Michael Cissell (left) and Tom Erwin (right) are remembered for their time at Butler. Left: Cissell is pictured for the story and release of his book of poetry, “The Cutting Song of the Butcher Son.” Darrah Walker Right: Erwin worked for Butler for 32 years before retiring in 2017. Courtesy of The Kansan
Cat Gonzales
Photography & Social Media Editor
Starting the fall 2018 semester, Butler Community College said farewell to two of their very own: Professor of English Michael Cissell and Vice President and Chief Information Officer Tom Erwin, who retired in May 2017.
Cissell, who worked at Butler for five years before his passing, recently published his book of poetry, “The Cutting Song of the Butcher Son,” in July of this year.
“Mr. Cissell was my teacher for English,” Samira Watts, a secondary education major, said. “I have always struggled with English because it’s my second language, so I was very reluctant to start college after being out of school for almost 10 years. Coming into Butler Community College, I felt out of place and then I ended up in Mr. Cissell’s class. Immediately I informed him of my situation and to my surprise, he didn’t think it was going to be a problem. He was always willing to help me {and} others in the class. Honestly, I never had a teacher so down to earth. It was surprising yet refreshing.”
Cissell also impacted the lives of his colleagues like Professor of English Katheryn McCoskey.
“He was someone who made me think differently on topics,” McCoskey said. “I enjoyed when he shared poetry and read his poetry to my class and we were very fortunate about it…we also shared the same love for (J.R.R.) Tolkien and “The Lords of the Rings.” This last summer, I listened to the audio of “The Lords of the Rings” and I have had many imaginary conversations with Mr. Cissell that I was actually going to have this semester, about all the new things I got out of it.”
Cissell passed away on Thursday, Aug. 16 of a heart attack, leaving behind his wife, Monica, and two sons, Guthrie and Rohan.
Tom Erwin, who worked at Butler Community College for 32 years, ran the IT department when the institution began to get computers. Then he worked to get EnterNet connectivity and fiber connectivity through the buildings here on campus. According to many here at Butler who worked with Erwin, he spent his entire career being an innovator and a forward thinker trying find ways to make information more available.
“Tom had an ability to make friends or acquaintances anywhere he went,” Vice President of Information Technology Bill Young said. “Everyone on campus knew who Tom was and knew that when he said, ‘How’s your day going?’ He cared and really wanted to know how you were really doing.”
Erwin passed away on Sunday, Aug. 5, leaving behind his wife, Kathie, a daughter, foster daughter and many others.
According to students and staff, both Cissell and Erwin contributed in various ways during their time at Butler.
