(Atlanta) –Pastor of the nationally renowned Abyssinian Baptist Church in the City of New York and President of State University of New York at Old Westbury, Dr. Calvin O. Butts, III will deliver the keynote address at the Interdenominational Theological Center’s (ITC) Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 12th at 10:00 a.m. in the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel located on the campus of Morehouse College, 830 Westview Dr. SW, Atlanta, Georgia 30314. Masters and Doctoral degrees will be conferred on 80 students.
A native New Yorker, Dr. Butts spent a few years in the South, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Morehouse College. He returned to New York and earned a Master of Divinity in Church History from Union Theological Seminary, and a Doctorate of Ministry in Church and Public Policy from Drew University in Madison, NJ. Dr. Butts has been recognized by several colleges with honorary degrees for his significant leadership in the areas of religion, education and civil rights advocacy.
Rev. Butts was an Urban Affairs instructor, and served as an Adjunct Professor in the African Studies Department at New York‘s City College. He also taught Black Church History at Fordham University, and continues to lecture and speak at colleges, universities and various organizations throughout the United States and abroad. In addition to his professional and religious avocations, Dr. Butts is a member of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA), as well as a Board member of New Visions for Public Schools.
Education and faith are the hallmarks of the ministry of the Reverend Dr. Calvin O. Butts, III, infusing his life, his work and his teachings. Dr. Butts’ sincere commitment to enhancing the kingdom of God on earth is evidenced in a loyal attention to the daily activities and services of the congregation, as well as the pervasive impact of the church on community development initiatives including homelessness, senior citizen and youth empowerment, cultural awareness and ecumenical outreach.
Rev. Butts is the recipient of numerous other honors and awards, including the United Negro College Fund’s (UNCF) Shirley Chisholm Community Service Award; Man of the Year Award from Morehouse College Alumni Association; Morehouse College Candle Award; induction into the Martin Luther King Jr. Board of Preachers (Morehouse College); the William M. Moss Distinguished Brotherhood Award; and the Louise Fisher Morris Humanitarian Award. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Prince Hall Masons (having received the 33rd final degree in Masonry), and was recognized as a Living Treasure by the New York City Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Rev. Butts is married, has three children and six grandchildren.
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About the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC)
Established in 1958, The Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) is a Christian Africentric ecumenical consortium of seminaries and a fellowship that educates students who commit to practicing justice and peace through a liberating and transforming spirituality to become leaders in the church, local and global communities. Its seminaries include the Morehouse School of Religion (Baptist); Gammon Theological Seminary (United Methodist); Turner Theological Seminary (African Methodist Episcopal); Phillips School of Theology (Christian Methodist Episcopal); and the Charles Harrison Mason Theological Seminary (Church of God and Christ). The Selma T. and Harry V. Richardson Ecumenical Fellowship provides theological training to students from various other faith traditions.
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For Immediate Release
Wednesday, March 14, 2018
Contact: Rochelle Reeder
rreeder@itc.edu
O: 404-527-7767
