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Additionally, he oversaw more than $200 million in capital construction and renovation projects for the campus, including residence halls, the Student Union, University Police Department Headquarters, and the new $64 million Academic Building. Other notable campus renovations under Butts included 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 enhance- ments across the campus. In September 2020, SUNY Chan- cellor James Malatras and the SUNY Board of Trustees officially appointed Butts as President Emeritus of the SUNY at Old Westbury in recognition of his 20 years of distinguished service to the college.
Meeting in Orlando, FL. Butts deliv- ered a thought-provoking, inspirational address that highlighted the plight of black males and urged members “to reach out to our own to help change the course of direction of black males in our society.” Butts, in this speech, delved into politics, challenged the Fraternity, and highlighted historical instances of racial discrimination and its impact. His speech invoked numerous rounds of applause and a standing ovation at its conclusion. Other key addresses by Butts to the Fraternity include serving as the featured speaker at the Kappa Al- pha Psi Foundation banquet at the 81st Grand Chapter Meeting in Houston, TX, and providing remarks at a national fraternity event at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. He was also the featured Closed Banquet Speaker at the 2019 National Founders’ Day Weekend Observance in Tampa, FL. The 2013 Winter issue of the Kappa Alpha Psi Journal featured Butts, who remarked: “One of the most important things that the Fraternity has done in my life has been to demonstrate the power of true brotherhood. The Frater- nity gave me brothers who are lifelong friends.” Furthermore, Butts stated the Fra- ternity “has demonstrated for me a unity that I feel is so important among black men, especially. Even
Memberships He was also a member of Boyer
Lodge No.1 of The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the State of New York. In addition, Butts served as President of Africare NYC, an indepen- dent organization dedicated to improving the quality of life in rural Africa. He was the president of the Council of Churches of New York City. He served as vice-chair of the Board of Direc- tors of United Way of New York City, Chairman of the Harlem YMCA board and a founding member of its Board of Commissioners. He also served as co- chair of the African American Men and Boys Initiative (AAMB). Butts was also a member of the Board of Trustees of American Baptist College. He was a member of the board of the September 11th Fund and New Visions for Public Schools. He was also an ac- tive member of the greater Long Island community. He served on the leader- ship boards of such organizations as the Long Island Association, the Boy Scouts of America-Theodore Roosevelt Coun- cil, the Long Island Housing Partner- ship, and the Community Development Corporation of Long Island. In addition, he was a member of the Foundation For Ethnic Understanding (FFEU) whose goal was to rebuild the historic Black- Jewish alliance along with then-Mayor David Dinkins and other public officials. Butts also held strong support for public health initiatives, especially ones addressing HIV/AIDS. He served as Chairman of the Board of the Na- tional Black Leadership Commission on Health. His leadership also included serving as a member of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/Aids. Butts was also one of the first to help make both testing and vaccination available to the residents of Harlem dur- ing the COVID-19 pandemic. Months before his passing, Butts joined Rev. Al Sharpton in launching the Choose Healthy Life Black Clergy Action Plan to address COVID-19 and other health disparities in the Black community.
Kappa Alpha Psi Butts was one of the Fraternity’s
most sought-after speakers. Despite his busy schedule, Butts quickly ac- cepted invitations to speak at a chapter, province, or Grand Chapter events. In 1991, the Fraternity had its initial expe- rience on the national stage with Butts as he was the featured Closed Banquet Speaker at the 70 th Grand Chapter
though I’m busy at this stage of my life, whenever my Fraternity calls, and if I can be there, I’m right there.” Butts was a Life Member of the Fraternity and a longtime member of the New York (NY) Alumni Chapter. The Abyssin- ian Baptist Church and Butts often hosted the chapter at its services. Butts regularly attend- ed the chapter’s annual Reginald F. Lewis Foundation Scholarship Luncheon, including serving as a keynote speaker. The chapter presented Butts with his 50-year white fraternity blazer during the 2020 New York City Metro Founders’ Day celebration.
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