Youssouph Dieme
Reporting Student
Humble and modest, Keith Ray West is a professor in the Mass Communications Department at Butler Community College in El Dorado.
West decided to join Butler Community College, a place that he loves. It is obvious that this decision is because he wanted to get more involved in the community, to always be available to help others since it is something he inherited from his family.
“I have accepted Butler’s offer not only to be closer to my family but also, the church in Oxford, needed a minister,” West said. “And I think it was on my duty to respond to God’s call.”
Doc, as many of his students call him, started his teaching career at Oklahoma State University at 17-years-old, in Oklahoma where his parents are from, as a part-time teacher and became full-time instructor six years later. At 25, he started teaching at Ross State University in Alpines, Texas.
Some people qualify him as someone who knows everything because of his experience. He has a very brilliant professional career.
Besides being a teacher, West has been involved in many professional tasks such as a TV station professional musician, theater and play-wright.
He has been a public information officer in case of storm, and he was also involved in filmmaking such as, Good Old Boys and Streets of Lorado.
“I wanted to try everything,” West said. “I discovered weaknesses in lots of things. In all my professional career, I was the one who will fill in until they can find someone better. I approach people that know better the job to get advices on how to handle the it and get things done. A poor job is better than no job at all. I can still keep going about what I accomplished in my professional life, but you will not have enough papers to write all.”
His office, probably one of the largest at Butler, is located at the 100 building on the El Dorado campus. In fact, the building is designed particularly for Mass Communications and English students. Even though it is a single room about 10 by 20, West has succeeded in dividing it into three sections: academic office, music studio where he teaches students how to play music instruments and a repair desk in case some of his instruments get broken.
However, one cannot go in without noticing West’s lovely popcorn machine that can make you salivate. Also, it is hard to see the painting on the walls because the rectangular office is almost covered with West’s diplomas, mementos and many other souvenirs.
When you go in his office, you notice right away how welcoming West is because of the expression on his face. He has a unique way to make people feel at ease when they go to visit him. He will greet you politely and tease you so that you feel comfortable with him. He will treat you with respect no matter who you are and what your age is. He will listen to you carefully on what brought you in his office.
“I treat students as equal, respect them as human beings,” West said.
He is available for everybody regardless of the circumstances. If you are looking for help, West will do all that he can to assist you.
“My family made me,” West said. “They live their faith by being available to others. They devoted their life in helping people in the community and outside of it. So, all that I am today, I owe it to my family.”
Students cherished him because of his pragmatism and commitment in explaining clearly the materials to his students. He has skills of dealing with students to make them understand his course.
“I teach in different ways for different learners,” West said. “Some have to see it to understand, {and} some have to read it to get it. I try to combine all of those to make sure everyone has their share.”
Students notice West for the person and faculty person he is and what he embodies.
“Dr. West is the definition of a professional,” Jeremy Martinez, a former Butler Mass Communication graduate and Strategic Communication major at Wichita State University, said. “His teachings aren’t just out of a book, he speaks from life experiences to show students how material translates into real life. This had to be my favorite thing about taking Dr. West’s classes. That, and the treats he would bring in.”
Sophomore Emily Beckman enjoys West’s classes.
“Dr. West is very knowledgeable on several subjects,” Beckman, a Mass Communication major at Butler, said. “He is a good teacher who cares about his students.”
To sum up, West can be simply described in four words: one of a kind.
