February 2019 Advancing Butler Newsletter

Advancing Butler From the desk of Stacy Cofer Vice President of Advancement

January 2019—VOL 7— Issue One

Economics professor Noreen Templin, Ph.D., has been named as the Master Teacher for 2019! Every year the Butler Community College Education Association selects one deserving recipient for this prestigious honor.

The Master Teacher exemplifies the best in instruction and professional development. Templin is granted the opportunity to deliver the keynote address at the Order of the Purple academic honors ceremony that takes place prior to commencement in May. Congratulations on this welldeserved recognition!

Student Scholarship Highlight "This scholarship will contribute to my success which allows me to focus on my studies so I can achieve the life I want for myself. I will graduate high school with an associate degree in Health Science." - Jaci B., Early College Academy student, Grizzly Success Scholarship recipient Your gifts make a difference in the lives of hundreds of students annually, just like Jaci. Thank you for your continued giving!

Changes planned for 2019 commencement ceremonies.

With the exponential growth in the number of graduates choosing to participate in commencement, an internal committee decided that this May the commencement ceremony will be held as one, rather than two, and will be at the BG Products Veterans Sports Complex. We are excited to be able to accommodate our graduates, friends, and families as they celebrate this special occasion.

DID YOU KNOW? Former Grizzly athlete Ufomba Kamalu became the first Butler football player to win a Super Bowl! Kamalu played on the defensive line at Butler in 2012 before transferring to Miami and was voted their defensive player of the year in 2015. Kamalu was drafted by the Houston Texans in 2016 and signed to the New England Patriots in 2018.

Do you have to take mandatory IRA disbursements?

An excellent way to capitalize on this giving season is to use your IRA charitable rollover! Donors who are age 70 1/2 or older can make gifts this way. The gift counts against your required minimum distribution for the year and is excluded from taxable income—a great tax benefit. A strategy for both itemizers and non-itemizers, donors can give up to $100,000 from their IRA to support a charitable cause.

Simply notify your IRA custodian to make a gift this way and feel free to call our office with any questions.

QUESTIONS? Please call me at 316.323.6729 or e-mail scofer@butlercc.edu ADVANCING BUTLER is provided to individuals and businesses to advance philanthropy at Butler Community College.