The Lens
9
The Journey of Doctor Michael Burns
Professor Michael Burns is more than just a professor and advisor at Lasell College. He’s travelled internationally to cultivate his career and at his age thirty, he is one of Lasell’s youngest faculty members. His diverse experiences makes him a valuable asset to the Lasell community.
Burns originally hails from Steubenville, Ohio. Steubenville is “a very blue collar small town where people work hard to earn their money in a steel mill.” Burns says, “Growing up there… gives you a good work ethic and…respect for money.” Burns appreciates the sense of community that his town granted him growing up. “I’m just as close with my neighbors as I am with my family. Community is a very important element of that culture I have taken with me.” Unfortunately Steubenville has a poor economy. “My town is the stereotypical dying American small town,” Burns says. Leaving town to get an education was an easy choice for Burns.
After receiving his undergraduate degree Burn’s was acquainted with many opportunities. “I was offered a position to work at the 2006 winter Olympics,” Burns says. “I [also] decided to apply to the top masters programs in the country...I was accepted and decided to go.” Burn’s ambition and thirst for something different encouraged his interests to study in Texas, North Dakota, and even Wales when he studied abroad.
“It was one of the best experiences of my life…It gave me the confidence that I could go [anywhere] easily.” Burns claims that his experience abroad reassured him that he could take on the Olympics. Burns has covered the games for The Today Show in 2006, 2008, and 2012. During these trips, he has travelled with Michael Phelps, spoken with President George Bush, and even hosted Mitt Romney. Burns can credit these accomplishments to his passion and willingness to take risks.
Burn’s claims that his biggest accomplishment is getting his PhD. “It was something I’d never dreamt I’d do,” Burns said. Studying communications has allowed Burns to sample everything he wanted in life. “I enjoyed… combining my interests in travel, media, culture, and human behavior,” says Burns. His support system enabled him to pursue all of his endeavors. “Nobody truly does anything on their own,” Burns says. “During your life journey, there [are] people that have created opportunities for you and those people deserve to be a part of [your] successes.”
Liz Haela
Above: Top: Professor Michael Burns poses while covering the 2008 Olympics in Beijing; Bottom: Professor Burns poses with a studetn while on set with The Today Show; Bottom Left: The Today Show Logo.