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Butler Community College honored 125 students during the Early College Academy (ECA) graduation celebration on Saturday, May 9, recognizing graduates who completed college-level coursework while still in high school. The ECA offers high school students a head start in their academic and career journeys through a variety of pathway and certificate options. Students spend part of their day at their respective high schools and the remainder on a Butler campus, including El Dorado, Andover or Rose Hill, depending on their chosen pathway. Professor of Biology Melissa Elliott delivered faculty

Butler Community College’s theater program brought fast-paced comedy and bold physical storytelling to the stage with its recent production of The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare, performed April 16–18. Directed by Erin Urick, the production re-imagined the classic farce through the lens of Commedia dell’Arte, an Italian Renaissance performance style known for exaggerated movement, distinct stock characters and expressive masks. Butler students embraced the challenge, transforming the play into a vibrant, highly physical experience designed to engage audiences from the first moment.

Butler Community College’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter received recognition at the state, regional and international levels this year, highlighted by seven students being named to the prestigious All-Kansas Academic Team. The All-Kansas Academic Team recognizes outstanding community college students for academic achievement, leadership and service. Butler students honored in the Workforce pathway were Woosung Lee, Emmanuela Lum Forbacha and Allison Voges. Students recognized in the Transfer pathway were Fay Belair, Blayke Locke, Ritu Niroula and Misty Rueda. “I consider it a great honor and

Butler’s eight Vocal Music student ensembles continue to be a community gem, both on campus and in the surrounding area. Performers sing, dance and play instruments to dazzle audiences. They build professional skills and lifelong connections under the direction of experienced coaches: Valerie Mack, Matthew Udland, Chad Ingram, Amanda Pfenninger and Doris Prater. Although live performances are the highlight of these ensembles, the rehearsals and time spent together off-stage will forever be a memorable experience for these students. "I’m so much more outgoing than I ever used to be and

A recent visit from U.S. Congressman Ron Estes to Butler Community College’s welding facility in Rose Hill highlighted the strength of the college’s hands-on workforce training model and its deep ties to local partners. Estes toured the facility, located on the campus of Rose Hill High School, and watched students demonstrate what they’ve learned in their classes. The congressman said the visit gave him a chance to see the impact of the college’s partnerships up close. “It was great to visit with Butler Community College at Rose Hill to see their new partnership that includes incredible

The Erman B. White Gallery at Butler Community College in El Dorado is hosting a Spring Student Art Exhibition as its final exhibition of the 2025-2026 season. Butler art professor Kevin Kelly called this year’s annual highlight, juried by University of Kansas professor of art Michael McCaffrey, “a diverse mix of talent and creativity.” The exhibition runs through May 5 during regular gallery hours, Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Quick Details What: Spring Student Art Exhibition Where: Erman B. White Gallery of Art, 901 S Haverhill Rd, El Dorado, KS 67042 (700 Building) When: April 16 - May

Two Kansas Association of Broadcasters Student Production awards are headed to Butler Community College, with students Evan Sinclair of Everest, KS, and Cole Wert of Wichita earning recognition for their work in video and audio programming. Sinclair received First Place in Video Vertical Video for “Surviving West Hall,” while Wert earned Second Place in Audio Best Feature for “Band Mini Features.” The annual KAB Student Production Awards bring together submissions from two-year and four-year undergraduate and graduate programs across Kansas, with Butler the only two-year institution recognized

Butler Community College professor Kathy McCoskey has been recognized by the Kansas Board of Regents with the 2026 Sunflower Award for Corequisite Innovation, honoring her leadership in advancing student success through innovative English instruction. McCoskey has been instrumental in developing Butler’s Accelerated Learning Program (ALP), a teaching model that pairs developmental coursework with the college-level gateway course English Composition I. Since helping launch the program in 2013, she has contributed to improved outcomes for Butler students and helped shape broader adoption of

Written by Caleb Sanderson In early February, LPN Advanced Standing student Hayley Campbell-Zirkel lost her El Dorado home and belongings to a fire. With classes the very next day and being newly displaced, Hayley was concerned about both home and school. Thanks to the aid of Butler Nursing faculty Janet Doremus and others, Hayley now feels more secure in both. On a day of studying and family time, Hayley’s life was disrupted as soon as her mom opened their attached garage door to a blazing fire. Faced with an emergency, Hayley’s nursing instincts kicked in to calmly escort her mom and brother

Butler Community College English professor Andrea McCaffree-Wallace has been named the 2026 recipient of the Butler Community College Education Association (BCCEA) Master Teacher Award, recognizing her commitment to teaching, student success and service to the college. The BCCEA has honored an outstanding faculty member with the Master Teacher Award each year since 1973, recognizing instructors who exemplify student engagement, scholarship, excellent teaching skills and service to both the college and the association. “We received more nominations than usual this year, which made the selection