Butler named CTE Department Chair, director of cooperative education

Having spent the past five and a half years as a related course instructor/agriculture instructor at Cowley College, Brett Butler will now take over as Career and Technical Education department chair and the director of cooperative education.

Butler, a graduate of Oklahoma State University, was hired at Cowley College in January 2003. He is eager to work closely with the Career and Technical Education department instructors in Arkansas City, Winfield, and Mulvane.

“Communication will be the key,” Butler said. “I will be working with a great group of instructors. I welcome the responsibility and look forward to looking into new programs and courses that can be added.”
Butler takes over as department chair for Bruce Crouse, who was recently promoted to executive director of business and industry at Cowley College.


“The transition from Bruce to me has been seamless,” Butler said. “Bruce worked closely with me over the past two years preparing me for the job.”

Programs in the Career and Technical Education department are full. However, Butler wants to see the department grow and continue to improve.

“Everything is set up wonderfully,” Butler said. “I have a lot of help to make this thing happen and keep it running smoothly.”

Cowley College president Dr. Patrick J. McAtee is confident in having Butler take over as CTE department chair.

“Brett is a dynamic leader on campus that will work with some great people to expand that whole area,” McAtee said. “I look for great things from him.”

Butler is also looking forward to spearheading the college’s Cooperative Education program, which will be a campus wide program where Business and Industry representatives will hire Cowley College students to work and learn part-time in their facilities.

“This will give students a chance to discover a career opportunity and get paid for their work,” Butler said. “They can also find out if it is the right career choice for them.”

Butler will work with representatives in Business and Industry and also the instructors to make sure the students are successful.

“The hope is they will cultivate a relationship where at the end of the tenure the company and the student know more about each other,” Butler said. “Hopefully, the company will hire the student upon completion.”

Fall 2008