SBP Brent Buterbaugh Discusses Diversity and Advocacy of Student Body
| Get to Know Your SBP: Brent Buterbaugh | Video courtesy of ESTV
Within his first weeks as Student Body President (SBP), Brent Buterbaugh has openly shared and discussed his love for the King’s community, the college itself and his commitment to serving both. Changes like the implementation of routine town halls after PRS to review the meeting agenda on nights where there will be a Council Meeting have already taken effect.
The strenuous, yet rewarding academic and campus lifestyle of King’s, coupled with the freedom to live as an independent young adult in the metropolis of New York, instilled in Buterbaugh a deep love for the college. Coming from Columbus, Ohio, Buterbaugh was drawn to King’s because he wanted the experience of a college that didn't just understand the importance of cultural engagement, but clearly put it into action.
“There are a lot of really challenging things about [the college’s] approach to higher education, but that’s what drew me to King’s in the first place.” Buterbaugh said. “I felt like they trusted me as an adult, they trusted me as a young college student and I think that’s a really great learning environment for any higher education institution.”
On top of serving King’s as the leader of the Student Body, Buterbaugh is currently employed at National Review, a conservative magazine featuring current political and cultural news. His past experience at King’s includes serving as chamberlain for the House of Lewis and working in guest experience for the admissions department.
“I think [King’s] really empowers you and challenges you and enables you to become an adult, in many different ways.” Buterbaugh said. “You have to get your own groceries, take care of your apartment, dress professionally; you get a job or an internship, you find your own church, you get involved in that kind of community, you take leadership opportunities at the school.”
In the effort to best represent the King’s student body, Buterbaugh centered his presidential role within a system and motto of advocacy for his fellow peers and students.
“It means that I represent not just the needs of the students as a whole but also groups of students.” Buterbaugh said, “I want to make sure that everyone at King’s feels heard and feels welcome, and that means making sure that I’m hearing every part of the student body and making their voices heard to the council and to the administration.”
During SBP elections in the spring of 2021, one of the platforms Buterbaugh ran on was making students aware of the types of student initiatives that are possible and the processes that are available in order to make their voices heard. His platform also called for clear representation of the Student Body to the administration. Buterbaugh further mentioned that he’d like to follow his predecessor’s steps in his relationship with his cabinet and council.
“I think very highly of [Colin], I think he did a wonderful job leading the school through a very difficult time…I think he values people well. I think he is very encouraging, very supportive of everyone on his team, and everyone on the council,” Buterbaugh said.
He also restated that, within his goal of advocacy, he would like to work closely with the student body itself, facilitating its connection to and relationship with the council. Additionally, Buterbaugh hopes to better carry out the Unity in Diversity in the House system and the institution as a whole.
“One of the things I really want to try and do is make the council more accessible, and so that is, first of all, really having a vision for how the council plays itself out,” Buterbaugh said. “But also making sure that people know what the council is doing.”