The newly appointed president of the State University of New York (SUNY) College at Old Westbury promised to reinvigorate the local college during inauguration ceremonies held this past Saturday, Oct. 28.

Calvin O. Butts, III, who is also pastor of the historic Abyssinian Baptist Church in New York City, assumed the responsibilities of college chief last year, after being appointed to the role on Sept. 22, 1999. As he was sworn into the office Saturday, he was surrounded by more than 1,000 attendees, including SUNY trustees, members of the Old Westbury College Council, administrators, faculty and students.

"I look forward to our shared efforts to move this college forward," he said, describing the college's faculty, other staff members, and students as its most valuable resources.

Butts, who will continue as pastor of the Abyssinian Church, expressed pride in his Baptist heritage, and noted that he would draw on his church experience in his leadership of the college. The Baptist tradition of the new college head was reflected in the ceremony, through prayer, performances by the Abyssinian Baptist Church Choir, and an energetic message by fellow minister Reverend Dr. Charles Adams.

"I come to Old Westbury with my feet firmly planted on the solid rock of the Abyssinian Baptist Church," he said, adding, "I know it's a state university, but I'm not ashamed of who I am."

As pastor of the Abyssinian Baptist Church, Rev. Butts has not only been looked to as a spiritual leader, but has also served as a community activist in New York City. Among the projects completed under his direction are the acquisition and renovation of apartments for the homeless, construction of senior citizen housing, and the acquisition of historic landmarks in Harlem. He also helped establish the Thurgood Marshall Academy for Learning and Social Change.

Butts, who is the fifth president the college has had in only 35 years of operation, expressed a desire to raise the prominence of the college, which currently has an enrollment of 3,000. He said he will keep it a small college, but wants to raise enrollment to 6,000. He also wants to increase the SAT score admission requirement from 1,000 to 1,200. Other goals include improving student performance, increasing the number of full-time faculty, and establishing a strong baseball team. Butts is also overseeing the construction of new dormitories and a student union hall. Noting that alumni support is vital to the success of a college, he called on Old Westbury's 14,000 graduates to increase their support for improvement efforts.

Speakers at the inauguration expressed much confidence in Butts as the college's new leader. "Old Westbury is a leadership campus for the State University of New York, and indeed the nation," said Edward Cox, SUNY trustee, noting that the institution has the "important mission" of "excellence through diversity." Cox lauded Butts as an advocate for such social issues as housing and education in the state of New York, who is well-suited for the role of college president. "As a preacher, he has a vision, and he can give voice to that vision," he said.

Latesha Walker, president of the SUNY College at Old Westbury Student Government Association, described a current sense of excitement among students about the ongoing construction projects, and pride in Butts as the institution's new head. "There's a sense of excitement here at Old Westbury," she said. Describing Butts as passionate, "courageous," and the "ideal person" to lead the college, she added, "We are proud to have Dr. Calvin Butts here."