Faculty Spotlight: Dr. James N. Butler Jr.

Dr. James N. Butler, Jr., Professor of Agricultural Education in the Department of Agriculture, Geosciences, and Natural Resources, is this weeks’ faculty spotlight.  Dr. Butler is originally from Lincoln Parish Louisiana.  

Dr. Butler is passionate about teaching, liked teaching as a profession, and decided to make a career in teaching.  Before coming to the University of Tennessee at Martin, Dr. Butler taught high school for ten years.  He later decided that he wanted to teach on the collegiate level.  

Dr. Butler has been teaching at the University of Tennessee at Martin for 18 years now.  He takes pride in what he likes to do and that is to teach and educate others.  “I take pleasure and pride in seeing students graduate and become successful members and leaders of their community.” said Dr. Butler.

Students, that has had Dr. Butler as a professor or an advisor takes great pride in his guidance and his knowledge of his teachings.  He is very knowledgeable about agriculture.  Dr. Butler also gives great advice to students as well as his colleagues when it comes to the subject Agriculture.  

Chris Martin, junior Agriculture Communications major had this to say about Dr. Butler.  “I don’t think my college experience would have been as great as it has been without him as my advisor. He is very knowledge and great to have class with, and he is always around to help his students.  Dr. Butler is my advisor so I see him almost every day.

Over the year he has given me so much good advice I can’t tell you just one specific instant. He truly cares about his student and I feel that he embodies the FFAs mission of Premier Leadership, Personal Growth, and Career Success through agriculture education. It is evident in even study that he has come in content with.” Martin said.Dr. James Butler is well liked by his colleagues and students.  

“Dr. Butler has helped me not only with my major choice but he is more than an advisor. Dr. Butler gives life advice and helps his students each and every day.” said Syrena Flowers, sophomore Agriculture Communications and Elementary Education major.  

“Dr. Butler is an amazing guy. He is passionate about Agriculture and helping his students to succeed in school and in life. He will help you the best that he can and if he can’t, he will keep trying anyway. He is one of the best teachers at Martin!’’  said Flowers.

 Dr. Butler enjoys having students in class that are just as passionate about agriculture as he is.  “It is nice when students give me credit for having influenced them in some positive way, I consider this extra pay” said Dr. Butler.

Dr. Butler received his B .S. Agriculture degree at Louisiana Tech University with a Business Minor.  He received M. A. Degree in Education at Louisiana Tech University and also received a Minor in Environmental Studies.  Dr. James Butler received his Ph.D. in Agricultural and Extension Education at Mississippi State University.