EVERY HOUR COUNTS! Log in to track your volunteer hours

The Butler Service Learning Program’s Grizzlies Give Back Day on Saturday April 27 was supported by 140-plus Butler volunteers and served 13 sites in Butler County for a grand tally of 700 service hours!

Sites served include Augusta Housing Authority, City of Augusta, Bethlehem House, Trinity United Methodist Church, Alex’s House (No Kill Dog Rescue), Grizzly Villas, Educare, Butler Athletics, Numana Inc., Kids Need 2 Eat, Interfaith Ministries and the Butler County Oil & History Museum.

 The last date to log community service-learning hours for spring 2013 transcripts is Friday, May 10. Students, if you want your transcript to show your service hours at Butler you must use Volgistics (VICNET) to “Log it or lose it!”

Your hours help document the many ways in which the college fulfills its mission to the community. Every hour counts!

Don’t wait until the last minute to log your hours. To log hours, use the Service Learning Login in your Pipeline Quick Clicks or the links below.

NOTE: Hours for Grizzlies Give Back Day have been logged for you, so please do NOT log those hours. Thanks!

LOGIN: https://www.volgistics.com/ex/portal.dll/?FROM=6575

REGISTER: https://www.volgistics.com/ex/portal.dll/ap?AP=924184003

And now for some photos of Grizzlies giving back on April 27:

Wichita Developer George Laham inspires Butler students

Last week, Butler students were treated to wisdom from Wichita-area property developer George Laham, whose work is responsible for visioneering such areas as the Plazzio and Bradley Fair shopping districts. Laham took a break from his busy schedule to share some stories from his early career and inspire our students with tales of the power of perseverance and big dreams. Laham also answered questions from the crowd about his thoughts on the future of Wichita’s development.

This event was hosted as part of Butler’s Entrepreneurship Institute’s semi-regular forums designed to bring big names in local business to Butler students. For more information on the Entrepreneurship Institute, visit our website.

Gov. Brownback checks in with Butler during higher ed tour

During a tour of Kansas higher education institutions, Gov. Sam Brownback made some time for Butler, where he spoke with students and administrators, learning more about some of the powerful things we do every day. The Governor discussed his plans for higher ed budgeting and the upcoming fiscal year’s impact on colleges and universities across the state. He heard from a number of students who illuminated just some of the remarkable programs at Butler.

Grizzly Adventures Course gets $10,000 boost to improve ADA accessibility accommodations

Butler’s Grizzly Adventures Challenge Course is on the way to becoming more accessible to those with physical limitations after receiving a nearly $10,000 grant from The Felix A. Cantrell, Jr. Charitable Trust last week.

Course director Shane Steinkamp expects $5,500 of the requested money to go toward construction enhancements for the physically challenged and the other $4,500 will provide scholarships and develop outreach opportunities for some 100 area youth in grades 6 through 12 to participate in the Grizzly Adventures Challenge Course.

“Funding at this level will provide the needed enrichment to assure access and boundless participation for youth of all abilities,” Steinkamp said.

Steinkamp says there is a significant need for strong communication, decision making, conflict resolution, and leadership skills, which he feels the course provides for area youth.

“The Grizzly Adventures Challenge Course provides a comprehensive program to teach those skills and many more,” he said.  ”This grant will expand the reach of our program and provide opportunities to develop workforce skills necessary today and tomorrow for area youth with physical limitations.”

The Felix A. Cantrell, Jr. Charitable Trust was established by Ms. Jeanette Rudy in June 1998.  Distributions from the Trust are used for such charitable purposes that provide – directly or indirectly – aid and assistance to handicapped individuals, or to organizations or entities established to provide aid and assistance to handicapped individuals in Butler County and particularly the city of El Dorado.  To date, the Trust has gifted over $159,000 to more than 40 applications for assistance. Trust committee members consist of Gayle Arnett, Neil Buckman, Ed Gard, Jean Plummer and Stan Seymour.

“Ms. Rudy was a wonderful lady with a vision for how she could improve the lives of those with special needs in El Dorado and Butler County,” Gard said. “Her foresight of creating and funding a charitable trust will continue to provide significant benefit for years to come.”

The Trust’s gifts have purchased a variety of equipment to assist and improve accessibility for individuals, and resources to make physical improvement to homes and public facilities, including Coutts Museum of Art, Butler County History Center, Summit Park and BG Products Veterans Stadium Children’s Recreation Area.

 

Artwork Dedication at Butler Community College’s El Dorado Campus

The Butler Community College Foundation recently hosted a dedication ceremony in the Ted & Barb Dankert Trustee Room located in the Hubbard Welcome Center on Butler’s El Dorado Campus, revealing the latest addition to the college’s art collection. Held on Tuesday April 2, 2013, the piece River Work by Kansas artist, Lisa Grossman was presented to the community. The 42 x 144 inch horizontal oil painting on canvas depicts a portion of the Kansas River from an aerial perspective.

Grossman is a painter and printmaker based in Lawrence, Kansas, whose work focuses on the open spaces and prairies of Eastern Kansas and the Kansas River Valley.  She spent the afternoon with Butler art students and later spoke at the Foundation event.

“My Kansas River work has a minimal, contemporary feel, while still conveying warmth and an emotional depth,” Grossman said.

The acquisition of River Work was made possible by the generosity of donors to the Hubbard Welcome Center Entry Artwork project initially conducted in honor of Dr. Jackie Vietti, then President of Butler at the time of the dedication of the new facility.  The fundraising effort was so successful, that there were extra funds available after the kinetic sculpture by Stuart Allen was installed in the Lattner Family Foundation Entryway.  The college’s art selection committee, composed of internal faculty members and community leaders, was tasked with determining how to use the extra funds.

Spring Fling – Here’s what you missed!

Andover – April 9

El Dorado – April 11

Power is here! Enroll today for summer and fall 2013!

Take your future for an inspiring ride.

Good news. Enrollment for Fall classes is now open. Remember: be sure to enroll early for the best chance to get the classes you need to stay on track. Plus, jumpstart your Associate degree by taking a few classes over the summer.

Go ahead. Get started today.

The Power of Summer

Taking classes at Butler this summer is smart, simple and incredibly savvy. Tailored to 8 weeks, summer courses at Butler can give you a jumpstart on college, fast-track your associate degree or provide classes that transfer to your university at half the cost you’re paying now.

Enroll for Fall

At Butler, you get a powerful education you just won’t find anywhere else.

That means choices in degree programs, classes that transfer with ease and flexible scheduling – including traditional, evening, one day a week, online or blended. And that means Butler will give you the power to learn for a change; and all at $95 a credit hour.

To get ready to enroll, check out our Enrollment Checklist to make sure you’ve got everything you need. You can start searching for the classes you want right here.

Every Day Counts 

And it’s never been more important to enroll early. Butler Community College students must be enrolled in class before it has met. In the past, students could enroll after the first day of class. However that is no longer the case. Every day counts! Students are more successful when they attend the first class meeting and maintain their attendance throughout the semester. That’s because the first day of class is one of the most important days. If you miss it, you will have a difficult time trying to catch up. So enroll today!

Skip the Wait. Make an Advising Appointment.

Make plans now to come in and talk with an advisor about enrolling for fall. Advisors see students by appointment on Monday/Friday and walk-ins are welcome on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Click here to make an advising appointment. For more information, call 316-218-6259 or 316-322-3163 .

SALT can spice up your financial aid experience!

Butler Community College has teamed up with American Student Assistance on a movement to address the college affordability issue by revolutionizing how students and alumni finance and repay their higher education. Through a free game-changing educational membership program called “SALT,” Butler and ASA are equipping students and alumni with money skills for life so they reduce their student loan debt, improve student loan repayment outcomes, and increase their overall financial empowerment.

While a college degree has never been more valuable than in today’s global economy, many students and families are unsure of how to successfully pay for higher education. Approximately 12 million students borrow for college each year but many make uninformed decisions, either borrowing more than they need or failing to take advantage of loans that offer the lowest rates and flexible payment options. Additionally, 37 million Americans already have existing college debt, with about one-quarter of these borrowers owing more than $28,000 and about 10 percent owing more than $54,000. More than 5 million Americans are behind on their student loan payments, with dire consequences on the U.S. economy as struggling student loan borrowers delay purchasing homes, cars and other consumer goods.

Activating your SALT membership allows you take advantage of members-only features, like:

• Interactive money management tools that show you how to take control of your finances.
• A personal dashboard that tracks all of your federal student loans from Saint Anselm in one place.
• Loan advice from SALT’s expert counselors.
• My Money 101—a self-paced, online resource that teaches you practical money management strategies for budgeting, credit cards, banking and more.
• Access to thousands of jobs and internships to jumpstart your career.
• Exclusive benefits that help you save and spend smart.

Butler and ASA are taking steps to address this higher education and economic crisis with SALT, a dynamic, multichannel educational program that combines online and offline interactions to deliver decision support, engaging content, and one-on-one loan repayment guidance in a simple, useful, and motivating experience.

SALT uses a variety of channels to meaningfully engage student and alumni members and positively influence behavior. Members receive proactive communication about student loan repayment options; one-on-one repayment counseling with student loan experts; a personalized online dashboard to track all their federal and private student loans in one place and compare payment options; a highly interactive Web financial education curriculum and other educational content; multiple “self-serve” web tools and calculators to assist with budgeting; in-person group financial education training at their higher education institution; advocacy and assistance with resolving complex student loan related problems; and meaningful benefits and incentives relevant to either the higher education experience or to the financial needs they face after completing college, such as assistance with job/internship and scholarship searches.

Butler joins a growing number of higher education institutions nationwide, from four-year private institutions to public institutions to community colleges, that have already signed on to the SALT movement. SALT schools’ students and alumni automatically become SALT members and gain full access to the program’s services. Multiple administrative offices on campus, from financial aid and the bursar to student affairs, alumni and development, will actively partner with ASA on a year-long “Get on the Money” campaign to drive SALT awareness and engagement among on-campus students and alumni.

As a public purpose nonprofit organization, ASA is committed to offering SALT services free of charge to student and alumni members whose higher education institutions participate in the program. In order to do so, ASA has established a contribution-based model whereby ASA seeks to engage multiple stakeholders interested in student success, including federal or state government entities, colleges and universities, foundations or other non-profit organizations and corporate sponsors, to contribute to the overall cost of delivering service.

“Butler is excited to join the SALT movement because we believe in the program’s principles of financial education and empowerment to help address the issues of college affordability and student debt,” said Butler Director of Financial Aid Susie Edwards. “Students and alumni deserve the proper support network to help them finance their education and manage any resulting debt. We are committed to playing our role in ensuring that students and alumni have access to these critical education debt management and financial education services.”

Butler Trustees and Foundation Board lead through exemplary giving

With an eye toward inspiring others to see the power of Butler, all the members of both the college’s Board of Trustees and the Foundation’s Board of Directors chipped in donations this year toward the Foundation’s Annual Fund. Participating at the $1,000 giving level, each of the board members have contributed to the Pacesetter Campaign.

The Foundation’s Pacesetter Campaign has raised more than $50,000 so far with sights set on a goal of $85,000, proceeds from which are designed to kickstart donations to the Annual Fund.

“Incredible leadership is exemplified in the Foundation Board of Directors and the Butler Community College Board of Trustees,” said Keri Myers, Butler Foundation Executive Director of Development. “This year, board members went above and beyond and both boards are at 100 percent giving at the $1,000 Pacesetter level! Thank you so much to our board members whose leadership in this initiative inspires others to do the same!”

Newman Civic Fellowship honors Butler student Renata Herrmann

Campus Compact has named 181 student leaders who have demonstrated an investment in finding solutions for challenges facing communities throughout the country as 2013 Newman Civic Fellows. Among the honorees is Butler Community College student Renata Herrmann. Nominated by their college and university presidents, these students are making the most of their college experiences to better understand themselves, the root causes of social issues, and effective mechanisms for creating lasting change.

Herrmann is a member of the Grizzly Ambassadors, the student organization dedicated to community service-learning at Butler Community College. She came to college already understanding servant-leadership, both from personal experience and from completing the Youth Leadership Butler program in high school.

As a Grizzly Ambassador, Herrmann spends time volunteering for Numana. Currently a recipient of a competitive scholarship for a special topics class in community action writing, Herrmann is working with five other hand-selected student leaders to study hunger and food insecurity both globally and locally.

As a student member of the Butler Hunger Team, she and her classmates will participate in the 2013 Universities Fighting World Hunger Summit. They will research and develop an action plan to address hunger among Butler Community College students and constituents. Their goal is to implement the action plan in the 2013-2014 academic year.

As these students tackle community challenges, they provide fresh energy and perspective, inspire and mobilize others, and develop their own skills and potential. Through service, research, and advocacy, Newman Civic Fellows are making the most of their college experiences to better understand themselves, the root causes of social issues, and effective mechanisms for creating lasting change.

“These students represent the next generation of public problem solvers and civic leaders. They serve as national examples of the role that higher education can—and does—play in building stronger communities,” notes Campus Compact President Maureen Curley. 

Newman Civic Fellow awards are made in memory of Dr. Frank Newman, a founder of Campus Compact, who dedicated his life to creating systemic change through education reform.  At the core of Dr. Newman’s leadership was a belief in the power of individuals to make a difference and in the power of connection with others. Frank Newman had a tremendous impact on American education and its role in the development of citizens who want to make a difference.  This class of Newman Civic Fellows embodies this spirit and dedication.

The Newman Civic Fellows Awards are made possible through the generous support of the KPMG Foundation.

Campus Compact is a national coalition of almost 1,200 college and university presidents who are committed to fulfilling the public purposes of higher education. As the only national higher education association dedicated solely to campus-based civic engagement, Campus Compact promotes public and community service that develops students’ citizenship skills, helps forge effective community/campus partnerships, and provides resources and training for faculty seeking to integrate civic and community-based learning into the curriculum. Campus Compact’s membership includes public, private, two- and four-year institutions across the spectrum of higher education. For more information, visit www.compact.org.