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College Profile
Timeless Institutional VALUES
Quality | Integrity | Service | Caring
Butler Community College, Kansas’ only Adobe Creative Campus and a recognized Aspen Institute Top 150 U.S. Community College, offers more than 100 degree programs and 30 professional certification programs. Butler is the second largest community college and the sixth largest educational institution in Kansas.
CAMPUS LOCATIONS
Butler’s main campus is in El Dorado, Kansas, with several other locations throughout Butler County and beyond, including Andover, Rose Hill, El Dorado Correctional Facility, Marion, Council Grove, Cowley, and McConnell AFB in Wichita. Online classes are also available for most majors, as are hybrid class schedules.
STUDENT POPULATION
During the 2023-2024 academic year, Butler served more than 9,500 students. The average age of Butler students is 23, and the average class size is 16. Butler County residents make up 24 percent of our student body.
DEGREES OFFERED
Butler offers four degrees: Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of General Studies and Associate of Applied Science. Numerous certificates, non-credit training, apprenticeship, and internship opportunities are available. Butler has an open admissions policy and is governed by an elected Board of Trustees.
MISSION
Butler Community College inspires and prepares students for lifetime success through inclusive, innovative, affordable, quality education while advancing community vitality.
VISION
Butler Community College will be an innovator in shaping the future for students, faculty, staff, and the community in a caring environment through dynamic instruction, programs, and support services.
HISTORY OF BUTLER
In the spring of 1927, El Dorado voters approved the establishment of El Dorado Junior College, which began classes that fall on the fourth floor of the old junior high school building with 115 students—23 sophomores and 92 freshmen.
In 1963, Butler County voted to form its own junior college as the “legal and continuing successor of the El Dorado Junior College.” An election held on October 1, 1963 officially created Butler County Community Junior College.
Less than two years later, a proposition was approved to issue bonds for Butler County Junior College to acquire land and construct a series of new buildings. Land was purchased from Isador Molk for $40,000, and a groundbreaking took place on February 22, 1965. Architectural firm Schaefer, Schirmer and Eflin designed the school.
Since the construction of the 10 original campus buildings in 1965, the campus has continued to grow with the addition of residence halls, facilities management and classroom buildings including Nursing, Agriculture and Fire Science, the Champions Training Center, and the Hubbard Welcome Center.
Butler’s 5000 Building, a 161,000-square foot building in Andover, was remodeled in Spring and Summer 2020 and supports a significant population of commuter students from the Wichita Metro Area and south central Kansas. The addition of a Facilities Management Building also includes teaching space for Engineering Technology and Construction Management. The state-of-the-art Redler Institute of Culinary Arts, completed in August 2022, is home to Butler’s long-standing and industry-recognized Culinary Arts and Hospitality programs and is located just a few miles from the 5000 Building.
Planning is already underway for the College’s 100th anniversary in 2027.
COMMUNITY IMPACT
A Fall 2023 economic impact study conducted by market analytics firm Lightcast showed the College has a $754.4 million annual impact, equivalent to supporting 10,792 jobs in Butler’s 10-county service area in south central Kansas. In addition, the study found that one out of every 40 jobs in the area is supported by the activities of Butler and its students.
LARGEST EMPLOYER
Butler is the largest employer in the county with nearly 1100 full-time and part-time faculty and staff including more than 260 part-time student workers. Butler’s highly qualified, credentialed, and experienced faculty and advisors include 155 full-time and 311 part-time/adjunct.
BUTLER COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION
Originally established as the Endowment Association in 1967, the Butler Community College Foundation seeks to nurture relationships that create opportunities for donors and community members to make a difference in Butler students’ lives. Today the Foundation’s endowment sits at nearly $15 million. Since 2015, the Foundation has awarded $7.5 million in scholarships to Butler students. In the past 10 years, the Foundation has raised more than $33 million through capital campaigns and the annual Benefit Auction in support of Butler students and college facilities.
CAREER AND WORKFORCE EDUCATION
Butler’s Career and Workforce Education Division offers corporate training programs, workshops, online professional development and other classes to help people become more productive and companies more profitable. The Career and Workforce Education team has delivered training for businesses and their employees for more than 35 years.
BUTLER ACADEMICS
Butler Community College offers more than 100 degree programs and 30 professional certificates designed to prepare students to earn an associate degree, transfer to a four-year institution or enter the workforce directly. Student success is the focus of the College’s mission driving standards of academic and institutional excellence both inside and outside the classroom.
EASY TRANSFERS
Because student goals may lie beyond Butler, the College has solid partnerships with both public and private universities across the state and around the country. Numerous 2+2 articulation agreements are in place allowing Butler students to transfer credits seamlessly to further their education. Butler is Wichita State University’s #1 transfer partner but each year, a number of Butler students transfer to Kansas State University, The University of Kansas, Fort Hays State University, Pittsburg State University, Friends University, and Newman University.
FIRE SCIENCE RESIDENCY
Butler’s Fire Science residency program is the only one of its kind in Kansas. In partnership with the El Dorado Fire Department, Butler students have a unique and exciting opportunity to work alongside professional firefighters as the residency program is housed in one of the El Dorado Fire Stations. In addition to the traditional two-year Fire Science degree, Butler’s newly launched 16-week Fire Science Academy is an immersive educational experience where students receive outstanding firefighter and EMT training while working alongside career firefighters, emerging with four industry certifications that help them secure immediate employment.
NURSING
Butler’s Nursing program is a recognized program of excellence resulting in the graduates being heavily recruited by hospitals and clinics across southcentral Kansas. Both RegisterdNursing.org and NursingProcess.org have designated Butler as a Top 10 Nursing school in Kansas. Students can earn a four-year Nursing degree without leaving the Butler campus through a partnership with the University of Kansas School of Nursing. Through this partnership with the University Kansas School of Nursing, Butler Nursing students can earn an ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) and a BSN (Bachelor’s Degree) concurrently.
AGRICULTURE
Butler’s Ag program is nationally recognized with a tradition of excellence inside and outside the classroom. In 2018, Butler received the Pulse Best Barns Award for the “Best Junior College Ag Program”, one of the industry’s most prestigious awards. Butler's nationally recognized Livestock Judging team was named National Livestock Judging Team of the Year in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021. Additionally, more Academic All-American’s have been named from Butler’s Livestock Judging Teams over the years than any other program in the country. Coach Taylor Frank has been named Coach of the Year four times. As a result, Butler has become the destination for Ag students from across the nation and Canada.
UNIQUE TO BUTLER
EARLY COLLEGE ACADEMY
The Early College Academy introduces the college learning experience to high school juniors and seniors, helping them propel their careers forward by earning college credits in high school. In May 2024, 103 students earned their associate degree from Butler and their high school diploma on the same weekend. Since 2010, 740 high school seniors have achieved this goal.
REDLER INSTITUTE OF CULINARY ARTS
The next great chefs learn the art and science of cuisine at the Redler Institute of Culinary Arts, a state-of-the-art facility in Andover which opened in August 2022. Featuring industry-leading equipment, two learning kitchens, classrooms, a produce garden and an elegant dining area, the Redler Institute provides an unparalleled culinary learning experience. It’s also home to Butler’s food truck, the “Grizzly Grub.”
BCTV+
BCTV+ is Butler's dynamic media department where students specialize in live broadcasting, in-venue video board entertainment and creative video content production. BCTV+ blends innovation and expertise to deliver exciting and captivating experiences for the college and local, community partners. BCTV+ allows students to be immersed in the experience, from idea generation, to development to final production of athletic, fine arts, classroom and community events. Butler students have had opportunities for both local and national exposure through BCTV+ productions.
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
Butler strives to provide opportunities for students to enjoy a “real college” experience through activities and programs that facilitate peer-to-peer engagement and life-long learning. More than 30 student clubs and organizations include Ag Ambassadors, Black Student Association (BSA), Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and Student Government Association (SGA).
HAROLD SMITH CULTURAL SERIES
The Harold Smith Cultural Series was established in 1998 through an estate gift of Harold Smith to the Butler Foundation. It was established to bring celebrated presenters from authors and musicians to movie producers, CEO’s and a U.S. President’s wife to Butler, allowing students, employees and area residents free and unique cultural opportunities.
RESIDENCE LIFE
Butler students who live on campus quickly become part of life on campus. On-campus residence halls offer an opportunity to extend students’ learning experiences in a community environment. Events and activities are planned and designed to build skills in social and civic engagement, skills that will enrich students’ professional and personal lives long after graduation. Butler offers distinct living arrangements in on-campus apartments and residence halls for men and women. In addition to live-in adult professional Residence Life Directors, each residence hall has trained student Resident Assistants who live on campus, plan and host both educational and fun activities, and assist students in adjusting to college.
FINE ARTS
VISUAL ART
In Butler’s visual arts classes, students explore the world of art through an in-depth study of two-dimensional and three-dimensional artistic practices in a small classroom setting. The Erman B. White Gallery hosts several unique art exhibits throughout the year featuring work by Butler students, faculty and regional artists, including paintings, ceramics, photography and more.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
Butler’s experienced instrumental music professors give students the individual instruction critical to developing their skills. They also lead various performing ensembles, including concert band, pep band, jazz ensemble, percussion ensemble, chamber ensemble, and the drum line.
VOCAL MUSIC
Butler’s vocal music program is known across the country for training expressive, high-talent musicians in a variety of styles. Performing ensembles include Headliners, Chamber Singers, A Cappella, Butler Ladies, Smorgaschords and Noteables. Non-majors are able to audition for the 120-voice Concert Choir. The program also has a strong working relationship with area professionals including the Wichita Symphony Orchestra, Music Theater of Wichita, the Kansas Dance Academy, internationally ranked SmorgasChorus, and the Wichita Grand Opera.
THEATRE
In the Butler Theatre Department, performance and technical majors actively learn how to elevate their craft. Every year, the department produces a classical drama, children’s play, and a musical or original script for students to develop a vast array of theatrical skills. The 1200-seat theatre is located on the El Dorado campus.
BUTLER ATHLETICS
Butler’s nationally-recognized athletic programs include women’s soccer, baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, track and field, volleyball, spirit squad, a two-time national championship softball team, and a six-time national championship football team. Butler is a member of the Kansas Jayhawk Conference and NJCAA Region VI. Home event venues for the Grizzlies include the “Power Plant” for basketball and volleyball, the BG Products Veterans Sports Complex for football and soccer, historic McDonald Stadium for baseball and East Park for softball. Butler’s colors are purple and gold and the longtime mascot is a grizzly bear named Grizzwold.
VENUES
- The Power Plant is home to volleyball and men’s and women’s basketball. It was opened in 1965 with an expansion to the south side of the building completed in 1982. The gym floor and bleachers were updated in 2016 and 2018. Summer 2023 saw a complete renovation of the HVAC system, renovation of the Hall of Fame Room, and innovative upgrades to the sound, lighting, video boards, production technology room, and game production technology.
- BG Products Veterans Sports Complex was built and is managed through a unique partnership between the City of El Dorado, El Dorado USD 490, and Butler. The Sports Complex hosts Butler football, soccer and track, USD 490 football and track, and City organized events. The 8,000 seat complex was built with private donations and City cash reserves and opened in 2012. The opening of Fall 2024 sporting events will find a complete upgrade to the stadium’s turf and track funded through private donations.
- Historic McDonald Stadium is home to Butler’s baseball team as well as city legion teams and the Walnuts, a Summer collegiate team playing in the KCLB. Opening in 1940, this stadium has a seating capacity of 1,000. Butler’s baseball locker room was added in 2014 with turf and technology upgrades completed in summer 2024.
- Butler’s national championship softball team plays their home games at East Park in El Dorado. The 200-seat venue is city-owned and maintained. Renovations and upgrades to the field and complex were completed in Fall 2023 using “storage containers” and included new concessions, restroom and umpire locker room space as well as a new Butler softball locker room.
- The Hubbard Champions Training Center (CTC) was built in 2004 on the El Dorado campus with gifts from the R.D Hubbard Foundation and Raymond and Betty Criss, local Butler supporters. It houses a synthetic turf practice area, weight room, two track lanes, batting cages, football trophy room, coaching offices and locker room.