Written by: Trisha Walls, Carey Chesire from Andover Middle School won the Sunflower State Spelling Bee on March 23 held in Salina at Kansas Wesleyan University. Chesire competed as one of nearly 100 elementary and middle school students. Chesire, an eighth-grade student who qualified for the State Bee by winning the Butler County Spelling Bee in February, correctly spelled the word “ahuehuete.” The ahuehuete, a cypress…
Written by: Caleb Sanderson, Greta started her Campus Police Department student worker position in November of 2022 for experience as a Criminal Justice major. Working with Chief Henderson and the other officers has given her insight into the field she’s currently pursuing. “Greta Santini has been instrumental in helping me with closing some cases and investigations,” Kevin Leiker, Butler Community College Police Officer,…
Ten years of partnership with Rusty Eck Ford result in another generous donation for students , Written by: Caleb Sanderson, Rusty Eck Ford donated four used 3.7 L Mustang V6 engines and six different types of tools to assist student learning in Butler Community College’s Automotive Technology program. Donated tools include two Milwaukee Impact Kits, two Gear Wrench sets, three K Tool International Screwdriver Sets and more. The donation will be of great use to the students in the Auto Tech certificate and degree…
The Butler Community College Foundation to host event on May 1 on El Dorado campus., Written by: Caleb Sanderson, Janice Akao, Department Chair of Accounting, Business Administration and Data Analytics, was named the 2024 Master Teacher by the Butler Community College Education Association (BCCEA). “I am deeply honored to have been chosen as the recipient of the Master Teacher award,” Akao said. “I sincerely appreciate the acknowledgment of my efforts in the field of education, including the countless hours…
Culminating his 52 years of teaching, Peterson ends career with upcoming Butler play, "Harvey.", Written by: Caleb Sanderson, After 43 years teaching and being a professional inspiration to students in the Butler Community College Theatre Department, Bob Peterson is set to retire at the end of this academic year. Peterson exits Butler following his last Butler play, , Harvey, . , Harvey , will be performed in the 700 Building theatre on the El Dorado campus. Showtimes are Thursday, April 18 through Saturday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m. with a 2 p.m. show on Saturday as well. This will be Peterson’s last play he directs as a Butler instructor. Tickets can be reserved on the butlercc.edu Box Office page. “Butler has been so good to me,” Peterson remarked. “Butler has provided me with a…, Alvin the Alligator, was created. He has entertained elementary school children for the past 22 years.” , Alvin the Alligator, , an annual piece created by Peterson about a friendly alligator named Alvin, has become a generational favorite activity for local families. Many parents who attended the plays when they were younger now share that experience with their own children. Peterson’s career began in 1972 as a Topeka High School teacher. Multi-award-winning actress Jayne Houdyshell, who won a Tony Award for her role…, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, and the first play he wrote and produced at Butler was called , First Boy, . Peterson has even acted in one of his own works, entitled , Barbershop Quartet, . “I later wrote and directed , Heaven Ajar, , the story about President Coolidge’s sons,” Peterson enthused. “I wrote in cooperation with President Coolidge’s oldest son, John. I have reworked it and presented it at Butler under the title of , Angels Charge, .” Although Peterson’s professional involvement with Butler is coming to “curtains closed,” he is looking forward to moving on with personal endeavors. “I look at retirement as Act Three,” Peterson expressed. “I have several projects planned. I look forward to having the time to realize them.”
Five nights of instrumental performances on the El Dorado campus., Written by: Caleb Sanderson, Join the Butler Community College Instrumental Music Department for five nights of recitals performed on the El Dorado campus. Details are included below. Brass Recital on Monday, April 15 at 7:30 p.m. in the Clifford Stone Room, located in the R.D. Hubbard Welcome Center (2000) Building. Admission is free and no tickets are required. This recital will feature brass solos and small ensembles…, Admission is $10 with reserved and limited seating, . You can visit the Box Office page on the butlercc.edu website to reserve seating, view a map and find information about attending. , Student performers are listed below their hometown. Augusta, Dylan Boucher Jared Goldenstein Joseph Moore Romello Odom Wyatt Timsah Jenna Wallace (Strings) , Belle Plaine, Kayla Potter , Clearwater, Amber Saengerhausen , Derby, Ashley Alonso , Douglass, Anneliese Marecic Brianna Wasson Katie Valentine , El Dorado, Tre Burns Samantha Ecker Jocelyn Means , Halstead, Baylee Leep , Haven, Ethan Mulligan Kaley Mulligan , Kansas City, Missouri, Irvin White , Kechi, Preston Schuetz , Lawrence, Sophia Williams , Leon, Jayden Drake Kylie Metsker , Maize, Landon Burkett , Newton, Elizebeth Shepherd , Rosehill, Elliott Sewell Draven Ramsey , Sedgwick, Holly Tucker , Towanda, Riley Coleman , Wichita, Lauren Anderson Vincent Aramburu Alex Backus Leslie Balbuena (Strings) Breanna Ballard Sydney Burns Jackson DeForeest Dylan Dirksen Audrey Dunworth Cameron Eckdahl Mark Fanning Alyssa Farris (Strings) Dylan Frank Sophia Fuller Mackenzie Gabel (Strings) Rylee Hall Adam Long McKenna Mies Elisha Miller Hailey Misegadis Maxwell Morris Thiesen Nickel Aydan Price
Butler and Emporia from Students to Teachers recognizes two decades of partnership., Written by: Caleb Sanderson, Butler Community College’s and Emporia State University’s (ESU) elementary education partnership, Butler & Emporia from Students to Teachers (BEST) , recognizes 20 years of dedication and support to students. The partnership has graduated well over 500 students, with some of those graduates serving as mentor teachers, now or in the past. Students in the BEST pathway earn their Bachelor of…, Braiden Allen of Augusta High School, Haven Grade School (Haven) 2024 winner, Brianna (Cleveland) Oglesby of Derby High School, Prairie Creek Elementary School (Andover) 2024 winner, Jamie Rhue of Winfield High School, El Paso Elementary Special Education teacher (Derby) 2023 winner
Dr. Tamara Daniel is deeply committed to expanding access to education and creating seamless pathways for student success. With a strong foundation in academic leadership, workforce development, and student- centered innovation, she continues to champion the mission of community colleges as engines of opportunity, economic mobility, and lifelong learning.
