Butler Community College students closed another chapter in their lives Saturday during Butler's 81st Commencement Ceremonies.

"Graduates, you are at the very heart of what this is about," said Leann Ellis, vice president of academic affairs.

But, she said, it was also about more than just them.

"You don't achieve this milestone without assistance from others," Ellis said.
Those people included faculty, families, friends and others.

"On behalf of all at Butler, we want you to know it has been our privilege to have you at Butler," she said.

Carter Zerbe, chair of the Board of Trustees, also offered some words of encouragement to the students.

"This is a great day for all of us," Zerbe said.

"In that folder," he said pointing to the diplomas, "the paper you see is a  reflection of your hard work, economic investment and sacrifice. As we recognize the best in all of you, I want to remind you, you never really leave Butler."

Further words of advice came from the commencement speaker, Master Teacher Freda Briggs, who has taught at Butler for 16 years.

She talked about the PACT or agreement included in each course outline at Butler.
"Our PACT promotes skills in four areas," she said.

These areas include personal development, analytic thinking, community development and technological development.

"Now it's your turn to make a pact," she said. "What pact you make and who you make it with, I'll leave that up to you."

She offered some skills for the students' pacts.

The first was to Participate.

She encouraged students to vote in the elections.

"Take it upon yourself to be an informed voter," she said.

She also encouraged them to participate in service of some kind.

The second aspect of the pact is to Appreciate.

"People who are consciously grateful are more energetic, more creative and more resilient," Briggs said. "Don't leave campus today without thanking at least five people."

The C in PACT was to Cultivate.

She said cultivating character is important.

"It's our character who really defines who we are," she said. "Character is doing the right thing even when no one is watching. That is how you cultivate character."

The final part of the PACT is to Translate.

"I have had the privilege of reading many of your stories," she said.
She encouraged them to tell more people their stories.

"Translate your experiences into stories," she said. "They will both heal and nourish you and others."

During the ceremony, the Order of the Gold recipients also were recognized, as was the Hubbard Award of Excellence 2008 Scholar, Wesley Nyberg.