CAROL SUE BUTTS WINS WWHEL
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Carol Sue Butts, Provost of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, has won the 2007 Outstanding Achievement Award presented by Wisconsin Women in Higher Education Leadership (WWHEL).  The announcement came at the annual WWHEL state conference held October 18-19 at Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton.  

“Dr. Butts has been a superb mentor and role model for women in academia,” said Mari McCarty, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities and the outgoing WWHEL state president.  “She exemplifies the spirit of excellence that WWHEL strives to foster among all involved in higher education in the state.”

Dr. Butts’ nominators praised her professional guidance as she encouraged them to participate in organizations that in turn support other women in education, creating a multiplier effect.  One nominator said, “I could not ask for a better role model to work under as I hone my own leadership skills.” 

Dr. Butts’ influence extended beyond her own campus to the state level, where she served two terms on the WWHEL Board, including a term as state president, during which time she established the WWHEL website and created an electronic archive to help preserve WWHEL’s institutional memory.  This initiative inspired others on a national level to follow her example.  In addition, she expanded the WWHEL sponsorship program, allowing WWHEL to bring in national speakers for conferences and to keep costs low to encourage the highest possible attendance.  In presenting the award, outgoing WWHEL president Mari McCarty said of Dr. Butts, “She embodies the spirit and purpose of WWHEL.”

Wisconsin Women in Higher Education Leadership is a statewide organization devoted to increasing the number and effectiveness of women in colleges and universities in Wisconsin.  Each year it sponsors a fall state conference as well as spring workshops held at five locations around the state.