Dr. Calvin O. Butts III

Dr. Calvin O. Butts III is President of State University of New York College at Old Westbury and pastor of the nationally renowned Abyssinian Baptist Church in the City of New York. As president, Butts works continuously to create an invigorating atmosphere dedicated to academic excellence and the development of leadership qualities in students. In working to enable Old Westbury to achieve its fullest potential, Butts has guided the campus as it has grown its enrollment, added full-time faculty, and expanded the services it provides to support and aid students. Under his leadership, the college earned accreditation from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, has invested more than $4 million in cutting-edge technologies, has introduced five new residence halls and a new student union, and secured $72 million towards construction of a new academic building for the campus.

A native of New York City, Butts earned his bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. He returned to New York and earned a master’s degree in church history from the Union Theological Seminary, and a doctorate degree from Drew University. Along with his presidency at the College at Old Westbury, Butts continues as pastor of the Abyssinian Baptist Church in the City of New York—among the most historic churches in the nation. Under his leadership, Abyssinian Baptist Church is committed to playing an active role in the ongoing development of its New York City home.

Butts is the Chairman of the Board of the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS (NBLCA) and a founding member of the organization’s Board of Commissioners. He is also Co-Chair of the African American Men and Boys Initiative (AAMB), a special initiative being supported by the Board of Trustees of the W. K. Kellogg Foundation and housed at Morgan State University.

Butts has received innumerable honors and commendations, including Man of the Year, Morehouse College Alumni Association; The Morehouse College Candle Award; The William M. Moss Distinguished Brotherhood Award; and The Louise Fisher Morris Humanitarian Award.