The Lantern newspaper 

On Tuesday, Feb. 11, Butler Community College hosted “A Celebration of the Arts” in honor of the Black History Month. The event featured a discussion with former Grizzly Aaron Profit and accomplished performer Injoy Fountain, as well as a dramatic monologue from Profit’s performance in The Agitators. Held at the El Dorado campus, the event aimed to highlight the importance of storytelling, perseverance and the impact of the arts in shaping history and culture.

Lindsey Carter Fields, a professor of biology, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 29. Carter was on Flight 5342, which departed from the Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport to Washington D.C. The Liberal, Kansas, native left many memories for friends, family and the Butler community, leaving a legacy. 

The Butler Grizzlies had an amazing day, the women’s team continued their win streak 106-55 and the men’s team returnedto their winning ways by dominating the Independence Pirates on Saturday, Feb. 15 in a 118-63 blowout.  

On Tuesday, Feb. 11, the Board of Trustees (BOT) will vote on three options regarding livestreaming their monthly meetings: continue to livestream, record and post the video to Youtube or provide minutes instead. This discussion came as a result and decision by the Kansas Associate of Community Colleges (KACC). According to January’s board materials, “Executive Director Heather Morgan has noted concerns that livestream/recorded meeting easily capture inaccurate information discussed or presented, personal viewpoints and discussion that involve intra-Board, college conflicts among other issues that could create future problems and liability issues for colleges.” 

On Tuesday, Jan. 28, Butler Community College President Jackie Vietti informed the campus via email about President Donald Trump's executive order. This order allows the enforcement of immigration laws that may potentially affect students, institutions, colleges, hospitals, churches, staff, families and more including Butler CC. If U.S. Immigration and  Customs Enforcement (ICE) has an order of detention, it may be legally executed based on the college’s legal counsel. Individuals can be taken into custody. Therefore, students are encouraged to contact Campus Security at 316-321-7675 if they observe any unusual activity. Butler CC is responsible for ensuring the students' safety and protecting their private information. 

As college students near the end of their time at Butler CC, many are transferring to other colleges. Time really does fly. It is a time to solidify the path and explore many opportunities. 

As the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, people around the world welcome 2025 with cheers and changes. Many still have their own New Year’s resolutions to write and reflect on in the next new coming year. The New Year really does feel like a fresh start. The calendar flips over. We brush off the burdens of the past. And in this moment of conception, in some countries, we set intentions for the future instead of resolutions. We try to imagine what we want our lives to look like in the coming year.

With Christmas break traveling it has been an interesting, wonderful and eye-opening experience. Within time I got to experience many fun and eventful activities. I got to see things that I have never seen before. This winter over Christmas break I got to drive to Chicago and New York City with my boyfriend and his family. The vacation was filled with experiences that I will draw upon in the future. Each city had its pluses and minuses of what any city has to offer, and it was enlightening to be there at the right time of year.

For those looking to add a little adventure to their holiday plans, winter travel can offer a magical and fun escape. There are a variety of different places to travel over the winter Christmas break. Whether it is to visit the snowy mountains, a cabin getaway in Colorado or a beachy Christmas in Florida or Hawaii, seasonal destinations bring excitement and fun for all.