Thomas W. Butcher

Thomas W. Butcher
8th President of the
Kansas State Teachers College
In office
April 11, 1913 – June 30, 1943
Preceded by Joseph H. Hill
Succeeded by James F. Price
6th President of Central State Normal School
In office
1906–1908
Preceded by Frederick Howard Umholtz
Succeeded by James Argyle McLauchlin
Personal details
Born Thomas Walter Butcher
July 3, 1867
Macomb, Illinois
Died July 14, 1947 (aged 80)
Emporia, Kansas
Resting place Emporia, Kansas
Spouse(s) Mary W. Peck (1900–1947)
Alma mater University of Kansas (B.A.)
Harvard University (M.A.)
Occupation Education administrator

Thomas Walter Butcher (July 3, 1867 – July 14, 1947) was an American educator most notably for serving as president at what is now known as Emporia State University. Before serving as president of the Kansas State Normal, which renamed to the Kansas State Teachers College during his administration, Butcher served as the superintendent of the City Schools school district in Enid, Oklahoma,[1] and president of the Central State Normal School, now the University of Central Oklahoma.[2]

Biography

Early life and education

Butcher was born to Boman Rilea Butcher and Adaline Vail.[3] The family moved to Kansas when Butcher was still a child, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Kansas (KU) in 1894. After graduating from KU, Butcher became principal of Wellington High School from 1894 until 1897, leaving to become the principal of Sumner County High School from 1897 until 1906. In 1904, butcher earned his Master of Arts degree from Harvard University.[4] After receiving his Master’s degree, Butcher became president of Central State Normal School in Edmond, Oklahoma from 1906 until 1908.[5] In 1908, he then studied at the University of Berlin for a year.[6] Upon his return to the United States, he served as superintendent of schools at Enid, Oklahoma from 1909–1913, before being named president of Kansas State Normal in Emporia, Kansas.[7]

KSN–Kansas State Teachers College presidency

Butcher's presidency is the longest term served by any president in the history of Emporia State University.[8] When Butcher accepted the presidency in 1913 the administration building needed renovation. In 1913 the State Legislature approved a $60,000 appropriation to remodel the building; however, the building was deemed unsafe and condemned. In 1914, the beginning of a “work study” program was started. The new policy included hiring students for janitor services and other work in order to help deserving students attend the school. The new administrative building, named Plumb Hall, was completed in 1917. The brick building is four stories high with two large columns at the entrance. It contained 90 classrooms, 3 restrooms, 2 check-rooms, and a space for an elevator.[9] It also houses a 2,500 seat auditorium, named Albert Taylor Hall after the fifth president of KSN Albert R. Taylor.[10][11] Under Butcher's administration, the Memorial Union was built in 1922, named to honor veterans of World War I. Another major change to the School was the name change from Kansas State Normal to the Kansas State Teachers College.[12] In 1938 when the college celebrated its 75 anniversary, major improvements to campus were made that year including a new stadium, later named Francis G. Welch Stadium, was in its final stages of completion which included a new bell tower and scoreboard. On June 30, 1943 Butcher retired and continued to serve as President Emeritus until his death in 1947.[3]

Personal life

Butcher married Mary W. Peck on July 3, 1900 in Wellington, Kansas. They had three children, Thomas Peck Butcher, Walter Peck Butcher, and Mary Louise Butcher.[3] Butcher died on July 14, 1947 in Emporia. Butcher Children’s School on the Emporia State University campus was named after him.

References