A Columbus education leader whose years of relationship building between the city and Indiana University led to the creation of new academic programs earned the highest recognition the university’s president can bestow.
John Burnett, president and chief executive officer of the Community Education Coalition, received the President’s Medal for Excellence from IU President Michael McRobbie during Thursday evening’s dedication ceremony of The Republic Building, the former home of the newspaper but now the home of IU’s new J. Irwin Miller Architecture Program.
The medal, made of antique silver and featuring the university’s seal, is given to individuals for outstanding academic, artistic or professional accomplishments, and to individuals for exceptional service to the university.
The setting for the award presentation was appropriate, because Burnett played a key role in creating the university’s new master’s program in architecture.
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He pitched the idea of a master’s program to the university in 2015, to take advantage of the city’s design heritage and more than 65 examples of Modern architecture. The program also was to serve as an extension of the previous collaboration between IU and the city, the IU Center for Art + Design in Columbus, which opened in 2011, also thanks to efforts by Burnett.
“John Burnett, Indiana University salutes you. You are highly respected for your dedicated efforts to support and advance this community,” McRobbie said.
“It’s no exaggeration to say that without your expertise, your guidance and your dedicated support, the establishment of the J. Irwin Miller architecture program here in this historic Republic Building would not be possible,” the president added, moments before placing the medal around Burnett’s neck.
Burnett, 62, said he received a letter from McRobbie about a week before the ceremony, indicating he would be recognized with the high honor.
“I was like, ‘Whoa! Why me? I’m just here trying to make the connection between our community and Indiana University. I’m very honored.”
Burnett said the honor is heartwarming, but added that it’s a credit to the collaborative work by local stakeholders and IU over the years.
“It’s not about me. It’s about the work we’ve been doing. It’s about being part of something that improves the human condition,” Burnett said.
Ironically, Burnett never attended IU, even though both of his parents earned degrees there and became teachers, and many family members have attended IU. Instead, he went to Indiana State University on a tennis scholarship and earned English and education degrees there.
But in his role as head of the Columbus-based Community Education Coalition, guiding a collaboration of education, business and community leaders to align education and workforce needs in Columbus and southeast Indiana, he’s had many interactions with IU.
During the medal presentation ceremony, William B. Stephan, vice president of engagement for IU, noted additional ways that Burnett has shown himself as “a devoted servant of Columbus and southeast Indiana.”
He said that Burnett:
Spearhead an effort to raise $2.5 million to make help make IUCA+D possible
Led fundraising efforts for pay for the refurbishing of the interior of The Republic Building
Serves on IUPUC Board of Advisers
Played a key role in fundraising efforts that led to the creation of the Columbus Learning Center, IUPUC Center for Teaching and Learning, Advanced Manufacturing Center for Excellence, Computational Analysis Simulation and Engineering Lab at IUPUC
“He expanded and strengthened higher education in Columbus,” Stephan said.
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WHO: John Burnett
WHAT: President and chief executive officer of the Community Education Coalition
AGE: 62
EDUCATION: Columbus North High School, 1974; Indiana State University, Bachelor of Science in English and Education, 1978.
WORK BACKGROUND:
President and chief executive officer, Community Education Coalition, 2008 to present
President, Irwin Financial Foundation, 2006-2008
President and chief executive officer, Community Education Coalition, 1999 to 2006
Co-owner of Adecco Personnel Services in Buffalo, New York 1997 and 1998
Cummins Engine Co., 1984 to 1997, in human resource management roles
High school English teacher and tennis coach, professional tennis teacher/coach, 1978-84 (including Indiana State University men’s tennis coach 1980 to 1982)
FAMILY: Wife, Deborah; daughters, Anne (Nathan) O’Neill, and Kate (Eric) Sarlitto.
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