Butler Recognizes Order of the Purple Graduates

This honor was established by the college to celebrate outstanding academic achievement by its students. Amongst Butler’s 2017-18 graduates, 129 of the more than 750 graduates were inducted into the Order of the Purple.

The Order of the Purple was established in spring 1937 to recognize graduates who were exceptional in scholarship, leadership, service and character. Today, to be eligible for this honor, students must have completed 30 hours at Butler and maintain a 3.75 or higher total grade point average. Students inducted into Order of the Purple receive a commemorative medallion to wear at Commencement to symbolize their academic accomplishment.

“With tonight’s celebration, you are joining a group of elite top scholars at Butler,” said Kim Krull, Ph.D., Butler Community College President.

The college’s Master Teacher, Donna Adams-Zimmerman, commended the scholars on their hard work and achievement. She explained that to lead a fulfilled life they must continue on their path and practice determination, persistence, accountability, lifelong learning and each of them must be able to challenge themselves.

“How much we enjoy what we have is more important than how much we have,” Adams-Zimmerman said. “It is the capacity to enjoy life that brings contentment. Reach for the stars and take tomorrow as the first step in a new day. If you fail, never give up because F.A.I.L. means ‘first attempt in learning.’”

The Helen Teter Zebold Science Award was given to Ryan Quillen. Quillen, from Wichita, majored in liberal arts. He is also in Butler’s Order of the Gold, an organization that honors students who receive a 4.0 grade point average. Helen Teter Zebold was one of Butler County’s leading philanthropists. Born in 1912, Zebold attended Kansas State University. This science award was established in Zebold’s memory and is given to a graduating sophomore majoring in science, math or engineering.

Kenzie Kretzmeier, an agriculture business major from Fowler, Ind. won the Winnie L. Broers Scholarship of $5,000.  Kretzmeier plans to attend Kansas State University in the fall and major in Agricultural Economics. This 2017-18 All-American Livestock Judge was on Butler’s Livestock Judging Team, which came in first in the nation. The Broers scholarship is given to a student that is planning to transfer to either the University of Kansas or Kansas State.

Emily Flickinger of Arkansas City received the Huey Award. Flickinger sang with the Headliners and Concert Choir. She plans to attend University of Central Oklahoma and major in music theatre. The Huey Award is given in honor of Gregory Bales “Huey” who earned an associate degree from Butler. Each year, the Huey Award is presented to an Order of the Purple graduate who possesses the same high standards for both academics and extra-curricular activities that Bales possessed.

The Frank H. Cron History award went to Katie Lindner of Augusta. Lindner plans to attend Kansas State University and major in secondary education and teach history.  Frank Cron (1868-1963) was a banker and philanthropist in El Dorado. Having been a school teacher in both Douglass and Augusta, Cron knew the value of education. Cron, the first president of the Butler County Historical Society, also understood the value of studying the past. The Cron award is given to a graduating student who has completed all the specified history classes and demonstrates high standards of civic pride and American patriotism.

 

Candidates for 2018 Order of the Purple

 

Kansas Hometowns

 

Andover:

Jacqueline Birkitt

Caitlyn Pfeifer *

Ashlie C D Clarck

Nicole Lynn Cunningham

Kaitlyn Anna-Rebecca Jonson

Taylor Michelle Sears*

Dakotah Smith

Lander Walker*

Lauren Michaley Hugo*

Mattie Jo Lippoldt*

Emily Rishel

Avery Cunningham*

Kennedy Nicole Henry*

Sidney Alexa Rucker*

 

Argonia:

Dalton Kemper Good

 

Arkansas City:

Emily Flickinger

 

Augusta:

Taylor Janelle Walker *

Jayden Austin*

Michael Bruce

Alex Busch

Brooklyn Flower*

Katie Lindner*

Teresa M Litton*

Brooke Patterson*

 

Benton:

Garrett Hyslop

Keegan J Leth-Nissen

 

Derby:

Jerry D Berry 

Alexis Tiffany DeVous

Jared McDaniel

Raylor N Silvia

Kerry Beth Borko

Benjamin R Graber

Michaela Lynn Hansen

Kaitlin Jean Hartman*

Nathan C. Quinton*

Brady Rust

Samantha Spade Simmons*

McKenzie L Young

 

Douglass:

Madison Mabie*

 

El Dorado:

Kara Washington

Lewis William Cain

Cameron Smith

Taylor M Allison*

KaCee Conine*

Madison L Hallmark*

Yasmine Kabutu*

Isabella Marguerite Pierard Rausch*

Noah Stewart*

 

Elbing:

Sara Boehm*

Eudora:

Austin Steven McNorton*

 

Hayesville:

Kyle A. Manny

Kylee Roeder*

 

Goddard:

Hannah Brianne Daily

Seth Charles Creason*

 

Marion:

Shonda I Ratzloff

 

Maize:

Madison Sue Fitzmirer

Caroline Nordberg

Sierra J Pieschl*

Kalin Michael Blackburn

Allison J Pieschl*

Jesse W. Moore

 

Mulvane:

Sydney Brown*

Kelsea Miller*

Adam Mouak*

Peyton Rene Haynes*

Kelsea Miller*

Emma R Springer*

Haley Diane Wood*

Protection:

Emily Kay Vaught*

 

Richmond:

Grady D Schuster*

 

Rose Hill:

Teresa L Conduff

Katie Dawn Cox*

Jillian Elizabeth Harper*

Shalen Willkinson*

Chloe Hager*

Jason W Gilchrist

Kelsea M. Kill*

Madison Rae Olson*

Tabitha Noelle Slater

Madison Walls*

Danyel Yardley*

 

Topeka

Jessica Ramirez

 

Towanda:

Emma Hufman

Abigail L Yamamoto*

Bailey Madison Counterman*

Tara A Varner*

Mark Walthers*

Reagan Elizabeth Wilson*

 

Valley Center:

Chance William Berschuer

 

Viola:

Brett Robinson

 

Whitewater:

Grace Louise Graham*

 

Wichita:

Hannah H. Dalhaus

Youssouph Dieme*

Khanya J Dith

Kimberly Samantha Kaufman

Nicole R McFaul

Caitlin Rose Sader*

Brandy L Schwarz *

Emily Son*

Katie Thomas*

Vanessa West

Matthew P. Wood*

Nathan Charles Keck

Luan Thanh Nguyen*

Ryan Quillen

Julia Ann Risley

Sidney Alexa Rucker*

Kara Washington

Kristen Hammerton

Kevin Victor Morales

Ashley Thoreen*

 

Out of State Graduates

Gilbert, Ariz.:

Rebekah Huckaby

 

Broomfield, Colo.:

Damian G. St. Aubin

 

Colorado Springs, Colo.:

Kevin Victor Morales

 

Fowler, Ind.:

Kenzie M Kretzmeier

 

Brimfield, Mass.:

Timothy Portwood*

 

Tekonsha, Mich.:

Daniel Flynn

 

Deerfield, Mo.:

Kaylee Jo Farmer *

 

Kansas City, Mo.:

Jessica Naomi Brashears*

 

Ozark, Mo.:

Areona Jo Conrad

 

Sikeston, Mo.:

Lora Ann Tanner*

 

Page, Neb.

Miles Stagemeyer

 

Adair, Okla.:

Corey Dillon Murphy*

 

Eagle Point, Ore.

Ryan Gifford*

 

Austin, Texas:

Ashley Nicole Cool*

 

Ropesville, Texas:

Cooper Dale Carlisle

Legend:

*Phi Theta Kappa Member (National Honors Society serving American institutions that offer Associate degree programs. Its purpose is to recognize and encourage scholarship among associate degree students.)