UTS remembers Rev. Dr. Calvin Otis Butts III, MDiv 1975, Unitas Distinguished Alumnus 2014, who passed away on Friday at his Harlem home. Passionately committed to public activism on behalf of oppressed communities – especially the Black community in Harlem, the people of New York City, people across the nation, and across the Diaspora – Rev. Butts served the Abyssinian Baptist Church in a ministerial capacity for over 40 years, beginning while still a student at Union Theological Seminary under the distinguished then-Senior-Pastor, the Rev. Dr. Samuel DeWitt Proctor. Union lauds his stellar example as a leader, role model, prophetic voice and compassionate counselor. May God comfort his family, friends and congregants during this difficult time.
“Calvin was an exemplary leader who led with great compassion, empathy, and wisdom. His incredible legacy lives on through the many many lives of all those he touched and supported in his quest to proclaim the Gospel and advance justice. This is a tremendous loss for the Union and broader community – we miss him dearly,” said Union President Rev. Dr. Serene Jones.
“Our beloved brother, Rev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts, was an intellectual giant and spiritual genius! We shall never forget his prophetic witness,” stated Union’s Dietrich Bonhoeffer Professor of Philosophy & Christian Practice, Dr. Cornel West.
Read Rev. Dr. Calvin Otis Butts’s obituary here.