Nikole Babb
nbabb@cherryroad.com

Yesterday evening, the National Association of Biology Teachers, (NABT), confirmed a Butler Community College, (BCC), professor was aboard the plane that collided with an Army helicopter in Washing D.C. last night. She was identified as Lindsey Carter Fields.

“This is a tremendous loss, and please keep Lindsey, the other victims, and their families in your hearts,” said the NABT in a release. “We also ask that you respect the privacy of of her loves ones at this time.”

NABT indicated in their release that Fields was traveling to Washington D.C. to represent the NABT community and advocate for excellence in life science education. She was the NABT Board of Director’s President-Elect.

Fields was a professor in the Biology department as Department Chair. The courses she taught included General Biology, Majors Biology 1 and 2, and Anatomy and Physiology.

She’s a graduate of Seward County Community College with a Pre-Veterinary Medicine degree, Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Zoology, interned at Oklahoma City Zoo, has done PhD work at the University of Mississippi for molecular genetics and has previously taught Biology at Ole Miss and Introductory Biology, Physical Science, and Anatomy & Physiology at Northwest Mississippi Community College.

“With broken hearts we send our condolences to her family and friends, and the students, faculty and staff whom we know without a doubt were positively impacted by Lindsey’s energy and dedication to her craft,” said Butler Community College in a statement. “Lindsey was a colleague, friend, and educator who dedicated her wisdom and talents to changing students’ lives every day. We owe her much gratitude for sharing her light with us and we will forever feel this loss. We send much love and support to her family and friends during this most difficult time. Counseling services remain available, free of charge, for any student, staff or faculty member needing assistance during this time. If needed, please do not hesitate to reach out to Nancy Hamm at 316-322-3162 or email nhamm2@butlercc.edu.”

Fields described her hobbies as cooking, reading, hiking and spending time with her family and Great Dane dogs in an introductory piece on BCC’s website. She also noted that she loved to travel to the mountains and fish. BCC has announced they will observe a moment of silence across all BCC locations. They’ve invited all students, faculty, and staff to join in the reflection on February 3 at 9:45am.

The Times-Gazette extends their condolences to Fields family and friends during this heart wrenching time.