Outstanding academic achievements

TG news report

Butler Community College recognized its Order of the Purple graduates, students who maintain a 3.75 or higher grade point average, on May 11. This honor was established by the college to celebrate outstanding academic achievement by its students. Amongst Butler’s 2017-18 graduates, 129 of the more than 750 graduates were inducted into the Order of the Purple.
The Order of the Purple was established in spring 1937 to recognize graduates who were exceptional in scholarship, leadership, service and character. Today, to be eligible for this honor, students must have completed 30 hours at Butler and maintain a 3.75 or higher total grade point average. Students inducted into Order of the Purple receive a commemorative medallion to wear at Commencement to symbolize their academic accomplishment.
“With tonight’s celebration, you are joining a group of elite top scholars at Butler,” said Kim Krull, Ph.D., Butler Community College President.
The college’s Master Teacher, Donna Adams-Zimmerman, commended the scholars on their hard work and achievement. She explained that to lead a fulfilled life they must continue on their path and practice determination, persistence, accountability, lifelong learning and each of them must be able to challenge themselves.
“How much we enjoy what we have is more important than how much we have,” Adams-Zimmerman said. “It is the capacity to enjoy life that brings contentment. Reach for the stars and take tomorrow as the first step in a new day. If you fail, never give up because F.A.I.L. means ‘first attempt in learning.’”
The Helen Teter Zebold Science Award was given to Ryan Quillen. Quillen, from Wichita, majored in liberal arts. He is also in Butler’s Order of Gold, an organization that honors students who receive a 4.0 grade point average.  Helen Teter Zebold was one of Butler County’s leading philanthropists.  Born in 1912, Zebold attended Kansas State University.  This science award was established in Zebold’s memory and is given to a graduating sophomore majoring in science, math or engineering.
Kenzie Kretzmeier, an agriculture business major from Fowler, Ind. won the Winnie L. Broers Scholarship of $5,000.  Kretzmeier plans to attend Kansas State University in the fall and major in Agricultural Economics. This 2017-18 All-American Livestock Judge was on Butler’s Livestock Judging Team, which came in first in the nation. The Broers scholarship is given to a student that is planning to transfer to either the University of Kansas or Kansas State.
Emily Flickinger of Arkansas City received the Huey Award. Flickinger sang with the Headliners and Concert Choir. She plans to attend University of Central Oklahoma and major in music theatre. The Huey Award is given in honor of Gregory Bales “Huey” who earned an associate degree from Butler. Each year, the Huey Award is presented to an Order of the Purple graduate who possesses the same high standards for both academics and extra-curricular activities that Bales possessed.
The Frank H. Cron History award went to Katie Lindner of Augusta. Lindner plans to attend Kansas State University and major in secondary education and teach history.  Frank Cron (1868-1963) was a banker and philanthropist in El Dorado. Having been a school teacher in both Douglass and Augusta, Cron knew the value of education. Cron, the first president of the Butler County Historical Society, also understood the value of studying the past. The Cron award is given to a graduating student who has completed all the specified history classes and demonstrates high standards of civic pride and American patriotism.

Candidates for 2018 Order of the Purple
Andover: Jacqueline Birkitt, Caitlyn Pfeifer, Ashlie C D Clarck, Nicole Lynn Cunningham, Kaitlyn Anna-Rebecca Jonson, Taylor Michelle Sears, Dakotah Smith, Lander Walker, Lauren Michaley Hugo, Mattie Jo Lippoldt, Emily Rishel, Avery Cunningham, Kennedy Nicole Henry, Sidney Alexa Rucker.
Argonia: Dalton Kemper Good.
Arkansas City: Emily Flickinger.
Augusta:Taylor Janelle Walker, Jayden Austin, Michael Bruce, Alex Busch, Brooklyn Flower, Katie Lindner, Teresa M Litton, Brooke Patterson.
Benton: Garrett Hyslop, Keegan J Leth-Nissen.
Derby: Jerry D Berry, Alexis Tiffany DeVous, Jared McDaniel, Raylor N Silvia, Kerry Beth Borko, Benjamin R Graber, Michaela Lynn Hansen, Kaitlin Jean Hartman, Nathan C. Quinton, Brady Rust, Samantha Spade Simmons, McKenzie L Young
Douglass: Madison Mabie.
El Dorado: Kara Washington, Lewis William Cain, Cameron Smith, Taylor M Allison, KaCee Conine, Madison L Hallmark, Yasmine Kabutu, Isabella Marguerite Pierard Rausch, Noah Stewart.
Elbing: Sara Boehm.
Eudora: Austin Steven McNorton.
Hayesville: Kyle A. Manny, Kylee Roeder.
Goddard: Hannah Brianne Daily, Seth Charles Creason.
Marion: Shonda I Ratzloff.
Maize: Madison Sue Fitzmirer, Caroline Nordberg, Sierra J Pieschl, Kalin Michael Blackburn, Allison J Pieschl, Jesse W. Moore.
Marion: Shonda I Ratzloff.
Mulvane: Sydney Brown, Kelsea Miller, Adam Mouak, Peyton Rene Haynes, Kelsea Miller, Emma R Springer, Haley Diane Wood.
Protection: Emily Kay Vaught.
Richmond: Grady D Schuster.
Rose Hill: Teresa L Conduff, Katie Dawn Cox, Jillian Elizabeth Harper, Shalen Willkinson, Chloe Hager, Jason W Gilchrist, Kelsea M. Kill, Madison Rae Olson, Tabitha Noelle Slater, Madison Walls, Danyel Yardley.
Topeka: Jessica Ramirez.
Towanda: Emma Hufman, Abigail L Yamamoto, Bailey, Madison Counterman, Tara A Varner, Mark Walthers, Reagan Elizabeth Wilson.
Valley Center: Chance William Berschauer, Adelyn Ann Schurle, Kennedy Anne Weaver.
Viola: Brett Robinson.
Whitewater: Grace Louise Graham.
Wichita: Hannah H. Dalhaus, Youssouph Dieme, Khanya J Dith, Kimberly Samantha Kaufman, Nicole R McFaul, Caitlin Rose Sader, Brandy L Schwarz, Emily Son, Katie Thomas, Vanessa West, Matthew P. Wood, Nathan Charles Keck, Luan Thanh Nguyen, Ryan Quillen, Julia Ann Risley, Sidney Alexa Rucker, Kara Washington, Kristen Hammerton, Kevin Victor Morales, Ashley Thoreen.
Out of State Graduates
Gilbert, Ariz.: Rebekah Huckaby
Broomfield, Colo.: Damian G. St. Aubin
Colorado Springs, Colo.: Kevin Victor Morales
Fowler, Ind.: Kenzie M Kretzmeier
Brimfield, Mass.: Timothy Portwood*
Tekonsha, Mich.: Daniel Flynn
Deerfield, Mo.: Kaylee Jo Farmer
Kansas City, Mo.: Jessica Naomi Brashears
Ozark, Mo.: Areona Jo Conrad
Sikeston, Mo.: Lora Ann Tanner
Page, Neb.: Miles Stagemeyer
Adair, Okla.: Corey Dillon Murphy
Eagle Point, Ore.: Ryan Gifford
Austin, Texas: Ashley Nicole Cool
Ropesville, Texas: Cooper Dale Carlisle.