TCU Daily Skiff 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 Reporter
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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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