Kenneth V. Botton, PhD

Director of Church Partnerships, Dr. Kenneth V. Botton, is a native Californian. The recipient of a full NROTC scholarship, he attended the University of New Mexico and received a Navy Commission upon graduation in December 1971. His career spanned almost 23 years, and Dr. Botton saw service as both a line officer and a Chaplain. His assignments included tours of duty in Australia and Japan, as well as shipboard duty on board USS Grand Canyon (AR-28) and USS Kansas City (AOR 3). As a Navy chaplain, Dr. Botton also served with the United States Marine Corps (Third Marine Division) and the United States Coast Guard (Support Center, Governors Island, New York). Retiring from active duty in 1994 with the rank of Lieutenant Commander, Dr. Botton's personal awards from the military include the Navy Commendation Medal with two gold stars and the Coast Guard Commendation Medal.

After concluding his military career, Dr. Botton moved to the Chicagoland area and became the “Endorsing Agent” for the Plymouth Brethren military chaplains, as well as the Administrator for INTEREST Ministries and editor of INTEREST Magazine. In 1996 Botton accepted the position of Director of Admission at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and Trinity Graduate School. In 2006 Trinity named Dr. Botton as the new Director of Church Partnerships.

Dr. Botton’s graduate education includes the completion of a Master of Divinity degree from Talbot Theological Seminary in La Mirada, California (1981), a Master of Arts (Christian Education) from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (1990) and a PhD (Educational Studies), also from TEDS (2004).

Dr. Botton maintains an active schedule of itinerant preaching and concurrently serves as an associate Chaplain for Chicago O’Hare International Airport—a ministry of the Great Lakes District, EFCA. Dr. Botton also serves on the Executive Committee of the National Conference on Ministry to the Armed Forces (NCMAF). He has had articles published in INTEREST Magazine, Emmaus Journey, Christian Education Journal, and the Baker Dictionary of Christian Education.

Ken and his wife, Patty, currently live in Lindenhurst, Illinois. They have been married since 1971 and enjoy classical music, travel, and golf.