Gerald ‘Bummy’ Burstein establishes endowed chair in leadership

By Mike Kaika

Renowned alumnus Dr. Gerald “Bummy” Burstein has made a major gift commitment to Gallaudet University’s Capital Campaign. With this gift, Gallaudet will establish “The Bummy Chair: Gerald ‘Bummy’ Burstein ‘50, Endowed Chair in Leadership.”

Burstein’s generous commitment to Gallaudet includes both current and planned gifts. Scholars will be appointed to the Bummy Chair through a competition for a term of two or three years. During their appointment, they will do a project on leadership and will present at least one lecture a semester at Gallaudet. Projects might include, for example, studies on deaf leadership, the development of deaf leadership training programs, or preparation of leadership materials.

Burstein is a prominent and respected leader of the Gallaudet community, the American deaf community, and the international deaf community. He has demonstrated personal and professional leadership through his studies, writings, teaching, and especially parliamentary procedure practices.

In 1996, DawnSignPress published a book, Bummy’s Basic Parliamentary Guide. Burstein’s first booklet on this subject was printed by the Gallaudet University Alumni Association during the mid-1980’s and more than 10,000 copies were distributed. Recently, DawnSignPress released a videotape, “Bummy’s Basic Parliamentary Workshop,” which provides a simple method for learning essential techniques to conduct efficient meetings.

Currently a supervisor of Media Technology Services at the California School for the Deaf, Riverside, Burstein has been a teacher since he graduated from Gallaudet. He taught at the Minnesota School for the Deaf for 15 years and has been at CSDR now for 34 years. “In all the years I have been teaching, I have prepared many students for Gallaudet,” said Burstein. “Being in the education milieu is probably the most rewarding profession you can find, especially when your students become leaders in their own right.”

Burstein has served in a number of organizations in various capacities. One of his most cherished was when he was elected president of the GUAA for three terms—from 1982 to 1992. He then served as immediate past president until 1998 when GUAA members voted Burstein for the presidency again.

Since Burstein is one of the most prominent leaders in his field, he wanted to do something to help the future leaders of the world. “Like many of us, Gallaudet provided me with opportunity, education, and self-esteem,” said Burstein. ‘Without Gallaudet, I doubt very much if I would be where I am today. I want to offer others the chance I had. One of the best ways to do this is to establish a Chair for the study and practice of leadership.”

Burstein’s generous gift to Gallaudet includes a bequest through his estate. Once the endowment reaches the $1 million level, the Bummy Chair will be filled. Like the Bernard Bragg Chair, it may take several years before the endowment is reached, but friends and associates of Burstein are welcomed and encouraged to make contributions to the Bummy Fund.