For five decades, Butch dedicated himself to the success of Bay College, serving on the Board of Trustees from 1974 until his retirement in 2024. Butch was appointed to the Board in April 1974 and subsequently elected to eight terms by the voters of Delta County. As the longest-serving trustee in the College's history, he helped shape nearly every chapter of Bay College's evolution, working alongside five college presidents and playing an instrumental role in the selection of the institution's last four presidents.
Throughout his tenure, Butch championed two guiding principles—student success and fiscal responsibility. His thoughtful leadership and steady governance helped establish a culture of civility and collaboration that became a hallmark of the Board of Trustees, mentoring generations of trustees while keeping students at the center of every decision.
During Butch’s 50 years of service, Bay College experienced remarkable transformation. Butch helped guide the College through its first full accreditation in 1976 and every successful reaffirmation since, supported the expansion of academic programs across the Upper Peninsula and beyond through online learning, strengthened transfer partnerships with universities throughout Michigan, expanded student support services, restored intercollegiate athletics, and advocated for technological innovations that positioned Bay College as a leader in digital education.
Butch’s leadership also helped secure the College's long-term future through successful millage campaigns that funded the construction of the Learning Resources Center, the Joseph L. Heirman University Center, the Iron Mountain Campus, and ongoing capital improvements. He supported partnerships that strengthened the region, including the long-standing relationship with the Northern Lights YMCA, while representing Bay College on the Michigan Community College Association Board of Directors and Legislative Committee, where he tirelessly advocated for equitable state funding for Michigan's community colleges.
In 2019, Butch was honored when the College renamed its library the Thomas L. Butch Library. In further recognition of his extraordinary service, the Bay College Board of Trustees named Butch Trustee Emeritus upon his retirement in 2024, allowing him to continue representing the College at ceremonial events. That same year, he received the Michigan Community College Association Recognition Award for his exemplary contributions to Michigan's community colleges. Together with his wife, Alice, Butch established a scholarship endowment through the Bay College Foundation, reflecting their shared belief in the transformative power of education and their lifelong commitment to serving their community.
His legacy will live on in the students whose lives have been transformed by the institution he helped build and in the generations of trustees, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members who continue to benefit from his vision and leadership.
About Bay College
Bay College is the community’s college with a mission of: Student Success, Community Success, and Culture of Success. Bay is devoted to each individual’s achievement in the classroom, on-campus, online, in the community and into the workforce by providing career certificates, associate degrees, transferable university credits, industry certifications, trainings, and professional development programs which develop skillsets, enrich individuals, and advance careers. #BayIsTheWay