The Legacy of Rev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts

“Rev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts III has left a legacy from which faith communities in Harlem will draw inspiration for generations. He challenged white supremacist power structures and confronted our nation’s historic and current racist reality. The Riverside Church joins with our sister churches in Harlem, across the nation, and around the globe as we continue to witness to the work of this prophetic giant, which was ultimately the work of Jesus Christ. Dr. Butts will be greatly missed and we are honored to join our community in celebrating him.”

Rev. Adriene Thorne, Senior Minister, The Riverside Church in the City of New York 490 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10027 www.trcny.org

On behalf of the officers and members of the General Baptist Convention of New Jersey we are honored to join the Positive Community in paying tribute to Rev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts III. He was truly an inspiration to our faith community.

tween a secular education and spiritual guidance. A devout Christian, he encourages others to embrace their own religious beliefs and faith practices and acknowledges the similarities between most major faiths. “I know God through Christ,” he explained. “But because a person says, ‘I am Muslim and I know God through Allah and the revelation He gave the Prophet Muhammad and I am going to seek peace, love, and justice,’ we’re the same people… we believe fundamentally in the same thing.” Butts supports his congregants’ curiosity and thirst for information equally as much as he does his students’. His approach creates space for people to learn, explore, and grow.

Butts also possesses a certain amount of cultural currency among the student body. In addition to being known for his ministry, teaching, and community building, many of Old Westbury’s students know him through some of their favorite music. Butts has been name checked in songs by several major rappers including Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and Ice Cube. He also held his own in a debate with Ice-T regarding the content of hip hop music.

As he prepares to close his chapter as president at Old Westbury, Butts reflects upon what he considers one of his greatest accomplishments in his 20 years there. “Reviving the spirit and mission of Old Westbury, to treat it like it’s a pearl of great value and nourish it so it can speak to the needs of poor peo- ple.” He recalled an interview upon his arrival at the school when someone commented, “the school is dead.” Without missing a beat Butts replied, “Well you have somebody in the right business, resurrection.” He leaves the position of president of Old Westbury with the largest enrollment and highest admissions standards in its history, making it more competitive than ever. But in the true fashion of a dedicated educator and activist he said, “I’ll never stop working for Old Westbury, or the State University, or the City University; I’ll be an advocate for public higher education.”

While he is technically retiring, Rev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts III will undoubtedly continue his work as an educator, a minister, a husband, father, and grandfather. He’ll continue to touch lives, shepherd souls, improve communities, and spread both knowledge and love. “One of the driving forces in my life has been to make my parents proud and happy with the things I was doing,” he explained. “At another point in my life it was elevated to pleasing God.” While I can only speak as an earthly being, I think it’s safe to say Butts has done exactly that. Well done, Sir; mission accomplished.