An anonymous gift will establish a professorship at the Eastman School of Music honoring the legacy of Paul Burgett, who died last year.
Burgett was a vice president of the University of Rochester, and was also a graduate of the Eastman School of Music.
A recent gift from two University of Rochester alumni establishes the Paul J. Burgett Distinguished Professorship at the Eastman School of Music.
It will also recognize his lifelong commitment to music and education and a university career that spanned 54 years, including 20 at Eastman.
Officials note that endowed professorships help the school attract world-class faculty. Eastman will announce the inaugural recipient of the professorship early this fall.
“Paul Burgett changed people’s lives,” said University of Rochester President Richard Feldman. “He did that through his energy and enthusiasm, his love for education and the University, and his deeply compassionate nature. His genuine, heartfelt, and gracious interest in the success of our students, faculty, staff members, and administrators drove every decision he made. Paul would be honored and humbled by this gift, and the generosity that made it possible.”
“As a proud alumnus, Paul was indefatigable in his support of Eastman, as well as the University as a whole,” says Jamal Rossi, the Dean of the Eastman School of Music. “This gift marks his undeniable impact and provides support that will forever serve our faculty and benefit the students they teach.”
