The origin of the journey is important, University of Idaho Interim President Don Burnett said.
And Burnett’s journey began here.
Burnett is an Idaho native born in Pocatello to parents who were first-generation college students, both of whom attended UI.
“They came to view the University of Idaho as their gateway to the world,” he said. “They passed on to me, as well as my brother, a very strong sense of gratitude to the University of Idaho for the opportunities they had later in life.”
This is why Burnett said he was happy to come serve at UI.
“When I was the dean at the Brandeis School of Law in Louisville, Kent., in 2002 and the siren song of Idaho was sung to me, it was a melody that I received happily and I accepted the offer to come here as the dean of our law school,” he said.
Throughout his nearly 11 years at UI, Burnett has been an integral part of several initiatives.
One is the expansion of UI’s law school. Before he even began at UI, Burnett was asked by former UI president Bob Hoover to participate in a strategic planning panel to examine the future of Idaho legal education.
“It became clear to me and other members of the panel … that in order to fulfill the statewide mission assigned to UI by the Idaho State Board of Education, the college of law would need to establish and expand a presence in the state capitol in addition to maintaining the strength in its program here in Moscow,” he said.
The SBOE authorized a third-year law program in Boise in 2008 and recently authorized a second-year program too.
“I would say the strategic planning process that has occurred over the last 11 years now has been one of the most rewarding but also challenging aspects of my service here,” Burnett said.
Another initiative is an increase in diversity. Following Burnett’s arrival in 2002, he chaired UI’s Steering Committee on Human Rights and Diversity. Burnett said that’s when he realized diversity should be an important priority — not only for the college of law, but the university as a whole.
“Diversity is not a matter of political correctness, it is a matter of academic excellence,” he said. “I believe this school is academically stronger than ever because of the diversity of demographic backgrounds, gender and viewpoints that are represented in this academic community.”
A third initiative Burnett’s taken part in is the interdisciplinary collaboration in teaching and research.
“I think the University of Idaho is taking a very important lead in creating pathways of cooperation among departments and among colleges,” he said. “And this will be important to assuring that our research addresses real, societal needs and to assuring that our students graduate with the knowledge and skills to be effective in whatever careers they choose.”
Burnett is currently the coordinating dean for the interdisciplinary programs in environmental science, water resources and the professional science master’s program.
“Taken together, these are among the strongest programs in the university, and they are a prototype for the future,” Burnett said.
While working under five different presidents during his time at UI, Burnett said he realized the importance of connecting the university with external constituencies, such as the SBOE, Idaho Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter, the legislature and for the college of law, the Idaho Supreme Court. He said in the private sector, businesses, non-profit organizations and private foundations are essential for UI to achieve a margin of excellence made possible by combining public funds with private support.
“The president is really a translator between these external constituencies and the internal community of faculty, staff and students,” Burnett said.
Burnett said he’s come to appreciate UI’s status as not only a land-grant institution, but also a comprehensive founding university.
“Taking full advantage of this combined identity … is a very high calling and continues to be a beckoning opportunity for the University of Idaho.”
Burnett said he plans to continue several initiatives after UI President M. Duane Nellis takes his position at Texas Tech University.
He said the overriding one is the “Inspiring Futures” capital campaign, in which the university seeks to raise $225 million. To date, UI has reached about 81 percent of its goal. Burnett said the four cornerstones of the campaign are providing resources for facilities, student scholarships, faculty support and programs.
“I will be devoting a considerable amount of my time as interim president to working with the deans and the university advancement office to move us toward achievement of our capital campaign goal,” he said.
Burnett said he also plans to move forward with Nellis’ appointed task force on enrollment and research growth, or “Task Force 2020,” the task forces on student safety and Greek life and a continued promotion of diversity and interdisciplinary cooperation.
Burnett said he hasn’t made specific plans proceeding his time as interim president. He said he won’t return as the College of Law dean because an interim or long-term dean will already have been established, but will still have status as a law faculty member.
Burnett said he hopes he can devote his time as interim president to reinforcing a sense of pride in the University of Idaho.
“We come and we go on campus, we see each other in the supermarkets,” he said. “Sometimes we should just pause to reflect what an extraordinary community this is.”
Britt Kiser can be reached at [email protected]