Friends Rally to Support The Dan Butler ‘84 TV-4 Endowment Fund

                The St. John’s Jesuit community lost an inspirational alumnus and a friend to many, Daniel William Butler, age 44, in August 2010.

                For the Class of 1984, Dan Butler was one of its most well-known and memorable students.  The caption next to his senior picture describes his activities:  Student Council President, Salutatorian, Cheerleader, Campion Hall, Dance Committee, Homecoming Committee, Welcoming Committee, Special Action Committee, Intramurals, Volunteers, and TV-4.   

SJJ faculty remember Dan for his keen sense of humor and for the vision to revolutionize a very staid TV-4 making it more current and beloved by students who would look forward to daily morning broadcasts of skits and side-cracking commentary led by Dan and the TV-4 crew.  Today, TV-4 is a staple at SJJ.

English Teacher Tom Harms has fond memories of Dan.  “He was a jolly, good-natured, high-energy guy, always good for a laugh.  One of the most spontaneously funny people I’ve ever known, he was so much fun to hang around with.

“A born leader, Dan always had multiple projects going on at once:  a comedy video for TV-4, some idea to pump up school spirit, another one to promote mission collection.  He was an announcer, producer, and actor during a Golden Age at TV-4.  He and Phil Mariasy ‘84 and friends produced a daily morning news show and a number of videos that kept the whole school watching with interest, wondering,  ‘What are they going to come up with next?!’  Dan could ad-lib on the news with the ease of David Letterman, or a Jimmy Fallon, and he could lighten up a video with the goofy good humor of a Steve Martin,” Tom said.

His peers can’t forget the skits “The Day the School Tilted;” “The Indecisive Man;” or Dan’s attempt at MTV4 by singing “Once in a Lifetime” by the Talking Heads. First period would kick off with students filling the halls laughing at what they had just seen on TV-4.  It was the best way to start the day at SJJ, thanks to Dan and the TV-4 crew.  

At graduation, Dan recited “My Way” by Frank Sinatra, word for word for his salutatorian address.  According to Tom Duggan ’84, everyone in the audience thought he was just joking around, but in fact, he was serious.  “He was telling our class to just go out in life and do it ‘your way,’ with no limits and no holding back.”

                After graduating from Indiana University in 1988, Dan went on to Chicago and worked at the Chicago Board of Trade.  Eventually, he followed his passion and went to New York City to study film at New York University.  He worked in New York and in Los Angeles in the film industry, mostly as a screen writer.  His screen writing adventures took Dan around the world.  Some of his funniest moments in the business came from his days working for the actor Al Pacino. 

                In August 2010, Dan passed away following a seven-year battle with cancer. For his family and many friends, Dan will be remembered for his love and kindness and for his extraordinary sense of humor.  His strong passion for life was most prevalent during his battle with cancer.  Dan would not give in to the disease, and he fought to live his life to the fullest.

                Dan’s brother, Dave ‘83 said, “Everything about Dan was fun and smart and interesting.  He had a world of great experiences, but he was devoted to St. John’s and his buddies, and he still wore a Titans t-shirt constantly even when he was living with us last year.  You can take the boy out of St. John’s, but you can’t take St. John’s out of the boy.  To see his friends and his school return the devotion to Dan lets us all know that we’re not alone when it gets ugly and that’s everything.  One of the great testaments to Dan’s leadership and appeal was that he became best friends with my best friends.  In fact, every time I hooked up with my SJJ buddies, the first thing that they would ask  ‘Is Danny coming?  He is a great guy!’ And, then the stories and the laughing would start.”

                Friends reminisce about their “Top Ten” even “Top 100” stories of Dan.  “Where do you begin?” asked Tom Duggan ’84. “You see, the stories about Dan were endless. It was not about 10 stories, nor 100 stories, but innumerable stories of fun, jokes, and gut-wrenching laughter.  Dan made an impression on everyone that he met.  There is just too much to tell about Dan. That’s the best part about knowing Dan…a lifetime of memories.”

                SJJ alumni Bob Wanucha ‘84, Tom Duggan ‘84, Dan Beattie ’84, and Mark Swentkofske ‘84 did not want their friend’s memory or his contribution to SJJ to fade away.  To honor Dan, they helped create The Dan Butler ’84 TV-4 Endowment Fund.    This endowment will be used for improvements to TV-4 and will provide opportunities for current students to develop their creative talents behind the camera and in front of the camera, just as Dan did during his time at SJJ.

                “We lost a great friend. He touched the lives of many during his years at SJJ and after.  Our duty as Titans is to participate in this endowment in response to how unselfishly Dan Butler gave to ALL of the student body during his four years at SJJ.  We owe it to Dan’s legacy, to his family, and to our Titan values that shaped us as undergrads at St. John’s.  The TV-4 endowment will provide a memorial for Dan who was one of its shining stars.   Dan was always about the ‘moment.’  So, let’s support his moment through this endowment and make an impact on the future of SJJ,” Wanucha said.

                TV-4 gave Dan the opportunity to find his calling – to write, perform and broadcast at an early age.  It’s no surprise to anyone who watched him that “The World’s First Tap-Dancing Journalist” ended up as a Hollywood screenwriter.  TV-4 allowed Dan to start dreaming big.  According to Dan’s younger brothers  Kevin and Brian ‘87, Dan would be extremely proud to have an endowment in his name to benefit TV-4.  “In one of his skits, Dan gave a mock expose’ on the phenomena of “chimpnapping” where chimpanzees were held against their will and forced to yodel.  At the end of the skit, Dan asked for donations and signed off with a fitting quote for this endowment:  ‘Your help will help…we hope.’”

                Dan’s friends are working to raise $50,000 over the next five years.  A plaque will be placed in the TV-4 studio in memory of Dan.  The plaque will be unveiled during Titan Weekend on Saturday, July 16, 2011.   To support this endowment in memory of Dan, click here.  For more information, contact Brett Loney ’88, Vice President of Advancement, 419-865-5743, ext. 265, or email Brett at loney@sjjtitans.org.