Calvin Butts

By R.L. Witter

Some people will tell you they were put on this earth to do one thing and do it well. Rev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts III strives to do all things well, and it shows. It’s not surprising once you get to know him a little bit, “I was concerned about getting good grades and pleasing my parents,” he reminisced of his adolescent self. “I had wonderful, hardworking parents and together they poured a lot into their only child.” Seemingly, the essence they poured into young Calvin not only nourished and nurtured him, but filled and fueled him to affect change and impact thousands of lives through his.

In addition to his parents, education and religion played important parts in molding Butts. Both encouraged his curiosity and sense of justice, which would later serve him well as a minister and an educator. As pastor of the historic Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem, Butts shepherds his flock from a thorough knowledge of scripture. As president at SUNY at Old Westbury, he advocates for his students, faculty, and community. A humble yet confident man, he encourages congregants and students to ask questions and challenge theories. He welcomes their curiosity.