The University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music will establish the Paul J. Burgett Distinguished Professorship as a result of a recent gift from two anonymous university alumni.
Paul J. BurgettThe endowed fund not only honors the legacy of alumnus Paul Burgett, it recognizes his lifelong commitment to music and education and his 54 years serving at the university. Eastman leaders will announce the recipient of the professorship this fall, officials said.
“Music and education have powerful abilities to unite, connect and inspire us all,” the donors said in a news release. “Paul had those gifts, too, and he exemplified why the University of Rochester and Eastman are so incredible together. We continue to be amazed by how the combination of both makes the undergraduate experience distinct and special. It is our honor to name Eastman’s first-ever distinguished professorship after Paul.”
Burgett graduated from the Eastman School of Music in 1968, and returned for his master’s degree and PhD a few years later. His time at the university included roles as student body president at Eastman, faculty member in the music department, dean of students, advisor to four university presidents, university vice president and general secretary to the University of Rochester Board of Trustees, the university said.
He died in 2018 at the age of 72.
