Emma Barkley
Lantern Staff
Returning for the second time at Butler Community College, Larry Patton has returned to work as dean of Fine Arts and Communication. Patton returned to work at the start of the spring semester following former Dean Jay Moorman’s early retirement in December. Patton is expected to serve in this capacity at Butler until July 2018 when a permanent replacement is found.
“I was not looking for a job, but I feel loyalty to the faculty and the students here and have high respect for (President Kim) Dr. Krull and (Vice President of Academics Lori) Ms. Winningham, and I was happy to help out,” Patton said.
Patton has worked at Butler for nearly 30 years. Over time, he worked as a professor in the theatre and speech department in the mid 1970’s. After two years, he left Butler to teach at Emporia State University, and in 1983 he returned to Butler to work as dean of Fine Arts and Communication (FAC). Patton worked as dean for 30 years before he retired until 2011. Over time, he has worked with his brothers in the custom haying business, a business they started. Patton and his wife, Vicki, also had a woodstove business and installation, horse drawn wagon rides and he also works with cattle. During the week, Patton uses his breaks to check on the cattle.
Even after retiring in 2011, Patton was asked to return for a short time to work as interim dean of math, science and education. This was a different environment for him to work in since he had previously served as dean over FAC for many years.
“Math is one of those things that if you don’t keep at it you are going to lose it overtime,” Patton said.
Originally, Patton retired in 2011 in order to spend time with his family and work with cattle. Following his retirement in 2011, Patton has continued his commitment for Butler by attending Fine Arts events. Patton also says he enjoys Butler and would not have came out of retirement to a place that he does not like.
“I enjoy the Butler environment because we have exciting faculty and exciting students, and it’s just fun to interact with the students, and watch students learn and develop,” Patton said.
Outside of Butler, Patton and his wife are both involved in two organizations, “Protect the Flint Hills.” Patton grew up in Cassoday, the heart of the Flint Hills, and he is the fifth generation in his family to live and work in Flint Hills. The second organization he works with is the “Tall Grass Ranchers,” an organization of cattle people. Their goal is to preserve the Tallgrass Prairie in Flint Hills. The Tallgrass Prairie is the last of the ecosystem. It is the only Tallgrass ecosystem, major expanse of Tallgrass Prairie on the planet. He also spends time with his five grandchildren who keep him busy. His grandchildren was one of the reasons why he retired in 2011.