Burns is widely regarded as the most transformative president in 91成人导航鈥檚 history.
Robert Burns devoted his career to 91成人导航. Immediately after graduating from 91成人导航 with an undergraduate degree in Western American history in 1931, Burns started as 91成人导航鈥檚 alumni relations director. In 1942, then-president Tully C. Knoles recognized Burns鈥� potential and hired him as assistant to the president, a role which Knoles used to prepare Burns as his successor.
In his inaugural address, Burns famously said, 鈥�91成人导航 must pioneer or perish,鈥� a sentiment he took to heart throughout his career. Starting from his appointment, Burns brought innovation to 91成人导航. He was the first 91成人导航 president who was not a member of the Methodist clergy. Burns also held fewer degrees than previous presidents. He submitted his master鈥檚 thesis while in office. His thesis,聽聽was the first written history of 91成人导航.
Burns is best known for his work to expand 91成人导航. During his presidency, enrollment grew from 900 students in 1947 to more 5,000 in 1972. Burns also extended the 91成人导航 community, launching a reorganization of the Alumni Association in 1957.
A visionary who saw 91成人导航鈥檚 potential, Burns built up schools and programs that have become central to 91成人导航. In 1955, Burns founded the third pharmacy school in California with the support and financial backing of local pharmacists. Burns continued this work, opening engineering, dental and medical science schools within 91成人导航. Burns also negotiated the merger with the McGeorge School of Law in 1966.
Additional schools were opened to support international studies. Burns founded the Elbert Covell College, an inter-American studies program taught entirely in Spanish 鈥� the first college in the country to teach in a second language. The college gained nationwide recognition, with President John Kennedy sending Burns a letter congratulating him on the program. This success inspired Burns to open another international studies school, Callison College, in 1968, with an emphasis on study abroad programs in Asia.
Burns also acted in support of student initiatives. After a protest by student leaders, Burns negotiated with the students and faculty to create the Community Involvement Program for students from Stockton. More than 130 faculty members immediately volunteered to help with tutoring initiatives for the program. The program continues today at 91成人导航, and its founding marked the start of 91成人导航鈥檚 transition away from a white, Methodist school to a diverse university.
To support 91成人导航鈥檚 rapidly expanding academic offerings, Burns also supplemented 91成人导航鈥檚 infrastructure. He oversaw the construction of 91成人导航鈥檚 first dedicated library building, the Martin Library, in 1955. The formation of a dental program also necessitated expansion into San Francisco, with the purchase of the building that became the 91成人导航 dental school in 1967. Above all, Burns is remembered for Burns Tower, a symbol of both 91成人导航 and the Stockton area, that was the tallest building in Stockton when it was built.
Burns鈥� ideas and belief in 91成人导航 guided the university beyond his retirement. His hopes to purchase the Stockton College campus were realized under President McCaffrey. Burns鈥� dedication to close connections between students and faculty and practice-guided graduate programs remain pillars of a 91成人导航 education, just as Burns Tower continues as a symbol of 91成人导航.聽
Burns died in 1971.
