Professor Robert A. Burns Retires after 45 Years at the University of Arizona
By Genevieve Higgins, UA Religious Studies Major
With graduation upon us, the big question on most students minds is, what’s next? It was no different more than 40 years ago when Dr. Robert (Bob) Burns, professor in the Religious Studies Program, was planning what to do after graduation.
Surprisingly, academia was not the initial route he had anticipated. At the end of his senior year of college, Dr. Burns was faced with multiple opportunities including two different law schools and a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox. Burns weighed these options, and instead decided to take the path that no one, including himself, would have expected, and became a Dominican priest. “It’s just one of those things. You know what you’re meant to do, you always know. And if it didn’t work out, well, I could always be a rich lawyer instead,” he chuckles as he recalls his journey from baseball star, to Catholic Priest, to beloved Professor.
With a rewarding career as a professor at the University of Arizona – and 50 years as a Catholic priest – the course of Burns’ professional career comes to a close with his retirement at the end of the semester. “I’ve been here for decades!” he exclaimed in response to how he felt about ending his career as a professor. From creating and teaching some of the very first Religious Studies courses at the University of Arizona in the 70s, to being honored with a Five Star Faculty Award in the 80s, all the way through this academic year, Dr. Burns has had a constant and meaningful impact on students and faculty alike. In addition to teaching thousands of students and developing the Religious Studies Program at the University of Arizona, he has published five books and has been extensively involved in community outreach in the region.
Throughout the years, his greatest joy was his students. Burns was always overjoyed to have students pursue degrees in Religious Studies and to see them grow over the course of their academic careers. “Nothing is better than having a student surprise you with their dedication, especially when the ones who you don’t expect to care end up working harder than anyone else.” Finding delight in the success of others is only a small example of Dr. Burns’ kindness and compassion, which has driven his success over the years. He encouraged students to learn about new traditions and explore a wide range of religious expressions, often for the first time. When asked why he has taught for so long, Burns says he believed in the importance of understanding diverse religions – the focus of one of his largest courses, Comparative Religions, which he taught almost every semester to classes of 100-300 students of diverse backgrounds. What does he hope students will take away from his courses? “I’m hoping I can help them find what they’re looking for.”
Burns recalls an encounter with a student in the Comparative Religions course, and is a prime exemplification of his unbiased teaching style. The student had turned in his final assignment and, after standing there for a half moment longer, suddenly asked Burns if he had a religious preference. He calmly replied, “Yeah, a big one. I’m a Catholic priest!” The student’s jaw dropped and he blurted out “No S**t!” in the middle of the lecture hall.
Throughout the years he has not only been a valued professor but also a mentor, friend, a driving force at the Newman Center and a role model for countless students and faculty members. Bob Burns’ impact on the U of A, and the countless students whose lives he’s touched, is immeasurable and will have a lasting impact on future generations.
To make a tribute in honor of Bob Burns’ retirement, donations can be made to the Robert A. Burns Fund at religion.arizona.edu/give.