Southwestern Magazine | Fall 2019

and director of national fellowships and scholarships, says that Burger “was keenly aware of who our students are, what they wanted and needed, and what happened in our classrooms.” From raising more than $100 million for students demonstrating finan- cial need to creating the tradition of President’s Table dinners and simply being present at academic, social, athletic, and theater events, Burger “brought new impetus for the student-centered approach to teaching and learning,” Gaines adds. Futumura agrees: “He used his position to uplift students, publicly recog- nize their achievements, and make them feel proud.” Steinle can testify to the importance of Burger’s role as both a professor and a president. He says that Burger “has been a major force in [his] formative education,” even prior to his matriculation at Southwestern. Long before he met the presi- dent in person, Steinle learned algebra, geometry, and other math subjects through several video series Burger h a d c r e a t e d for Thinkwell, a company that produces online c o u r s e s f o r s u p p l eme n t a l instruction and homeschooling. During his college search process, S t e i n l e w a s inspired to apply to Southwestern after attending one of Burger’s talks at an SU alumni event in San Antonio. Steinle fondly remembers how Burger made an effort to get to know him and his peers when Steinle was a first-year student. He enrolled in the president’s Effective Thinking through Creative Puzzle-Solving course, which he says is “unique; I haven’t experienced anything quite like it since. In and out of the classroom, Dr. Burger empha- sized that the answer to a question was not nearly as interesting as the steps it took to get there.” Steinle says that he learned mindfulness techniques that he still practices four years later, and he attributes his reignited interest in puzzles and problem- solving to the class. “[It] put me back into the mindset I had growing up: a curiosity about the world and a desire to find patterns,” he remarks. Steinle went on to intern for Burger the following two fall semesters, serving as a teaching assistant (TA) and grader. Through his experiences as both student and TA, Steinle remarks, “I noticed his passion for education and his drive to make a differ- ence in the lives of his students…. From day one, he has been a part of the Southwestern Experience for many students. When I talk to friends at other universities, they’ve always been surprised at how involved our president is with campus life. I wouldn’t have it any other way. While I’m sad to see him go, I’m grateful for all the positive growth and change he started.” Connectingwith alumni Engaging Southwestern alumni as collaborators in shaping the University’s future has also been a hallmark of Burger’s presi- dency. Cile Spelce Elley ’91, now chief marketing officer at iCore- Connect and a principal at Electro-Fish Media, LLC, admits that she “was not an actively involved alumna,” but Burger’s leadership, which she says “rejects complacency and inspires imagination,” was “like a bat signal calling alumni to step up and be part of SU’s future.” Impressed by Burger’s progress during his first year on the job, Spelce Elley accepted an invitation to join her alma mater’s Board of Visitors. “It was obvious Ed understood the imperative of interdisciplinary learning, creative problem-solving, and respectful dialogue,” she shares. “He just brings an energy into every room, every conversa- tion. And that energy is 100% Southwestern! He is the rare kind of leader who is brilliant, engaging, authentic, and part Energizer Bunny…. He inspires me to look at Southwestern and ask ‘why?’ and ‘how?’ as we think about tomorrow.” Credited widely as a relationship builder, Burger exhibits curi- osity and a genuine interest in the lives of alumni at University events both on and off campus. Spelce Elley observes that he is always excited to partake in deep, fascinating conversations about education, life, or the arts with graduates and other friends of Southwestern. “Ed is the reason I chose to get involved at SU as an alumna. The future of SU is the reason I will stay involved. There is no place like this University—anywhere.” As many will attest, Burger’s commitment to alumni also extends to their families. Susan Slagle Rogers ’83 recalls meeting Burger when her family returned to Texas for spring break in 2016. Her son was a high-school sophomore at the time and asked if they could visit Southwestern during their trip. They scheduled a tour, and afterward, they were invited to meet Burger " President Burger is a dynamic leader with a charismatic personality, " says Vice President for Student Life Jaime Woody. " He believes in the SU product and was able to articulate any and all pieces of the Southwestern Experience . He immersed himself in many, many areas of the campus, so his knowledge base was deep and vast; he could speak to any aspect of the University with facts and breadth of knowledge. He inherited many challenges and worked diligently to right the ship and point us in a direction that yielded terrific growth, awareness, and national visibility. " 22 SOUTHWESTERN