Two copies of the book — “Beacon for Mountain and Plain: Story of the University of Idaho” — have been circulating the University of Idaho campus, collecting signatures from students, faculty, staff, alumni and even Idaho Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter expressing appreciation for Interim President Don Burnett.
“(Burnett) is such a decent, intelligent man,” said Patricia Hartzell, chair of faculty senate. “One of the books he often mentions is about the University of Idaho being a Beacon for Mountain and Plain. I think Don has been a beacon for the University of Idaho.”
The end of February marks Burnett’s last days as UI’s interim president. Burnett will be replaced by Chuck Staben, who will address the university for the first time as president at 2:30 p.m. Monday in the Administration Auditorium.
Burnett said he’s thankful for the opportunity to serve as UI’s president, because it’s been the best way to give back to an institution and state that has offered his family so much.
“It has been a very gratifying experience,” Burnett said. “When I accepted the position, I considered it to be the repayment of a family debt — because my parents had gone to school at the University of Idaho during the Depression and they always thought that the University of Idaho has provided a window to the world and the gateway of opportunity.”
He said some of the heartwarming aspects of the job included the privilege of representing the university at events and communicating with Vandals through the weekly Friday letter.
“During both the public appearances and in writing the Friday letter, I’ve attempted to reassert the historical uniqueness of the University of Idaho and to connect our uniqueness to our current mission,” Burnett said. “We are as I’ve often said and I string these words together — we are the national, land-grant, founding, comprehensive, constitutional and therefore flagship university.”
Burnett has worked on a number of initiatives during his term, such as improving campus safety by partaking in the alcohol and substance abuse and Greek life task forces, advancing relationships with partners in the agriculture industry, serving as the chair of the President’s Council of Higher Education and promoting the university in the Idaho Legislature.
“The Legislature is still in session, so we don’t know what the ultimate outcome will be,” Burnett said. “But things are looking favorable for most of the appropriations and other measures that we have brought to the Legislature this time.”
Burnett said he’s also worked on smaller projects, such as the purchase of land near Gritman Medical Center and the Intermodal Transit Center, which he said he hopes will strengthen UI ties with the city and hospital.
He said one the most difficult yet rewarding aspects of being president was ensuring relevant constituency groups had a say in university policy changes.
“An example of that was the classification process that we are still seeking to finish up,” Burnett said. “To redefine the various jobs that our very dedicated staff perform for the university and there was discontent with how that process started before I came into office. But we put a pause on the process and introduced new opportunity for re-examination of the various job positions and more time to express their views.”
Interim provost Katherine Aiken said Burnett has demonstrated the true meaning of service to the university community.
“He has given of himself unstintingly and has made the success of the University of Idaho his priority. We all owe him a tremendous debt of gratitude,” Aiken said.
Burnett said he owes a tremendous amount of thanks to everyone he worked with during his presidency and he couldn’t have succeeded without the help of each and every individual. From SBOE officials, to assistants and colleagues, to student leaders, he said not one person should go unrecognized.
Even though Burnett’s executive duties are coming to a close, that isn’t keeping him from staying at UI.
“I’m a member of the law faculty, so I’ll go back to the law school, not as the dean — I’ve completed my administrative service. I will go back as a faculty member and teach a couple of courses,” Burnett said. “I’ve been teaching throughout my deanship, so I will resume teaching a course on professional ethics and introduction to civil procedure, which is in essence how lawsuits work including related topics.”
Burnett said he will also do some scholarly work and writing, as well as help the university advance initiatives such as creating an Idaho Law and Justice Learning Center in Boise, improving the undergraduate honors program and creating a seminar series to feature the work of UI faculty.
“I believe that over the next year or two, I may be phasing down some of the work in contemplation of retirement. But right after March 1, I’ll still be here,” Burnett said.
Excited to have more time to spend with his wife, two sons and grandchildren, Burnett said he is ready to start the next chapter in his life.
“It’s been humbling and fulfilling,” Burnett said. “I now look forward to taking my old Subaru car and driving it down the hill to the law school and continuing life as a faculty member.”
Amber Emery can be reached at [email protected]