Mickey L. Burnim appointed president of Bowie State University

Marsha McLean
June 26, 2006 On June 23, 2006, upon approval of the University System of Maryland (USM) Board of Regents, Dr. Mickey L. Burnim was appointed the next president of Bowie State University (BSU). He will join BSU on or around September 1, 2006. In response to the announcement, Dr. Burnim stated, &quotI am pleased and excited about the opportunity this affords me, professionally and personally, and intend to provide the leadership Bowie State University needs at this time in its history. I will truly miss all of the fine people at Elizabeth City State University, the community, and my years with the University of North Carolina system. LaVera and I appreciate the community support and hospitality shown us during our time in Elizabeth City. Our appreciation extends to the northeast region of North Carolina in which ECSU serves. We will always feel a part of this region and hold its citizens and communities near to our hearts.&quot Burnim has served as chancellor of Elizabeth City State since July 1, 1996. Under Burnim’s leadership, Elizabeth City State has moved forward steadily. To improve operational efficiency, Burnim reorganized the university into four schools: Arts and Humanities Business and Economics Education and Psychology and Mathematics, Science, and Technology. The university has expanded its curriculum to include seven new baccalaureate degree programs (including marine environmental science, social work, communication studies, and pharmaceutical science) and implemented its first three master’s degree programs in elementary education, biology, and mathematics. Since 2001, student enrollment has increased 38 percent. Burnim also has led the university to increase its private fund raising from $60,000 in 1995 to an annual fund total of $2.5 million this year. In addition, Burnim is credited with initiating new business, civic, and educational partnerships and establishing the university’s first two endowed professorships. Burnim will bring to the BSU presidency more than 30 years of experience in higher education. Prior to serving as the chancellor of Elizabeth City State University, he served for nearly one year as the university’s interim chancellor, provost of North Carolina Central University (NCCU) in Durham from 1990 to 1995, and vice chancellor for academic affairs and professor of economics at NCCU from 1986 to 1995. He also has served on the faculties of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Florida State University. An engaged member of his community, Burnim has served on several boards and councils, including the Wachovia Bank Advisory Board for Elizabeth City, Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust, The Elizabeth City Salvation Army, and The Elizabeth City Rotary Club. He also is on the Board of Directors of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, having served as its chairman from 2003 to 2005. Burnim holds a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and an M.A. and B.A. in economics, both from North Texas State University. He and his wife LaVera have an adult daughter and son. Portions of this announcement were taken from a press release that originated in the University System of Maryland’s Office of Communications on June 23, 2006.