VC President Dr. Tom Butler Resigns

Victoria College President Dr. Tom Butler announced his retirement Tuesday, according to a Victoria College news release. Butler has served as president of Victoria College since Sept. 2008 and will continue in this role through the end of August. Ron Walker, chairman of the VC Board of Trustees, praised Butler for his six years of service to Victoria College. “Dr. Butler’s leadership will be missed by Victoria College as well as by Victoria and this region,” said Walker. “Six years ago, he assumed leadership over an institution which was an outstanding education facility. With the changing times and demands, he has taken Victoria College to the point where it is meeting the educational and training needs of today and ready to tackle the needs and demands of the future.”

Butler said “collaboration is key” when it comes to all the accomplishments Victoria College has made in recent years. “The collaborative environment at Victoria College and in the community has helped VC become the strong institution it is today,” said Butler. “It takes a lot of people and organizations working together to see something accomplished. I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to work with many great people striving to make great things happen in Victoria.” Under Butler’s leadership, collaboration at Victoria College has resulted in:

• Expanding VC’s mission to align with the region’s changing education and training needs
• Creating a strategic plan focused on fostering student success, meeting community needs and ensuring institutional excellence
• Strengthening partnerships with area school districts, service organizations, municipalities, and business, industry, and economic development partners
• Receiving reaffirmation of accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and being recognized for an exemplary compliance certificate and Quality Enhancement Plan
• Expanding facilities to include the Liberty Street Industrial Training Center, the Gonzales Workforce Training Center, the Wilkins Industrial Training Center in Port Lavaca, the Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts, and the brand new Emerging Technology Complex

Prior to becoming VC president in 2008, Butler served as president of Lone Star College-Montgomery from 2002 to 2008 and in various administrative roles at the Annandale Campus of the Northern Virginia Community College from 1994 to 2002. He also served as assistant commissioner for the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry from 1989 to 1994.

Butler said that serving as president of Victoria College has been a rewarding experience. “I want to express my gratitude to the Board of Trustees, administrators, faculty, staff, students, and the community for giving me the opportunity to serve as president,” said Butler. “I’ve enjoyed my time as president of Victoria College, but I’m also looking forward to this next phase of my life.”

The VC Board of Trustees will begin a search for a new president immediately. “With community input, the Board is confident that – with Victoria College’s reputation as an academic and career and technical education leader among Texas community colleges – a strong candidate will emerge to uphold the foundation of VC’s mission while continuing to innovate for the betterment of our community and region,” said Walker.