, sponsors, volunteers, and community partners who made this achievement possible. Your support continues to open doors of opportunity for our students and strengthens Butler’s impact throughout the region.
This issue also shares the remarkable story of Pat Kunkle, whose generosity resulted in the largest gift in Butler Foundation history. A Butler alumna and longtime supporter of student scholarships, Pat’s estate gift of more than $2 million will create life-changing opportunities for Butler students for generations to come. Her legacy is a powerful reminder of the lasting impact one person can have.
We are also excited to continue fundraising efforts for the campus plaza renovation project, which will create an inviting gathering space for students, employees, alumni, and visitors for years to come. Projects like this help ensure our campuses remain vibrant places where students can learn, connect, and thrive.
For Dr. Daniel, this first year at Butler has been filled with opportunities to meet students, employees, alumni, and supporters who care deeply about the college and its future. The enthusiasm and pride surrounding Butler are evident everywhere, and the excitement surrounding the next chapter of Butler’s story continues to grow.
Thank you for being part of the Butler family and for helping shape the future of Butler Community College. We look forward to celebrating this historic Centennial season together.
Dr. Tamara Daniel President, Butler Community College
Thomas E. Borrego, J.D. Vice President of Advancement
DID YOU KNOW YOU CAN SUPPORT THE BUTLER FOUNDATION WHILE DOING YOUR GROCERY SHOPPING? The Butler Foundation is now a Dillons Food Stores Community Rewards program member!
1. Log in to your Dillons Food Stores account.
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4. Click enroll. It’s that easy!
Customers must have a registered Dillons Food Stores rewards card to link to the organization. If you need help, visit a customer service desk at your local Dillons!
Butler Community College Foundation 901 S Haverhill Road El Dorado, KS 67042 316-323-6729
TBorrego@butlercc.edu butlercc.edu
Charting Your Course
Do you wish to include our organization in your plans? We can help you chart a course for your future that supports our work while benefiting you and your loved ones.
Making a future gift to us as part of your estate plan:
Costs you nothing today.
● May save federal estate taxes.
● Is flexible. You can always change your mind.
● Might free more assets for your family due to tax savings.
●
● Enables you to leave a legacy that will make a difference and be appreciated forever.
Navigate your future
Boating enthusiasts will tell you that a good compass is essential to reaching your destination. A well-written estate plan can do the same thing. It can help you map out the future and make sure you reach your intended destination, leaving nothing to chance.
Resources we can offer to your attorney and advisors to help them save you money.
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For more information on why including us in your plans makes a difference for you and for others, please call or email us. We are happy to help!
Master Teacher ANDREA McCAFFREE-WALLACE
Andrea McCaffree-Wallace, a full-time English professor, is the recipient of the 2026 Master Teacher Award. Presented annually by the Butler Community College Education Association (BCCEA), the award honors a faculty member who exemplifies student engagement, scholarship, exemplary teaching, and dedicated service to both the college and the association.
“I am a third-generation teacher, so an award from my colleagues does feel like the highest possible honor,” McCaffreeWallace said. “The Master Teacher award is a lifetime achievement award for Butler teachers; it means that you've not only put in the time but worked to become an expert in the classroom as well as your field.”
During her 14 years at Butler, McCaffree-Wallace has earned a reputation among colleagues for her dedication to students and the college. Nominators described her as “brilliant,” praising her tireless work for students, colleagues, and Butler’s mission. They highlighted her engaging and rigorous courses, her ability to meet students where they are, and her role as a collaborative mentor who steps up when needed.
McCaffree-Wallace has deep family ties to Butler. Four generations of her family have attended the college, beginning with her great-grandmother, who returned as an adult student after raising her children and became a high school English teacher and advocate for higher education.
“We received more nominations than usual this year, which made the selection process both more difficult and more meaningful,” said Kamielle Freeman, BCCEA president. “The number and quality of nominations reflect how hard our faculty work for Butler every day. Andrea is a perfect example of that hard work and dedication.”
The Master Teacher reception, award, and honorarium are provided by the Marjorie Gilroy Knowles Teaching Excellence Fund, administered by the Butler Community College Foundation.
HAROLD SMITH Cultural Series SAVE THE DATE TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2026 AT 7 P.M.
more details!
Tim Tebow, author and founder of the Tim Tebow Foundation Hubbard Welcome Center, Clifford Stone Community Room Free to the public. Watch for
Legacy of Giving PAT KUNKLE’S EXCEPTIONAL
BUTLER
FOUNDATION
For Patricia “Pat” Ann Kunkle, education was never simply one chapter of life. It was the thread that connected her story from beginning to end.
RECEIVES LARGEST GIFT EVER
Born in 1932 in El Dorado, Kansas, Pat grew up in the community her legacy will now help shape for generations to come. A graduate of El Dorado High School and El Dorado Junior College, now Butler Community College, she earned the Order of Purple, an academic distinction still awarded to Butler graduates today. She later completed a Bachelor of Science degree from Kansas State University, building the educational foundation that guided her life and values.
Pat spent more than 30 years working in the pathology lab at the University of Kansas, where her intelligence, precision, and quiet dedication earned deep respect. She was the only woman in the lab until the 1980s, helping pave the way for others in the field.
Throughout her life, she remained a passionate learner and a steadfast believer in the power of education to change lives.
That belief took root at Butler more than 50 years ago. In 1972, Pat and her mother, Kathryn, established a scholarship honoring family member Esther Parsons to support students pursuing careers in nursing and education. Over time, the
scholarship evolved into the Parsons/Kunkle Presidential Gold Scholarship, reflecting the family’s enduring commitment to helping students achieve their educational goals.
“I met Pat in 2007,” said Averie Nelson, director of development and athletic giving. “She left an immediate impression on me as someone of high intelligence, as well as humor and humility. It was my honor to befriend her and to be the steward of her immense kindness through this estate gift.”
Following her passing in December 2024, Pat’s commitment to students continues through a transformational estate gift of more than $2 million to the Butler Community College Foundation, the largest gift in the Foundation’s history.
Her generosity will strengthen the Parsons/Kunkle Presidential Gold Scholarship and provide support for students pursuing careers in nursing, education, and auto technology.
“Pat’s estate gift is the single largest gift we have ever received in the history of the Butler Foundation,” Nelson said. “It speaks volumes of her character and the way she conducted her life.”
Pat’s roots in Butler County ran deep. Her grandfather homesteaded land near Chelsea, Kansas, in 1875, and her father operated one of El Dorado’s earliest automobile repair garages. Through scholarships supporting technical and service-oriented careers, that spirit of hard work and community investment continues.
Those who knew Pat remember far more than her accomplishments. They remember her wit, humor, curiosity, and adventurous spirit. Her personal library rivaled many
institutions, and her art collection reflected her eclectic interests. She loved gardening, entertaining, traveling, and turning ordinary moments into lasting memories.
Most of all, they remember her generosity, not only in what she gave, but in the thoughtful way she chose to give it.
Pat understood that education changes lives, and that a single opportunity can shape a person’s future. Because of her generosity, countless Butler students will now have that opportunity, carrying forward a legacy rooted in education, service, and community.
REMEMBERING
DR. LARRY ABRAHAM
A Legacy of Service, Generosity, and Grizzly Pride
For more than 50 years, Larry Abraham was one of the most dedicated supporters of Butler Community College athletics.
Known simply as “Doc,” Abraham served for many years as team doctor for Butler football and basketball, caring for thousands of student-athletes while building a successful podiatry practice in El Dorado. Born in Wichita, he attended Wichita State University before earning his doctorate from the Illinois School of Podiatry.
Doc and his wife, Judy Abraham, became some of the most generous supporters in Butler athletics history. Since first becoming involved with Butler in 1974, the couple contributed to numerous facility improvements, including the Abraham Sports Medicine Center, the Criss Football Complex, and the BG Products Veterans Sports Complex. They also established an endowed scholarship benefiting Butler athletics and regularly provided meals, snacks, and equipment for students and staff.
“Even though I didn’t go to school at Butler, this is where I live and practice podiatry,” Abraham said in a 2013 Butler Foundation magazine article. “I’m going to support one institution, and I decided this is the one I’m going to continually support.”
Abraham was inducted twice into the Grizzly Athletic Hall of Fame and became one of the most prolific donors in Butler athletics history. Following his recent passing, his legacy continues through an estate gift to the Butler Community College Foundation, further supporting the students and programs he faithfully championed for decades.
A memorial honoring Dr. Abraham has been established with the Butler Community College Foundation through the Dr. Larry & Judy Abraham Athletic Scholarship Fund.
A New Gathering Place FOR GENERATIONS OF GRIZZLIES
For nearly 100 years, Butler Community College has served as a cornerstone of opportunity in our region by empowering students, strengthening our workforce, and enriching the communities we serve. As we prepare to celebrate Butler’s centennial, we are excited for the many opportunities to honor that remarkable legacy.
To mark this milestone, Butler is undertaking a transformative project: the renovation of the central campus plaza in El Dorado. Located at the heart of campus, the renovated plaza will become a welcoming, accessible, and vibrant gathering space that reflects Butler’s proud history and its promise for the future.
The renovated plaza will be more than a physical improvement. It will be a place for connection and community, where students gather between classes, campus traditions and celebrations take place, and future Grizzlies begin their Butler journey. Designed with inclusivity, beauty, and functionality in mind, the plaza will embody the values Butler has championed for a century: access, excellence, and community.
We invite you to help make this vision a reality. A gift to the plaza renovation is an investment in Butler’s next 100 years, creating a lasting and visible legacy on campus while demonstrating your belief in the power of education to inspire, empower, and transform lives.
If you are interested in contributing to the plaza renovation, contact Tom Borrego at tborrego@butlercc.edu or 316-323-6729 to discuss the many ways you can support this project. Gifts of $500 or more will be recognized on the donor wall located in the plaza.
END-OF-YEAR Celebrations
EARLY COLLEGE ACADEMY CELEBRATES GRADUATES
Butler Community College honored 125 students during the Early College Academy (ECA) graduation celebration on May 9, recognizing graduates who completed college-level coursework while still in high school.
The ECA offers high school students a head start in their academic and career journeys through a variety of pathway and certificate options. Students spend part of their day at their respective high schools and the remainder on a Butler campus, including El Dorado, Andover, or Rose Hill, depending on their chosen pathway.
125 students were honored in May for completing college-level studies during high school.
BUTLER COMMUNITY COLLEGE HONORS AND AWARDS CEREMONY
Butler Community College held its 78th annual Honors and Awards Recognition Ceremony in May to recognize students for academic excellence, leadership, and scholarship during the 2025–26 academic year. Nearly $30,000 in transfer scholarships were awarded during the ceremony.
The Order of the Gold is the highest academic recognition a student can receive at Butler. The Order of the Gold graduates achieved a combined 4.0 grade point average. This year, 36 students were honored with Order of the Gold medallions.
The Order of the Purple graduates achieved a combined grade point average of 3.75 or above. This year, 115 students were honored with Order of the Purple medallions.
Ten retiring faculty members were also recognized for their contributions to helping students reach their goals. Combined, the retirees have over 200 years of educational service at Butler.
SPRING 2026 NURSES PINNING CEREMONY AWARDS PINS TO 74 GRADUATES
Butler’s largest-ever spring nurses pinning ceremony celebrated 74 students entering the nursing profession.
Dr. Marc Malone, executive vice president of academic affairs, shared a personal story about his family’s experiences with nurses while addressing the graduates. “The nursing pin itself represents something bigger. It symbolizes compassion, responsibility, trust, and the willingness to care for people at their most vulnerable moments. That is a remarkable calling.”
Five of the 74 students simultaneously completed their Butler associate degree and the University of Kansas Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
Dr. Daniel presents an Order of the Gold medallion as Dr. Malone readies the next medallion.
Five Butler Nursing graduates completed the partnership with KU to earn their associate and Bachelor of Nursing degrees at the same time. Left to right: Jacob Gantt, Sarah Hess, Valeria Luna, Kendra Carillo, Gabriella A. Bauerle
Butler's Adult Ed department celebrated nearly 50 graduates, ages 16 to 70, who earned their Kansas high school diplomas.
Redler Institute of Culinary Arts celebrated 14 graduates at its fourth annual Toque Ceremony. Students received their toques at the event. “Like a perfectly balanced dish, these chefs have combined dedication, technique, and heart to craft their culinary journey. We celebrate their growth from eager apprentices to accomplished culinarians, ready to sauté their dreams to new heights and serve excellence on every plate," said Les Padzensky, director of the Redler Institute.
Butler Benefit Auction RAISES MORE THAN $334,000
More than 325 guests gathered for the 29th annual Butler Benefit Auction on March 6 to celebrate this year’s theme, “New Era, New Style.” As the largest fundraiser for the Butler Community College Foundation, the event raised more than $334,000 to support student scholarships and academic opportunities.
John (’85) and Jennifer (’86) Blickenstaff served as honorary chairs. Butler alumnus Austin Clift (’10) emceed the evening, with Jeremy Sundgren serving as auctioneer.
The evening began with a social hour featuring gourmet bites prepared by students from the Redler Institute of Culinary Arts. The silent auction included more than 100 donated items, while the live auction featured more than 20 packages and raised nearly $110,000.
Current Butler students representing the livestock judging team, BCTV, the Culinary Arts program, Butler Athletics, and the Fine Arts department, contributed to the event’s success. More than $140,000 was raised during the Pure Philanthropy portion of the evening, in which guests donated directly to student scholarships.
The event also launched the Centennial Scholarship. Donors contributed $100 each to establish the fund, raising $5,800 to support a Butler County student with a personal or family connection to Butler.
Corporate sponsors included:
• Presenting Sponsor: HF Sinclair
• Elite Sponsors: Bank of America; Premier Food Service; Gravity::Works Architecture; PEC; Simpson Construction Services; Commerce Bank; L.J. Lechtenberg Strategic Financial Partners
Those interested in attending, sponsoring, or donating to Butler’s 30th annual Benefit Auction during the college’s Centennial year may contact Jennifer Green-Miracle at 316-323-6338 or jgreenmiracl@butlercc.edu. If you are interested in donating to the Centennial Scholarship, contact Tom Borrego at tborrego@butlercc.edu or 316-323-6729.
Brandi Lane, Amy Hall
Dr. Tamara Daniel, Butler’s president, bids on a live auction item.
Annika Wooton, a speed painter and former Miss Kansas, painted the Grizzly logo during the auction. The painting was sold during the live auction.
Guests enjoy dinner and the “New Era, New Style” decorations.
Jennifer Blickenstaff, Betty Corbin, Bobbie Jaax, John Blickenstaff
Joe Hemmelgarn
Ray Connell and Dr. Kim Krull, past president of Butler Community College
Jeremy Nelson, Steve Daniel, Robb Murphy
2026 HUBBARD AWARD of Excellence Winner
Evelyn Castillo
Evelyn, a graduate of Wichita North High School and a firstgeneration college student, is a pre-med major who plans to transfer to Wichita State University to study biology before attending medical school.
While in middle school, Evelyn enrolled in a high school biomedical program without knowing exactly what career she wanted to pursue. By high school, she questioned whether the program was the right fit, but soon realized the opportunities it could provide. “The program offered opportunities to earn certifications and gain direct exposure to healthcare through patient care, research experiences, and
2026 HUBBARD
Mariah Barkus
Hometown: Douglass, Kansas / Douglass High School
physician shadowing,” Evelyn says. “Those experiences opened my eyes to the wide range of possibilities in medicine and solidified my desire to pursue a career as a physician.”
While attending Butler, Evelyn balanced two jobs, restarted the college’s Biology Club, and served as its president.
AWARD FINALISTS
Mariah majored in sports management while at Butler. She was a part of the vocal music program and the a cappella group at Butler. She plans to continue her sports management degree at Wichita State University.
Mary Habjan
Hometown: Linwood, Kansas / Linwood High School
Mary is an animal science and agricultural business major. She competed on the nationally ranked Butler Livestock Judging Team. She plans to continue her judging career and study agriculture at the University of Arkansas.
Jacyndah Jennings
Hometown: Mulvane, Kansas / Mulvane High School
Jacyndah was an Early College Academy student. While at Butler, she was on the health sciences pathway. She plans to get a degree in medicine at the University of Kansas.
Olivia Rossi
Hometown: Yampa, Colorado / Soroco High School
Olivia majored in agribusiness while at Butler. She competed on the nationally ranked Butler Livestock Judging Team. She plans to study animal science while competing on the livestock judging team at Kansas State University.
Harlee Watson
Hometown: Flemingsburg, Kentucky / Fleming County High School
Harlee studied animal science and agricultural business at Butler. She competed on the nationally ranked Butler Livestock Judging Team. Harlee also served on the National Junior Hereford Association Board of Directors. She plans to continue her studies and her livestock judging career at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
John Blickenstaff, Butler Foundation board president, presents Evelyn with the Hubbard Award of Excellence
TRANSFER SCHOLARSHIP
Winners
Butler Community College Trustee Scholarship –Mariah Barkus
Lindsey Carter Fields Excellence in Science Scholarship –Jacyndah Jennings
Transfer Institution: University of Kansas
Major: (early college) Health Sciences
Hometown: Mulvane, Kansas / Mulvane High School
Helen Teter Zebold Scholarship –Keegan Yarick
Transfer Institution: Missouri Western State University
Major: Health & Exercise Science
Hometown: Fort Scott, Kansas / Fort Scott High School
Fran Jabara Presidential Business Scholarship – Eva Preister
Transfer Institution: Wichita State University
Major: Business Administration
Hometown: Andale, Kansas / Andale High School
Jim & Susie Edwards “Make A Difference” Scholarship – Connor Booth
Transfer Institution: Kansas State University
Major: Animal Science
Hometown: Torrington, Wyoming / Torrington High School
Clifford W. Stone Academic Excellence Scholarship – Paige Gawith
Transfer Institution: Kansas State University
Major: Elementary Education
Hometown: Wichita, Kansas / Andover Central High School
Crossland Family Presidential Scholarship – Jase Thomas
Transfer Institution: Pittsburg State University
Major: Nursing
Hometown: Augusta, Kansas / Augusta High School
THE BUTLER COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION IS LAUNCHING THE ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
As we prepare for our 100th anniversary, we want to highlight alumni experiences across generations. We will share these stories through Foundation communications, social media, alumni features, and Centennial storytelling throughout the Centennial year.
If you have a Butler story you would like to share, fill out the short form found using this QR code. If you know another Butler alum with a story to share, please pass this information along to them.
Please submit by September 1, 2026.
Commencement
More than 800 Butler Community College degree candidates attended the 99th commencement ceremony on May 15 at the BG Products Veterans Sports Complex. During the ceremony, Evelyn Castillo was presented with the $15,000 Hubbard Award of Excellence transfer scholarship. Congratulations to all our graduates!
BUTLER Briefs
BUTLER NAMES DR. MARC MALONE EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
Butler Community College has named Marc Malone as its new executive vice president of academic affairs.
Malone most recently served as vice president for instructional services and chief academic officer at Garden City Community College, where he oversaw instruction, workforce development, and accreditation. He previously taught English at Cloud County Community College before advancing into leadership roles, including department chair and associate vice president for planning and assessment.
KANSAS COMMUNITY COLLEGES, NATIONAL GUARD PARTNER TO EXPAND CYBERSECURITY PATHWAYS
Kansas community colleges and the Kansas National Guard have signed a proclamation establishing a statewide partnership to develop the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. The collaboration expands education and career pathways in one of the nation’s fastest-growing fields.
He holds a Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration from the University of Kansas, a master’s degree in English literature from Iowa State University, and bachelor’s degrees in English literature and French from Illinois College.
Since 2019, Malone has led the development of new technical programs at Garden City, strengthened transfer pathways, and secured grants to expand student opportunities.
“I am honored to join Butler Community College and to support its tradition of excellence,” said Malone. “I’m committed to fostering environments that support our students, faculty, and staff, as well as our industry partners and communities across Butler County and beyond.”
Butler President Tamara Daniel said Malone’s experience in Kansas higher education will be a strong asset. “Dr. Malone brings an exceptional record of leadership in academic affairs and a deep commitment to student success,” she said. “His collaborative spirit and passion for building strong academic and workforce pathways will benefit our students, employees, and the Butler County community.”
Originally from Jacksonville, Illinois, Malone emphasized a collaborative, community-centered approach. “Together, we will continue to build programs and pathways that enhance quality of life through education.”
Participating institutions—including Cloud County, Butler, Garden City, Barton, Hutchinson, Newman University, and Cowley College—will partner with the Kansas National Guard’s 184th Wing to enhance curriculum and credentialing aligned with evolving workforce and mission needs. The initiative will incorporate innovative models such as stackable credentials, micro-pathways, and competency-based learning to support Airmen, veterans, and other Kansans pursuing technical and professional advancement.
“Kansas community colleges are excited for this new partnership with the Kansas National Guard, specifically the 184th Wing, to enhance cybersecurity, unmanned aerial systems, and artificial intelligence education for service members and the civilians who support them,” said Heather Morgan, executive director of the Kansas Association of Community Colleges. “This collaboration strengthens our ability to deliver instruction led by experts with hands-on experience while exposing students to meaningful career pathways that help protect our state and nation.”
“Our Kansas colleges are vital partners in empowering our citizen-Airmen and building a stronger, more capable force,” said Joe Deeds, commander of the 184th Wing. “The education and training gained through these institutions help advance the skills of our Airmen. The 184th Wing has established itself as the ‘Silicon Prairie’ of the Air National Guard—a hub where premier cyber and intelligence talent converges to address complex national security challenges. Together, Kansas higher education and the Guard are demonstrating that innovation thrives in the heartland.”
U.S. Senator Roger Marshall (center) with several Kansas community college presidents, including Butler President Dr. Tamara Daniel (second from left).
Marc Malone
MCCOSKEY EARNS KBOR SUNFLOWER AWARD FOR COREQUISITE INNOVATION
Butler professor Kathy McCoskey has received the 2026 Sunflower Award for Corequisite Innovation from the Kansas Board of Regents, recognizing her leadership in advancing student success through innovative English instruction.
McCoskey helped develop Butler’s Accelerated Learning Program (ALP), which pairs developmental coursework with the college-level gateway course English Composition I. Since the program launched in 2013, it has improved student outcomes and influenced broader adoption of corequisite models across Kansas.
BUTLER STUDENTS EARN HONORS IN STATEWIDE KAB COMPETITION
Two Kansas Association of Broadcasters Student Production Awards are headed to Butler, with students Evan Sinclair and Cole Wert earning recognition for their work in video and audio programming.
Sinclair received first place in the Video Vertical Video category for “Surviving West Hall,” while Wert earned second place in the Audio Best Feature category for “Band Mini Features.”
The annual KAB Student Production Awards feature submissions from two-year and four-year undergraduate and graduate programs across Kansas. Butler was the only twoyear institution recognized among this year’s winners.
“Receiving this award is significant to me because I have worked in the developmental English area for many years and have a heart for our developmental students,” McCoskey said. “It is meaningful and important work.”
McCoskey has served Butler for 34 years, first as an advisor, then as director of the McConnell Academic Center, and as a full-time professor since 2000.
“I am grateful for the support and encouragement of Butler administrators over the years to not only grow our ALP program but to develop and lead workshops and trainings for other English educators in the state,” she said. “To be recognized as a Corequisite Innovator by KBOR is an unexpected honor and encouragement.”
FOUNDATION AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS TO 2026 BUTLER COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES
The Butler Community College Foundation awarded more than $93,000 in scholarships to nearly 100 graduating Butler County seniors at their high school awards ceremonies in May, reinforcing its commitment to giving back to the communities it serves.
Funded entirely through donor generosity, these scholarships support students from Augusta, El Dorado, Andover, Circle, Douglass, Rose Hill, Bluestem, Remington, and Flint Hills— making a direct investment in the future of Butler County.
“At its core, this is about community,” said Kyla Gaston, scholarship coordinator at the Foundation. “Thanks to our donors, we can open doors for students across Butler County and support them as they take their next step. It’s incredibly special to see these students recognized right in their own schools and then welcome them to Butler.”
Over the competition’s 29-year history, Butler students have earned 315 awards, including 109 first-place finishes, 98 second-place honors, and 108 honorable mentions.
Cole Wert (left) and Evan Sinclair took home honors from this year's Kansas Association of Broadcasters Student Production Awards.
Kathy McCoskey received the 2026 Sunflower Award for Corequisite Innovation from the Kansas Board of Regents.
El Dorado students with their Butler scholarship certificates at their senior awards ceremony.
BUTLER STUDENT JOURNALISTS RECEIVE KANSAS COLLEGIATE MEDIA AWARDS
Student journalists from Butler’s publications, The Lantern and The Grizzly, earned nearly 20 awards at the Kansas Collegiate Media conference.
The Grizzly magazine, advised by Amy Hornbaker, received two copy-editing awards and second-place Journalist of the Year honors for Kaylin Bergeron in both newspaper and magazine categories. Bergeron serves as a freelance journalist for the magazine.
The Lantern newspaper, advised by Amy Chastain, earned 15 individual awards, including one first-place finish, two second-place finishes, four third-place finishes, and eight honorable mentions.
“This is a great learning opportunity for our students,” Chastain said. “The awards are a recognition of their hard work. By the end of the semester, our students are feeling burnt out, so to be acknowledged for their work is reaffirming.”
PROFESSORS MEYER AND CARRELL RECEIVE TEACHING EXCELLENCE AWARD
Butler Community College recognized outstanding faculty achievements during its annual Teaching Excellence Recognition Dinner, honoring full-time and adjunct instructors for excellence, innovation, and impact in the classroom.
This year’s Full-Time Teaching Excellence Award was presented to Jeff Meyer, a biology instructor who is retiring at the end of the academic year after 17 years at Butler. Students described Meyer as supportive, engaging, and deeply committed to student success through review sessions, individualized assistance, and real-world examples in the classroom.
“It means a lot to receive this award, especially when students had a hand in voting,” Meyer said. “They are the ones we are all here for, and to be told they appreciate my efforts in the classroom is high praise indeed.”
The Adjunct Teaching Excellence Award was presented to David Carrell, who has taught at Butler for approximately 12 years following a 36-year career in Kansas public schools. Students praised Carrell for making math approachable and helping learners understand the “why” behind each concept while building confidence in the classroom.
“It is an honor,” Carrell
said. “It
is nice to know that my students think that highly of me. Math is not most students’ first love. I hope this means that I am explaining math concepts in terms that the students feel comfortable with.”
More than 100 faculty members, family members, and college leaders attended the celebration. Butler Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs Marc Malone, along with several deans, recognized more than 40 faculty members nominated by students and peers for excellence in teaching.
The Teaching Excellence Awards are presented by the League for Innovation in the Community College, an international nonprofit organization dedicated to professional development and student success in community colleges. The League’s Excellence Award recognizes faculty members across the nation who have made a difference in students’ lives through exceptional teaching and leadership.
Meyer and Carrell each received a medallion, a certificate, and a $500 honorarium.
The Lantern newspaper students earned individual awards for their work on the student-led paper.
Jeff Meyer (left) and David Carrell received this year's studentnominated Teaching Excellence Awards.
BUILDER BASH
Butler Community College hosted Builder BASH in April. More than 200 area middle school students enjoyed a day of hands-on activities as they explored careers in the construction industry.
The Butler Construction department, along with presenting sponsor Sherwin-Williams, and event partners Evergy, GTG Peterbilt, Liberty Communities, Junior Achievement, the Wichita Area Builders Association, and Professional Women in Building—Wichita PWB, introduced students to different trades—from framing to interior design to electric linemen.
As part of the event, students helped build bed frames for Sleep in Heavenly Peace, a national nonprofit that builds basic wooden bed frames with the help of volunteers. Then they deliver and assemble the frame, mattress, and bedding for children who are sleeping on the floor.
Builder BASH provided a valuable opportunity for students to explore skilled trades, connect with industry professionals, and participate in meaningful community service.
FOUNDATION HOSTS RETIREE BRUNCH
The Butler Foundation hosted its second annual Retiree Brunch in April. The event attracted more than 40 retirees who enjoyed brunch and visiting with one another. The event is made possible by the Marjorie Gilroy Knowles Teaching Excellence fund, which is administered by the Butler Community College Foundation.
BUTLER CENTENNIAL ACTIVITIES
We are thrilled to celebrate Butler’s Centennial this fall. You can be part of the celebration in different ways!
• Donate memorabilia or ephemera to the Archives— email rrozzell@butlercc.edu
• Join us at our Centennial Football Game versus Dodge City on October 17. Game time is 1:00 p.m. with plans for food trucks, games, bounce houses, and more before the game at the BG Products Veterans Sports Complex.
• An Andover campus celebration is scheduled for Spring 2027—details to come soon!
• Give to the Centennial Legacy Scholarship at butlercc.edu/give. This scholarship will be given annually to a Butler County high school graduate coming to Butler Community College.
• Share how Butler is “More Than A Place” to you by visiting the QR code below!
Questions? Email us at centennial@butlercc.edu.
We would love to hear from you!
A middle school student learns how to operate a drill with assistance from a volunteer.
Left: Daun Best, Bonnie Ernst, Susan Pfeiffer Above: Shirley Longfellow, Peggy Krause, Janice Akao
