The Butler Way

I am a proud graduate of Butler University.  Great school.  Great education.  Great relationships.  I never heard of Butler University until one week before the state Track & Field championships in 1976 when I received a note from Butler’s legendary coach, Stan Lyons, who wrote that he wanted to visit with me after the meet.  Two weeks later, he offered me a scholarship and I said yes.  I still remember the look of pride on my Dad’s face.  Four years, lots of studying, championships, the Lambda Chi house, great friendships , student teaching, outstanding commencement ceremony.  It was hard to say good-bye to Coach Lyons on that last day.  What a great man – God rest his soul.  Butler gained much notoriety in 2010 and 2011 with back to back trips to the NCAA Men’s’ Basketball Championship game with a “David vs. Goliath” story.  Over the years, Butler has developed a culture incorporating five pillars and recruiting players that have outstanding character.  Those five pillars are core values and really are biblical principles.  “The Butler Way” is Humility - go about your business in a humble way without self-exaltation, Passion – do not be lukewarm; pursue excellence, Unity – do not divide the team as the team is first, Servanthood – make those around you better, Thankfulness – learn from every circumstance, and Accountability - no excuses, no explanations.  I am proud to be associated with this school – Go Bulldogs!

There is a lot to learn from these core values and perhaps much to aspire to.  As teachers, we demonstrate humility when we really don’t care who gets the credit for outstanding results.  As teachers, we work at things with a passion as we pursue excellence in our students; however that is defined.  As teachers, we must have the demonstrative attitude that we are serving others and not the other way around.  As teachers, we must show thankfulness no matter what comes our way and understand that failures make us stronger IF we do something about it.  Finally, we have to be accountable for what happens, good or bad without excuse.  More than teaching, what a great way to live your life.  Live this way and people will notice.  They will see something different about you.  Hopefully, they’ll want to follow your example.  Guess what we’ll have then – a better school and a better society.  Who wouldn’t want that?  I am proud to be associated with this school – Go Bulldogs!