USD Magazine Fall 2006

USD MAGAZINE 6 AROUND THE PARK R hett Buttle knows things about the university that the rest of us aren’t privy to. For example, he’s got the inside story on where the skeletons are buried. “He’s actually created quite a few,” president Mary Lyons jokes, with obvious affection. You see, Buttle, a senior, has quite a lot in common with USD’s top honcho. He’s also a commander in chief — of the Associated Students. But in a unique collaboration, Buttle has gone where no former A.S. presi- dent has gone before: inside the inner workings of the top eche-

COMMANDERS IN CHIEF These two pres i dent s have each other ’s backs by Kelly Knufken and Julene Snyder [ p i n n a c l e ]

lon of university administration. “I was hired as a part-time administrative assistant in the president’s office last summer,” Buttle recalls. “My job was to do random tasks, answer the phone and work with the board of trustees.” And then he was elected A.S. president. “As president, I’m the voice of the students,” he explains. “And while the students could be in opposition to the administration, this office wants students’ voices to be heard. And now Dr. Lyons and I have this unique opportu- nity to work together.”

“He’s amazingly involved all over campus,” Lyons says. “I really depend on Rhett for hearing the truth.” “Keeping it real,” he chimes in. Both presidents are devoted to projects that benefit not just USD students, but the university as a whole, such as community service-learning and outreach. Additionally, the pair has spent a lot of time coming up with creative ideas to continue fur- thering the university’s mission. “We work together on the strategic initiatives,” Buttle explains. “Students have been involved with that effort from

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