Provost of Notre Dame to discuss role of flagship universities

LAWRENCE – The provost of the nation’s flagship Catholic university will visit Kansas’ flagship university to discuss the role of such institutions in American society. Thomas Burish, provost of the University of Notre Dame, has been invited to give a talk as part of events recognizing him with a distinguished alumni award from the University of Kansas.

The lecture, “Institutional Grit: The Critical Role of Flagship Universities in American Society,” is set for 7 p.m. Thursday, March 6, at the ballroom in the Kansas Union.

The Clinical Psychology Program in the Department of Psychology selected Burish to receive its inaugural 1949 Award for distinguished alumni. The award honors the year the program was first accredited. Burish received master's and doctoral degrees in psychology and clinical psychology from KU in 1975 and 1976. He received his bachelor’s degree from Notre Dame in 1972.

“Thomas Burish is a tremendous example of the value of a liberal arts and sciences education. He not only demonstrates a potential career path for our graduates, but he also advocates for the importance of higher education in our society,” said Danny Anderson, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. “I’m pleased we are honoring him and will learn more from his experiences.”

Burish has held leadership posts at universities for more than two decades. He was elected provost of Notre Dame in 2005. He is the fourth person to hold the office since it was established in 1970. Previously, he served as president of Washington and Lee University for three years before his appointment at Notre Dame and was Vanderbilt University's longest-serving provost from 1993 to 2002.

Burish has been honored previously by KU, receiving a Distinguished Alumni Award from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in 2006-’07.

The Department of Psychology is in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, which encourages learning without boundaries in its more than 50 departments, programs and centers. Through innovative research and teaching, the College emphasizes interdisciplinary education, global awareness and experiential learning. The College is KU's broadest, most diverse academic unit.