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Thursday,
February 26, 2004 |
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University
to commend minister’s hard work
Minister
John Butler will be recognized for his contributions to
the campus community.
By
Amy
Bowman
Staff Reporteruthor
The Rev. John Butler, a minister to the university, will
be honored in a ceremony from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday in the
Student Center Ballroom. After more than 25 years of service
to students and staff, Butler is leaving TCU due to an
illness with multiple sclerosis.
Butler will be honored for his contributions to the TCU
community and the legacy he will leave behind.
Butler came to the university as a psychologist in the
counseling center and moved to University Ministries in
1975. Since then, Butler has worked with organizations
and programs such as Habitat for Humanity, HIV Planning
Council, the TCU Recycling Program and Hunger Week.
The programs Butler has participated in gave students
a chance to be educated about problems that society faces
both nationally and worldwide, said Carolyn Rowell, a
former administrative assistant to Butler.
Butler said it’s important for students to get involved
with community service programs to discover their place
and make a difference in a particular part of the world.
“Students learn transferable skills and experiences
that define who they are,” Butler said.
Butler’s most important goals at TCU were to include
all faiths and bring diversity to campus, said Kay Higgins,
director of special programs for Student Development Services.
“John has the ability to bring people together to
teach them a message about what faith and hope mean to
the TCU community,” Higgins said. “No matter
what faith, he included all students’ religions.”
Rowell said students would stop by the office to discuss
topics such as classes, beliefs and world events in an
open environment.
“John’s was the quiet presence that made University
Ministries a place of love, security and acceptance to
the students - their ‘home away from home’,”
she said.
Butler said he has enjoyed being at TCU because of the
quality of commitment to education that is built around
an individual and where they are going in the world.
“The kind of commitment the TCU mission statement
has through individuals is inspiring and gave energy to
me to aspire in this community,” he said.
Three years ago, Butler received the Alexander Campbell
Award, which is the highest award in the Division of Higher
Education of the Christian Church. |
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