• MEET THE JUDGES MAY/JUNE 2016 THE SHOWTIMES
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Located on the front porch of the Flint Hills, El Dorado, Kansas is home to Butler Community College. With an enrollment of approximately 8,000 students, Butler has the resources necessary to provide a top-notch education and to deliver unparalleled support to the school’s extracurricular teams. In fact, it’s that combination of classroom learning and hands-on experience that has allowed the Butler Livestock Judging Team to post a cumulative GPA of 3.7 while still fielding one of the most competitive squads on the junior college judging circuit. It is rare to find a program with an unwavering passion for excellence in the classroom and livestock industry that still know how to enjoy life and the college experience. It’s this rare combination that compels students to come to the Butler program. Academically, Butler is continuously ranked as one of the premier community colleges in the country. In particular, the Agriculture Department is dedicated to providing education of the highest quality. A recently renovated building and high quality facilities allow learning to occur in the most conducive environment possible. We believe that combining passionate, knowledgeable instructors with practical learning opportunities gives our students a learning experience that is second to none. In regards to livestock judging, it only takes a brief walk through the halls of the Butler Ag Building to see the countless plaques, banners, and trophies that decorate the walls. These accolades include 57 champion or reserve-champion finishes at national competitions. In addition, Butler has fielded 48 All-Americans— more than double the amount of any other junior college program. That winning tradition is the result of a dedication to hard work and a commitment to excellence. At Butler, late night practices, long van rides, and hours upon hours of reasons practice are commonplace. But we believe that hard work is both a catalyst for success in the livestock judging arena and a major contributor to the formation of high character individuals. Perhaps that is the reason that so many of the livestock industry’s leaders are products of the Butler program. In fact, Butler alumni include not only successful stockmen and women, but they are also well represented in fields such as medicine, law, and academia. And in the end, that remains the ultimate goal that drives the Butler Livestock Judging Programto generate motivated, capable, driven individuals who maintain character and integrity long after their time on the judging team.