Rev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts, III See

OBITUARY Butts, Longtime Old Westbury President, Dies At 73

The State University of New York at Old Westbury is mourning the passing of Rev. Calvin Butts III. Butts, a former president of the university, died on Oct. 28. He was 73.

Butts, who was the pastor of Abyssinian Baptist Church in New York, served as president of SUNY-Old Westbury from 1999 to 2020, becoming the longest-servRev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts, III ing chief executive in the university’s history. Butts’s affiliation with Abyssinian Baptist lasted even longer. At the time of his death, he was senior pastor of that church, where he had served in various capacities for 50 years.

“I had the pleasure of engaging with Dr. Butts a few times since my arrival on campus,” said Timothy E. Sams, who succeeded Dr. Butts when he assumed the presidency of SUNY Old Westbury in January 2021. “I was, and always will remain, impressed not only by his love for this institution and its people, but for his belief in the powerful role SUNY Old Westbury must play in providing access to a high-quality education and for its historic commitment to social justice.” Other tributes from prominent New Yorkers followed. “I am deeply saddened by the passing of Reverend Dr. Calvin O. Butts, III. For 50 years he nobly served Abyssinian Baptist Church and SUNY Old Westbury fighting for equality. He was a dear friend and I often sought his counsel. My prayers are with his family and the many lives he touched with his ministry.” U.S. Senator Charles Schumer.

“I am deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Calvin O. Butts III, a tremendous leader who served our state, our city and our nation with grace, dignity and passion. Dr. Butts served as pastor of the historic Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem, as president of SUNY Old Westbury, the founder of the transformative Abyssinian Development Corp., and as the visionary leader who helped establish the Thurgood Marshall Academy public school in Manhattan. Dr. Butts was a force for moral clarity, a voice for his Harlem community, a counselor to so many of us in public service and I was proud to call him a friend. Bill and I are praying for his wife, Patricia Butts, children, and grandchildren and for all New Yorkers who have felt the impact of Dr. Butts’ visionary leadership. We will miss him greatly” Governor Kathy Hochul said.

The SUNY Old Westbury website listed the pastor’s many achievements.

“During his time at SUNY Old Westbury, he directed a period of tremendous success and growth, highlighted by the introduction of the highest admissions standards on record for the college, enrollment growth of more than 1,800 students (more than 56 percent) and the introduction in 2004 of graduate instruction at the College, which now boasts more than 300 students studying in 19 master’s degree programs.

“Under his leadership, Old Westbury received significant national and international recognition, including Presidential honors for nine consecutive years for its academically-embedded civic engagement program for first-time-to-college students. The institution was recognized each year by U.S. News and World Report for the diversity of its student body, upholding the campus’ historic commitment to access and opportunity for all members of society, and in 2018 earned its first Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award from Insight Into Diversity magazine, an honor it has earned in the four subsequent years as well.

“Additionally, he led more than $200 million in capital construction and renovation projects for the campus, including introducing to the campus The Woodlands Residence Halls, the Student Union, University Police Department Headquarters, as well as the new, $64 million Academic Building, which opened in 2012 as the first LEED Gold certified higher education facility on Long Island. Notable renovations include the renovation of the Campus Center Building, the Campus Library which now bears his name, and more than $10 million in instructional and administrative technological enhancements across the campus.

“He was also an active member of the greater Long Island community, serving on the leadership boards of such organizations as The Long Island Association, the Boy Scouts of America-Theodore Roosevelt Council, The Long Island Housing Partnership, and the Community Development Corporation of Long Island.

“His leadership also included service in such national roles as being a member of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/Aids, chairman of the Board of the National Black

see CALVIN BUTTS on page 5

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A Tremendous Success For A Compelling Cause

Community Mainstreaming Associates held its 17th Annual Comedy Night Fundraiser at the Mansion at Oyster Bay Rooftop on October 12. The event raised 65 percent over the record in funds.

Community Mainstreaming Associates (CMA), based in Westbury, is committed to providing flexible and innovative services that meet the changing needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. CMA strives to maximize each person’s potential to lead a fulfilling, purposeful life in the community by offering a full range of work, social, educational, and recreational opportunities.

This year the organization held its annual Comedy Night event honoring Richard Guarino of Friedman Roth Realty for his steadfast support of the organization. Guests enjoyed dinner, drinks, and incredible comedic talent along with great weather on the rooftop while they showed their support of CMA and its important work in the community. Eileen Eagan, CMA’s Executive Director was excited to share her 10th Anniversary in leadership with CMA at this incredible event.

Event leaders Matt Engel, Ray Ellin, Erica Lee Benedetto, Jim Slattery, and Jo Ann Caracappa did an outstanding job organizing the record-breaking event. — Submitted by Community Mainstreaming Associates

Lauren and Richard Guarino. Jeff and Bonnie Fachler.

L to R: Jo Ann Caracappa, Jim Slattery, Ray Ellin. Michelle Stack, Erica Lee Benedetto, and Matt Engel.

CALVIN BUTTS from page 4

Leadership Commission on AIDS (NBLCA) and a founding member of its Board of Commissioners, co-chair of the African American Men and Boys Initiative (AAMB), president of Africare NYC, and as a member of the board of the September 11th Fund,” the website concluded.

“The widescale effect of his lifelong calling to serve others is incalculable,” said Dr. Sams. “His was life lived in the service of others. While his loss is saddening, I hope we can all use it also as a call to continue the life-changing work he did on so many important issues.”

Calvin Butts III was born in Bridgeport, CT. His family moved to Queens, where Butts attended public schools. In 1967, he graduated from Flushing High School, where he had been elected president of the senior class. At Morehouse College in Atlanta, Butts earned a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy He later earned from Union Theological Seminary a Master of Divinity in church history, and a Doctor of Ministry from Drew University.

Butts joined the Abyssinian Baptist Church as a youth minister in 1972. For decades its senior pastor, he also delivered a weekly sermon by radio on a local station, 98.7 FM .

Butts is survived by his wife Patricia, three children and six grandchildren.

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