208SPRING LEADERSHIP BYE-TERBAUGH Tom Buterbaugh retires after 30 years of creating Harding publications. BLAST FROM THE PAST Tom Buterbaugh speaks to the student body during yearbook chapel. Buterbaugh was the editor-in-chief of the Petit Jean in 1978. Photo courtesy of: Harding University archives Since the first publication of the Harding magazine in 1993, Tom Buterbaugh was a major asset to the communications and marketing team and the whole Harding community. Buterbaugh graduated from Harding in 1978 and returned to campus in 1991 to become the director of publications. He announced his retirement for May 2022 after 30 years of working and creating publications. “It just seems like the right time to move on and let others fill the role,” Buterbaugh said. “This is a really good, cohesive group that is fun to work with, and I will miss interactions with those people.” Buterbaugh’s love for Harding was shown in everything he did for the school. He spent eight months of his earlier career at Harding transforming the periodic publication from the tabloid format into the current magazine. “It was amazing to watch as he analyzed and scrutinized every minute detail of the proposed new publication to assure it met his new high standards,” Buterbaugh’s former supervisor David Crouch said. “Every succeeding issue has shown his attention to detail in design, selection of articles and emphasis of themes reflected in the magazine. He has been so important to the University since he took over the publications area of the University.” When Buterbaugh retired, he carried with him all of his skills and knowledge of Harding and the magazine. “One word to describe Tom and what he does for Harding is chronicler,” Director of Alumni and Parent Relations Heather Kemper said. “He has spent years of his life beautifully and gracefully documenting Harding’s history through the Harding magazine and other publications. His dedication in documenting the details of the happenings at Harding has been a significant contribution that will have a profound impact on the next 100 years.” He was missed by his coworkers and the community because of everything he provided through the publications he created and sustained throughout the years. “I will miss talking to him about Harding’s history and trusting his experience to help guide our projects,” Assistant Vice President of University Communications and Marketing Candice Moore said. “His love for Harding is contagious and has helped us keep our focus on sharing the important mission of the University. I’ve been blessed to call Tom a friend and wish him all the best on the next stage of his journey.” WRITTEN BY KAYLEIGH TRITSCHLER
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