Butler Holds 98th Commencement

Written by: Caleb Sanderson

Butler Community College held the 98th Commencement and 77th annual Honors and Awards Recognition Ceremony on Friday, May 16. Four hundred and seventy-four students walked at commencement, while more than 600 students earned their respective degrees. More than 30 students earned their GED diplomas or high school equivalency. 

The Hubbard Award of Excellence was established in 1985 by R.D. Hubbard to recognize and encourage excellence at Butler. This prestigious award is the highest achievement a Butler student can achieve and is presented annually at commencement with a transfer scholarship amount. Each year, a single recipient is chosen from 4-6 finalists who complete a thorough application and interview process to demonstrate their involvement, goals and challenges faced. 

Kassie Davis of Augusta (Douglass High School) received the 2025 Hubbard Award of Excellence, a $15,000 transfer scholarship. Davis is a Social Work major and plans to transfer to Friends University to continue her studies and eventually make a difference for children and families seeking stability. She is an active vocal music scholarship student and competed internationally with Butler’s A Cappella choir. 

Hubbard Award finalists included Ella Boozer of Andover, Allie Conard of Andover, Claire Lopez of Olathe, Cally Miller of El Dorado and Tucker Stagemeyer, Page, Neb. Award finalists will receive a smaller award. 

Ella Boozer of Andover received Butler Community College’s Board of Trustees Award, a $1,000 scholarship given to a student who is a resident of Butler County. Boozer is an active and accomplished journalist in the Mass Communication department and was the first female in 16 years to be awarded the Kansas Collegiate Media Journalist of the Year Award in 2024. Boozer plans to attend the University of Kansas and continue her journalism studies. 

In the early afternoon of commencement day, student scholars gathered with loved ones and esteemed faculty for various recognitions, including the Order of the Gold and Order of the Purple. 

Interim President Dr. Jacqueline Vietti welcomed graduates and their families to the honors ceremony. “You are joining an elite group of Butler scholars with your dedication to academic excellence through the Order of the Purple and Order of the Gold.  We’re excited this afternoon to recognize and celebrate your accomplishments.” Dr. Vietti also acknowledged Butler’s recently retired president Dr. Kim Krull for nearly 12 years of service to the college and community. 

Vice President of Student Services Bill Rinkenbaugh read the candidate names for Order of the Purple and Order of the Gold, who earned their respective medallions to be worn at the evening commencement. To receive an Order of the Purple designation, students must earn a GPA of 3.75 or higher, while Order of the Gold recipients must attain a 4.0 GPA. 

Dr. Vietti served as the Keynote Speaker and gave students sound advice in three points, noting people tend to remember patterns of three. “Always, always, always have a plan B. If plan A doesn’t work out, go forth and find a plan B. Always act with kindness. It costs nothing and it is priceless to others. Third thing, always be authentic to yourself.”  

Butler students were collectively offered at least $42,000 in transfer scholarships at the graduation events alone. Early College Academy students were collectively offered at least $500,000 in transfer scholarships. 

Mike Fields helped present the newly established Lindsey Carter Fields Memorial Science Scholarship in honor of his late wife and the biology department’s most recent chair, Lindsey Fields. Lindsey tragically passed in the American Airlines Flight 5342 crash in January 2025. This scholarship is awarded to an Early College Academy student pursuing a biology or science-related degree. The first recipient of this $1,500 memorial scholarship was Emmary Eagleson, who plans to continue her education in biology at the University of Oklahoma. 

Averie Nelson of the Butler Community College Foundation gave remarks about Lindsey. “Her influence extended beyond the classroom, she was an academic advisor, mentor, advocate, leader, and beacon of encouragement for both students and colleagues. Beyond science and teaching, Lindsey was a wife, a mother, and friend; all of which brought her great joy. In her spare time, she volunteered for Beauties and Beasts and served as a Key Spouse for the Kansas Air National Guard.” 

Fifty instructors received Outstanding Faculty certificates, who were nominated by the honors students for making the biggest difference in their Butler learning experience. 

Eight retiring faculty members were also recognized for their contributions to helping students reach their goals. Combined, the retirees have nearly 240 years of educational service at Butler. 

Several scholarships and recognitions were awarded at the graduation events, detailed below. 

Allie Conard received the Winnie L. Broers Scholarship. This $5,000 scholarship is awarded by the Butler Foundation to a graduating sophomore to attend the University of Kansas or Kansas State University for four semesters. 

Gavin Willett of Wichita received the Frank H. Cron History Award in the amount of $500. This award was established in 1982 and is given to a student earning an Associate of Science or an Associate of Arts degree in history who shows high standards of civic pride and American patriotism. Willet’s name will be added to a permanent plaque display at the Kansas Oil Museum, along with a medal and recognition in the local newspaper. 

Cole Paulek of Stonington, IL received the Jim & Susie Edwards Scholarship. Funded by two Butler Community College retirees, this $1,500 transfer scholarship recognizes the top sophomore on the livestock judging team and is given at the end-of-the-year livestock judging banquet.  

Ian Bench of Wichita received the HUEY (Humankind Understands Educating Youth) Award. The award was established in 1989 in memory of Gregory A. Bales (1965–89). It is given to a distinguished Order of the Purple graduate who possesses high standards for academic and extracurricular activities. 

Lily Vance of Augusta received the Fran Jabara Presidential Business Scholarship in the amount of $5,000. This scholarship is awarded to a graduating sophomore to study business at Wichita State University. 

Bridget Martin of Augusta received the David and Shirley Longfellow BEST Scholarship for $1,000. This scholarship was founded in 2019 by David and Shirley Longfellow to support an aspiring teacher planning to continue studies at Emporia State University.   

The Helen Teter Zebold Science Award was given to a graduating student who chose to remain confidential. This $1,500 scholarship was founded in 1984 and is given to a student committed to earning a bachelor’s degree in science, math or engineering. 

Evan Liess of El Dorado received the Outstanding BCTV Award. This is the first year this award has been given and is awarded to an actively involved BCTV student who has demonstrated excellence in the aspects of video streaming and event coverage. Liess received a $1,000 transfer scholarship and plans to attend Fort Hays State University. 

The full list of graduates, including Order of the Purple, Order of the Gold and members of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society, will be available at a later date. 

To view the photo album, visit https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCf8Lf