For decades, Mary and Jim Eaton were stalwarts of the El Dorado community. Over that period of time, they created over three dozen businesses, created many jobs, contributed to the economy, and raised seven children. They participated with St. John’s church,...

Fire & Iron Motorcycle Club, Station 54 Scholarship

Mr. and Mrs. F. Jay Lawrence established the Perry W. & Dorothy R. Henman Endowed Scholarship in 1998 in honor of Perry and Dorothy. Dorothy became a licensed practical nurse after the age of 40. This scholarship supports a non-traditional student studying nursing...

The Florence Kehr Excellence in Agriculture Scholarship was established in 1982 by Florence Kehr, a Newton resident. Florence and her husband also contributed to a campus construction project in the 500 Building. Florence lived in the northern part of Butler County...

Forrest and Tiffany established this scholarship during The Forever Butler Campaign. Forrest and Tiffany both have a tremendous love of animals. Forrest serves on the Butler Foundation Board of Directors and Tiffany is the Assistant Director of Human Resources at...

Edwin Walbourn Scholarship

Frank and Beverly established a legacy at Butler with their three scholarships that assist students in various areas of study. Frank received an associate degree from Butler and his law degree from Washburn University. He served in the Kansas legislature as a...

About the Frank & Sally Freeman Scholarship: Frank joined the Foundation Board of Directors in 1994. He served as vice president in 1997, president in 1998 & 1999. Frank and Sally know how important it is for young people to have funds available to further their...

The Fred L. Green Scholarship was established in 1990 in memory of Fred Green, El Dorado resident. He was best known as a pilot and flight instructor and taught more than 100 people to fly. For several years, Fred taught the science of flight at Butler Community...

Don and Linda Billingsley were long time El Dorado residents. The both graduated from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Don was an electrical engineer for Skelly, Getty, and Texaco pipelines while in Kanas. Linda as an elementary school teacher early...

Lynn Havel become an art instructor and tennis coach at Butler County Community College for 31 years, inspiring generations of students with his talent, patience, and genuine love for the arts. Lynn was not only a talented artist but also a passionate man of many...

Steve Braet’s coaching career began in 1979 as an unpaid volunteer assistant and officially ended on February 1, 2022, as the associate head coach/defensive line coach for Butler. Braet has been the common link to all six NJCAA National Championships for the Butler...

This scholarship was established in honor of Susan Lilla Galbraith. Susan attended the University of Kansas and Research Medical Center School of Nursing. She was a registered nurse for nearly forty years. Susan will be remembered for her compassion and generosity....

The George & Esther Neumeyer Scholarship was established in 1984. Esther studied nursing in Hutchinson, Kansas and received her R.N. in 1929. In 1939 she became head nurse of Remington Arms Company in Bridgeport, Connecticut and after retiring in 1975, remained...

This fund was created with the proceeds from the Butler Community College Foundation’s first Grizzly Invitational Golf Tournament, instituted and chaired by Rocky Waitt of the Foundation Board of Directors. Funds are continuously added to the growth of this...

Gene Adams served and retired as president of Walnut Valley State Bank (now Commerce Bank) in El Dorado, Kan. He was heavily involved in the El Dorado community. Gene served the Endowment Association (now Butler Foundation) as campaign chairman for its first capital...

The Camarena’s have exemplified the American dream of hard-working entrepreneurs making a way and a name for themselves. Gene was born in Salina, Kan. and is President/CEO of La Raza Pizza, Inc., one of the top 150 largest Hispanic-owned companies in America. Gene...

George was a longtime member of the Life Enrichment group at Butler. Having grown up in Missouri, he and Frances settled in El Dorado in 1938 where, together with George’s cousin, they formed Banks Construction Company. George was highly involved in El Dorado...

The Haines Family Scholarship began with the memorial gifts from the passing of Vernice Haines. Vernice, a Butler alumna, was a long-time educator in the El Dorado area. Additionally, Gerald Haines, as well as he and Elsie’s children; Cynthia, Dan, Bryan, Jerri and...

For 33 years, Gladys taught English, French, and Spanish at Butler, some of those years at the original site of the college, which was in the El Dorado High School. She was an original sponsor of the Order of the Purple academic honors ceremony at Butler and kept the...

About the Gladys L. Squier Scholarship: Gladys Squier, a longtime resident of Beaumont, Kan. along with her husband James Clinton Squier, owned and operated the Beaumont Hotel while managing their ranch. Gladys had great affection for the people and the environment....

The Glenna Rodman-Monfort Memorial Scholarship was established in July 2009 by Glenna’s children. Glenna was an educator in Greenwood County for many years. Her family hopes to honor her memory through this scholarship.

Harold H. Kling was born in 1922 on a farm near Howard, Kan. After serving as a navigator on a B-24 bomber airplane in WWII, Harold returned to Kansas and farmed until 1963. In 1966, Harold started with Beech Aircraft as a data writer and retired as a technical...

VanBuren Family Scholarship

The Kathryn & Harry Day Scholarship for Nursing was established in 1990 by her husband Harry Day, their son, Dr. Jon Day and their daughter Suzanne Day Woods. Kathryn Day was a lifetime resident of Butler county and sister to Wilda Courser, Butler County Community...

In 1987, former Governor Mike Hayden and former Executive Vice President of the El Dorado Chamber of Commerce Marv McCown along with other key community members founded the Kansas Governor’s One Shot Turkey Hunt with the concept of inviting key people from different...

About the Helen Galloway Scholarship for the Visual Arts: Helen Galloway says that in her 30 years in business, she’s been blessed with success and it’s her desire to give back to the community however she can. Galloway is generous in business, too. Visitors to her...

The Ray Sparks & Helen Reynolds Scholarship for Art & Creative Writing was established in 1996 for art and creative writing students in memory of Raymond Sparks, a Butler Community College adjunct instructor, by his sister Helen Reynolds.

The Herbert H. & Lois A. Hart Scholarship was established in 1982 by Herbert and Lois Hart. Mr. Hart was in the oil business in Butler County. Mr. Hart passed away in 1993 and Mrs. Hart passed away a few years later in 1999. The Hart’s were friends with Sandra...

Herb and Melinda honored the legacy of their son through the Ronald James (R.J.) Gaines Memorial Scholarship. R.J. was a fine arts student at butler who was always smiling and helping. R.J. died in a car accident, but his name lives on through the scholarship...