Howard J. Burnett
Encyclopedia
Howard Jerome Burnett is a former president of Washington & Jefferson College
.
Burnett, a native of Holyoke, Massachusetts
, earned a B.A. degree in political science from Amherst College
in 1952; he earned magna cum laude
honors and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. As a Rhodes Scholar, he studied at Oxford University, earning B.A. and M.A. degrees in philosophy, politics, and economics. Burnett earned his Ph.D. in government and international relations from New York University
in 1965.
Prior to entering academia, Burnett gained experience in business and served in the military. Burnett was an assistant professor of government and assistant to the president at Corning Community College
from 1962 through 1964. He served as president of the College Center of the Finger Lakes
from 1964 through 1970. He was awarded an honorary degree
of Doctor of Laws by Ithaca College
1965.
Burnett took office as president of Washington & Jefferson College
on July 1, 1970; he was officially inaugurated on April 3, 1971. During that year, W&J admitted its first female students, hired its first female faculty members, and hired a woman to be Associate Dean of Student Personnel. The school also adopted a new academic calendar to include intersession
.
To celebrate the bicentennial of W&J's founding, Burnett spearheaded the "Bicentennial Development Program," which resulted in the construction of three new buildings on campus: the Dieter-Porter Life Sciences Building, the Olin Fine Arts Center, and the Rossin Campus Center. During Burnett's tenure, the college acquired and renovated the W & J Alumni House, restored and renovated Thompson Memorial and McMillan Hall
s, added several residence facilities, and opened the Student Resource Center. The college expanded its academic programs to include the Entrepreneurial Studies Program, the Freshman Forum, and cooperative international education programs with institutions in England, Colombia and Russia, and student enrollment grew from 830 in 1970 to 1,100 in 1998. Burnett retired as president on June 30, 1998.
The Howard J. Burnett Center at Washington & Jefferson is named after him.
Washington & Jefferson College
Washington & Jefferson College, also known as W & J College or W&J, is a private liberal arts college in Washington, Pennsylvania, in the United States, which is south of Pittsburgh...
.
Burnett, a native of Holyoke, Massachusetts
Holyoke, Massachusetts
Holyoke is a city in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States, between the western bank of the Connecticut River and the Mount Tom Range of mountains. As of the 2010 Census, the city had a population of 39,880...
, earned a B.A. degree in political science from Amherst College
Amherst College
Amherst College is a private liberal arts college located in Amherst, Massachusetts, United States. Amherst is an exclusively undergraduate four-year institution and enrolled 1,744 students in the fall of 2009...
in 1952; he earned magna cum laude
Latin honors
Latin honors are Latin phrases used to indicate the level of academic distinction with which an academic degree was earned. This system is primarily used in the United States, Canada, and in many countries of continental Europe, though some institutions also use the English translation of these...
honors and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. As a Rhodes Scholar, he studied at Oxford University, earning B.A. and M.A. degrees in philosophy, politics, and economics. Burnett earned his Ph.D. in government and international relations from New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
in 1965.
Prior to entering academia, Burnett gained experience in business and served in the military. Burnett was an assistant professor of government and assistant to the president at Corning Community College
Corning Community College
Corning Community College in the U.S. state of New York was initiated in 1957 and moved to its Spencer Hill campus in 1963. This two-year college serves three counties: Steuben, Chemung, and Schuyler...
from 1962 through 1964. He served as president of the College Center of the Finger Lakes
Finger Lakes Community College
Finger Lakes Community College, often abbreviated FLCC, is a college affiliated with the State University of New York. The college has four locations: Canandaigua , and campus centers in Victor, Geneva, and Newark, all in order to serve the needs of Ontario County, Wayne County, Yates County and...
from 1964 through 1970. He was awarded an honorary degree
Honorary degree
An honorary degree or a degree honoris causa is an academic degree for which a university has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, study, and the passing of examinations...
of Doctor of Laws by Ithaca College
Ithaca College
Ithaca College is a private college located on the South Hill of Ithaca, New York. The school was founded by William Egbert in 1892 as a conservatory of music. The college has a strong liberal arts core, but also offers several pre-professional programs and some graduate programs. The college is...
1965.
Burnett took office as president of Washington & Jefferson College
Washington & Jefferson College
Washington & Jefferson College, also known as W & J College or W&J, is a private liberal arts college in Washington, Pennsylvania, in the United States, which is south of Pittsburgh...
on July 1, 1970; he was officially inaugurated on April 3, 1971. During that year, W&J admitted its first female students, hired its first female faculty members, and hired a woman to be Associate Dean of Student Personnel. The school also adopted a new academic calendar to include intersession
Intersession
Intersession is a short break or mini-term between the traditional, standard academic terms. An intersession may be a period of a few weeks between semesters or quarters during which students can take short, accelerated classes or complete other academic work....
.
To celebrate the bicentennial of W&J's founding, Burnett spearheaded the "Bicentennial Development Program," which resulted in the construction of three new buildings on campus: the Dieter-Porter Life Sciences Building, the Olin Fine Arts Center, and the Rossin Campus Center. During Burnett's tenure, the college acquired and renovated the W & J Alumni House, restored and renovated Thompson Memorial and McMillan Hall
McMillan Hall
McMillan Hall is a building on the campus of Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, Pennsylvania, United States. Built in 1793, it is the only surviving building from Washington Academy...
s, added several residence facilities, and opened the Student Resource Center. The college expanded its academic programs to include the Entrepreneurial Studies Program, the Freshman Forum, and cooperative international education programs with institutions in England, Colombia and Russia, and student enrollment grew from 830 in 1970 to 1,100 in 1998. Burnett retired as president on June 30, 1998.
The Howard J. Burnett Center at Washington & Jefferson is named after him.