Hall of Honor Recipient
In the world of education, it takes exceptional
leadership and vision to have students feel a personal pride in
their place of learning and, at the same time, to move the school
forward. As president, Dr. Burnett has been doing just that
at Coppin State College in Baltimore, Maryland, for over 25 years.
His quarter century commitment to academic
excellence for Americans of African heritage has won him high praise
from his faculty, the community and the state of Maryland. In
1991, he successfully resisted the merger of Coppin with the larger
and more prestigious Morgan State University, Baltimores other
historically black college. The school wins praise as a
community center in the midst of a troubled city.
He was named Outstanding Educator of America in
1997. He was also listed in Whos Who in Black America in
1971, 1987, 1988, Whos Who in American History in 1971, and
Whos Who in America in 1986. He received the Boy Scouts of
America Silver Beaver Award in 1983 and the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity
Outstanding Community Service Award in 1987.
His wife, Dr. Gretta G. Burnett, is an outstanding
humanitarian. He is the father of four young adults and the
proud grandfather of three grandchildren. He is an active member
of Waters AME Church and his personal interests include existential
philosophy, classical and jazz music and gardening.