October 2018 Advancing Butler Newsletter

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

October 2018—VOL 6— Issue Five

Nearly 180 guests attended the President’s Donor Dinner, held on Sept. 6 in the Hubbard Welcome Center. The evening recognized 99 donors who reached new annual or lifetime giving levels during the past fiscal year (July 1, 2017-June 30, 2018). Jeremy Sundgren received the Distinguished Service Award for Directors of the Foundation Board. The Foundation Award for Distinguished Service to Butler Community College was presented to the Connell Family. Service awards are distinct to the college and are given to those who have been generous with their time, treasure, and talent. The Smorgaschords and Noteables quartets sang as guests arrived for the evening and fourth semester nursing student Natasha Nelson spoke to the crowd. “Without donors like you tuition would not be feasible, the positive vibe that engulfs us as students would not be here, and most importantly the ‘non-traditional’ student like myself would not have the opportunity to pursue a lifelong goal,” Nelson said. The evening was sponsored by Bank of America, Commerce Bank, INTRUST Bank, and ICI. Pictured (L-R): Noteables quartet, Natasha Nelson, Carolyn Connell receives distinguished service award.

Excellence in Diversity Awards Breakfast honors Envision and Patty Koehler (pictured), president of JR Custom Metal Products at a ceremony on Oct. 16 at Abode Venue. This annual event recognizes leaders in the community and raises awareness for Advance Kansas, Butler’s diversity leadership training program.

Jeannette Walls, author of The Glass Castle, will speak as part of the Harold Smith Cultural Series at Butler on October 22. This event, free and open to the public, is made possible by the Foundation.

Walls’ memoir of growing up in poverty was made into a movie starring Woody Harrelson in 2017. Her speaking engagement will be at 7:00 p.m. in the Hubbard Welcome Center in El Dorado. She will be available to sign copies of her book following the presentation. Please join us!

Two dear friends, mentors, and donors have left us.

Mary K Connell, generous Butler supporter, passed away in September.

Mary K’s legacy of kindness will forever live on and we are so grateful for her many years of friendship.

Retired Chief Information Officer, Tom Erwin, passed away in August. Tom transformed the IT department during his 30+ years and left his mark on the college and our hearts forever. Both of these generous individuals honored us with memorial gifts that may be given to the O.J. & Mary K Connell Presidential Scholarship for Ag and the Tom Erwin Technology Fund, respectively.

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.