Each year at Commencement, Washtenaw Community College honors an individual for extraordinary contributions to the advancement of the college and its mission.
This year's honoree was Tom Butman, general manager of Gene Butman Ford in Ypsilanti.
"The primary role of every community college is to help develop a strong workforce for the community that supports it," said WCC President Dr. Rose B. Bellanca. "Doing so effectively requires a working relationship with business leaders so the college can meet the needs of local industry."
For WCC, Butman is a prime example of the ideal employer partner, serving as a WCC industry advisory board for the past 12 years.
This involvement creates a sybiotic relationship — he shares industry trends so WCC can ensure its curriculum is meting workforce needs. At the same time, it's ensuring the college is developing highly skilled employees to send into the job market ... including at Butman Ford.
Today, Butman Ford employs 10 WCC graduates in a variety of full-time roles, from service to sales to human resources. The dealership also offers apprenticeships and part-time work for current WCC students.
Butman knows the value of WCC's programs because he has been part of one.
After earning a bachelor's degree in Automotive Marketing & Management from Northwood University in 2009, Butman enrolled in WCC's Automotive Services Technician associate degree program to gain a deeper understanding of every aspect of his family's business.
"It's that sort of passion for education and his industry that makes him an invaluable partner to WCC and our students," WCC Board of Trustees chair Christina Fleming said while introducing Butman to the gathered crowd at Commencement.
PAST RECIPIENTS
Tom Butman is the 12th recipient of an Honorary Associate Degree in Community Service from WCC. Previous honorees:
2012: John Dingell, U.S. Representative
2013: Michael A. Finney, CEO of Michigan Economic Development Corporation
2014: Garmy M. Owens, State Representative
2015: Marby Dobson, Philanthropist
2016: Debbie Dingell, U.S. Representativ
2017: Adam Zemke, State Representative
2018: George Waddles Jr., Pastor at Second Baptist Church in Ypsilanti
2019: Karl Covert, Dean of Washtenaw Technical Middle College
2020: No traditional commencement
2021: No traditional commencement
2022: Paul Krutko, President & CEO of Ann Arbor SPARK
2023: Richard J. Landau, J.D., Ph.D., longtime WCC trustee
2024: Sean Duval, Entrepreneur & Philanthropist