Feb. 8, 2011

By Samantha Franz
Athletic Communications contributor

The year 1973 was a year of firsts in the state of Michigan. It was the inaugural year for a high school girls swimming championship, as well as the first year Oakland University set out to build a women's swimming program. Amy Butler Kennaugh, who swam for the Pioneers in 1973-77, was part of both of those groundbreaking events.

"Oakland offered me everything I could want, including an opportunity for a scholarship," said Butler Kennaugh. "That is so valuable because without that scholarship, I would have not been able to afford my degree. It was a life-changing moment."

Butler Kennaugh lived on campus and, like many students today, enjoyed Oakland's intimate setting.

"I really enjoyed being around the other athletes and we all enjoyed the fact that while it was a small campus, it was nice because it was personal," she said. "Most of all, I needed to be able to get my degree and that was my top priority. Oakland definitely afforded me that opportunity."

Outside of the classroom, Butler Kennaugh developed many fond memories with her swimming and diving teammates and enjoyed that she could travel the country while doing something she loved.

"One of the neat things was that the men's and women's teams always traveled together; we were a big family," she said. "I remember over Christmas, we would take our trip down to Florida to train for our season. To be able to swim in different places was exciting. I have a sign from every school I swam at and I still have that collection in my house."

But as much as Butler Kennaugh cherishes her memories as a Pioneer, it was her time as a student that she values the most.

"Oakland was the foundation for my life," she said. "It was a great education and when you're a student, you don't totally realize that until you leave and get out into the work force. I have had a great career and I have been able to look back and Oakland and say that it was because of the background I got there that I am where I am today. I love coming back to Oakland because of that.

"When I look at other universities, I always look back on my experience and the quality of the professors, the quality of the education and the ability to actually get out there with your hands and work in the field is something I always tell other people that you can't beat the quality or the opportunity Oakland offers."

After graduating with a degree in biology, Butler Kennaugh held down a few jobs across the state before her passion for environmental science led her to Lansing, where she is the Bureau Director for the Bureau of Energy Systems in the Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth.

"I have a unique and incredible career with the state and have been given the opportunity to launch several innovative plans for them. I have a whole crew that is implementing new and innovative plans in alternative energy and energy efficiency. One thing I love about my career is that I am out there with people, helping them with their businesses, home and communities and helping them achieve their goals."

Today, Butler Kennaugh is constantly on the move. In addition to a job that takes her all across the state of Michigan, she raised three sons with her husband, coached and taught swimming for more than 15 years after her time at OU and currently stays in shape with martial arts. Butler Kennaugh also hosts a cable news show, `Michigan's Energy Future Today,' that can be seen here.

Looking at today's Golden Grizzlies, Butler Kennaugh reflects on the most important thing she learned as both a student and an athlete: balance.

"Athletics is a part of your education, but it's not all of your education," she said. "I think you are always looking for that balance and different will find that balance in a different way. Both aspects were very important to me and I wouldn't have given up either one or have had it any other way."

-OAKLAND-