In the final episode of season one of Bear Tracks, host Hayley Hobbs is joined by Ronald Rozzell , the archivist at Butler Community College and her co-chair on the Centennial committee. They discuss Butler's upcoming centennial celebration, set for 2026-2027, and Rozzell's role in cataloging the college's history. Ronald shares insights on some of the most interesting items in the archives, the distinction between a historian and an archivist, and the ways in which Butler's history will be show...
May 20, 2025•13 min•Ep. 11
In this episode of Bear Tracks, host Hayley Hobbs sits down with Matt Jacobs , a Butler alumnus and award-winning broadcaster. Matt shares his long-standing connection with Butler, from childhood memories of his father's graduation to his current role as an influential figure in the college's media and athletic departments. They discuss his journey through Butler, including his transformative experiences in journalism and broadcasting. Matt reveals how his initiatives, such as BCTV and the Jacob...
Apr 29, 2025•37 min•Ep. 10
In this episode of Bear Tracks, host Hayley Hobbs welcomes former Butler Community College student and graduate Hannah Bargas. Hannah shares her journey starting as a high school senior torn between a four-year university and community college, ultimately choosing Butler for its affordability and robust campus life. She discusses her experiences in the sports journalism program, working closely with influential figures like Mike Swan and Kelly Snedden, and how Butler's hands-on opportunities gav...
Mar 25, 2025•35 min•Ep. 9
In this episode of Bear Tracks, host Hayley Hobbs interviews Dr. Barry Robinson, the new Vice President of Academics at Butler Community College, who joined the institution in August 2024. Dr. Robinson discusses his background in clinical neurovirology and his transition to higher education, the supportive family atmosphere at Butler, and his vision and goals for the academic programs at the college. He also shares a touching story from his teaching career and talks about the challenges facing c...
Feb 18, 2025•32 min•Ep. 8
Host Hayley Hobbs is joined by Averie Nelson, the Director of Development and Scholarships at the Butler Foundation, to discuss the exciting developments and initiatives happening at the college. The episode covers Averie’s role in managing scholarships and working with donors, the importance of scholarships for both students and faculty, and the unique difference between foundation and institutional scholarships. Averie shares her personal journey to Butler and highlights the significant growth...
Jan 21, 2025•46 min•Ep. 7
In this episode of Bear Tracks, host Hayley interviews Addison Haiden, a 2021 graduate of Butler Community College, to discuss her unique journey as a student. Addison shares her initial decision-making process for choosing Butler, coming from Lindsborg, Kansas, in McPherson County. She talks about her desire for a personalized and small college atmosphere, which led her to Butler, where she felt an immediate connection. Addison recounts her college experience during the COVID-19 pandemic, highl...
Dec 12, 2024•29 min•Ep. 6
In this episode of Bear Tracks, host Hayley welcomes Ron Ragan, a 1980 Butler alumnus and current professor at the KU School of Pharmacy. Ron shares his nostalgic memories as a student at Butler, discussing dormitory life, basketball travel experiences, and the personal growth he experienced during his time at the college. He reflects on how Butler served as an ideal transition from a small rural community school, providing a blend of rigorous academics and personal guidance that set the foundat...
Nov 19, 2024•24 min•Ep. 5
In this episode of Bear Tracks, host Hayley Hobbs sits down with Dr. Heather Rinkenbaugh, Dean of Online High School and Community Learning at Butler Community College. Heather shares her remarkable journey that began as a student on a softball scholarship in 2004, transitioning through various roles including administrative assistant, director of residence life, and director of high school academic partnerships. She became the dean right before the COVID-19 pandemic and recently served as the i...
Oct 22, 2024•26 min•Ep. 4
In this episode of Bear Tracks, host Hayley Hobbs welcomes Ryan Howey , a former Butler student now serving as the Deputy Director of Laboratory Services for the Medical Bureau of the U.S. State Department in Abu Dhabi. Ryan shares his unconventional path to success, starting from dropping out of high school to finding his footing at Butler Community College, and ultimately achieving his dream job with the State Department. Ryan discusses the academic challenges he faced and how Butler's support...
Sep 17, 2024•23 min•Ep. 3
In this episode of Bear Tracks, Hayley sits down with head brewer Rick Goehring from Walnut River Brewing Company and discuss the strong community ties between the brewery, the city of El Dorado, and local colleges including Butler. Rick shares insights into Walnut River's history, its partnership with the college, and their commitment to giving back through events and educational courses. Highlighting an upcoming homebrewing course in October, Rick provides details on how creative and scientifi...
Sep 05, 2024•17 min•Ep. 2
In the inaugural episode of 'Bear Tracks,' Butler Community College's official podcast, host Hayley Hobbs introduces Kate Garnes, a former Butler student and current motivational speaker. Kate shares her inspiring journey from her humble beginnings in Missouri to attending Butler Community College and Wichita State University before landing her dream job at Disney. Reflecting on her time at Butler, Kate highlights the college's significant impact on her, particularly the supportive community, de...
Aug 13, 2024•27 min•Ep. 1
Welcome to Bear Tracks , where we embark on a captivating journey through the stories of alumni, supporters, current students, faculty, staff, and community members who make Butler Community College a special place to learn and grow. Why Subscribe? Exclusive Stories : Hear firsthand accounts from those who have experienced the unique spirit of Butler. Community Connections : Stay connected with the Butler family and discover how our community continues to thrive. Milestone Moments : Join us as w...
Jul 22, 2024•2 min
