Dr. Michael Burns 

Let me begin with Legend of McDevitt Julie Lieber’s nominating statement, augmented with a few elements from classmate and fellow Hall of Fame member Jane Metzler:

Dr. Michael Burns was a Social Studies teacher at Bishop McDevitt for over 21 years; twelve of those years as head of the Social Studies Department. He taught all four class- years, Freshman through Senior, and originated Advanced Placement classes in that department. He was the first McDevitt faculty member to hold a Ph.D., which he earned from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, following his undergraduate work at St. Joseph’s University and his high school preparation at Father Judge. After leaving McDevitt, Mike went on to be an Adjunct Lecturer in the areas of US History and Western Civilization at St. Joe’s while teaching full-time at Haddonfield Memorial High School. He is fluent in Spanish and German, with a rudimentary knowledge of Polish, as well. Mike also worked at the Phillies Ticket Office during his summer breaks, saying it was a joy to work for that wonderful organization. But, most of all, he was a well-liked teacher with an amazing knowledge of American History; many have called him “the best teacher they ever had.”

He was, to me and so many other students and colleagues over the years, the very model of a modern teacher-scholar. He calmly and quietly set high expectations – for his students and for himself – and he followed through with solid content and effective pedagogy. My classmate and fellow Hall of Fame member John McVeigh shared this anecdote:

“He gave me a D+ on my comparison paper (The Jeffersonian Republicans vs. the Federalists).  He actually put A-minus at the top, then crossed it out and replaced it with a D+ for being three days late.  He was tough but I guess that was a lesson to be learned.  I did not hand in another paper that year after a deadline.  And because I did not, he rearranged the weight of that D+ on my final grade.  He signed my yearbook thusly: ‘To a punctual student, best of luck, Mr. Burns.’” 

John added, “He was tough, fair, beyond intelligent, but most of all, self-assured enough to enable his students to feel smart, as well.  He was a confidence builder, but you had to work for it and earn it.  He made that clear and followed through on it.” 

For my part, one personal story. While I don’t ever recall him ever calling attention in our classroom to his own doctoral studies (which he was completing in what teachers who spent their days with us somewhat wistfully called their “free time”), he clued me in just a bit one afternoon when he gave me a ride while I was hitchhiking home along Easton Road. (Those were the days.) He was the first person ever to plant the letters “Ph.D.” in my cranium and, even if ever so slightly, helped lay the groundwork for an aspiration to be fulfilled in later years.

Thanks again, Doc.

In closing, from Dr. Burns’ fellow Legend of McDevitt, Sister Dolores Beatty:

“This is what I want to say to my dear Michael:

I applaud my dear friend Mike Burns on your induction into the Hall of Fame. You were the best department chair a girl could ever have.  To me, you are a legacy for all times. You are a man of honor, honesty, and integrity  to your students and colleagues! I always remember your visit to my mother on Robbins Avenue with little Jesse. She was thrilled because my Boss was coming to dinner!”