The Butler Community College Board of Trustees recognized several individuals at their August meeting Tuesday.
The board bestowed an Honorary degree posthumously upon Chris Gordon after his battle with bone cancer.
Megan Gordon, his wife; Mark Gordon, his father; and Leann Ehler, his mother, accepted the award on his behalf.
The El Dorado Hospice Care of Kansas Team and Chaplain Mark Sommerville were present.
“He (Gordon) was an instigator of part of a chess club,” said Sommerville. “He was one of the organizers of the first chess tournament they’ve had several years.
“Unbeknownced to him a disease slipped into his body. He was unable to continue his education at Butler, which was his goal.”
The last few years of his life Gordon signed on with Hospice Care of Kansas and Sommerville explained the team had an opportunity to do what they could to bring some of Gordon’s dreams to fulfillment.
“One of his goals was that he still wanted that diploma from Butler,” he said. “I contacted the college, Dr. Vietti and others here at the college, and Butler takes the ball and runs with it, that’s why I’m proud to be an alumni. I know Butler is going to get things done and this means so much to his family.”
Carter Zerbe, board chair, presented Megan Gordon with the award.
“Thank you for being with us tonight,” said Jackie Vietti, president.
The board continued with additional recognitions.
Members of the El Dorado Relay for Life Butler Team – Book’n Babes, the college’s library team were recognized. The team included Judy Bastin, Micaela Ayers, Jan Boehm, Sheryl Dunbar, Martha Gregg, Cindy Maxey, Michael Osterbuhr and Michelle Schwein.
The board also recognized the 2007-2008 volleyball team and Coach Rick Younger.
The team was given the American Volleyball Coaches Association Team Academic Award.
“These awards go out to teams that match their dedication to volleyball with their dedication to academics,” said Vietti. “We’re very proud to recognize them.”
“Next we’d like to recognize more of our brightest and best,” she continued. “We have a grass roots organization in Kansas called Colleague to Colleague. It’s a great organization for people to share their thoughts.”
Linda Wapelhorst received the Outstanding Technical Support Staff Award and Anita Mills received the Jonathon Bacon Outstanding Leadership Award.
Crystal Crank was also recognized by the board, receiving a commendation from a Financial Aid Parent.
