2008 Woodie Awards
BSU President transcends racial and class boundaries
Justin Lohr '08
Issue date: 2/21/07 Section: Features
- Page 1 of 3 next >
Responsibility is not something that James Burks, '08, gradually developed over the course of growing up; rather, it is something that was forced upon him by circumstance.
At the age of ten, Burks was forced to take a dominant role in his home when his mother was diagnosed with amyloidosis, a rare cancer that left her unable to lead the household and dictated that Burks, the oldest of two, take her place.
Although his mother survived and the cancer is now in its ninth year of remission, Burks has not forgotten the profound experience of leading the household in the wake of his mother's debilitating condition.
"It forced me to accept responsibility quicker," he explained. "You become more serious, you get a new perspective. You grow up a little bit faster."
"Grown up" is perhaps the best way to describe Burks, a humble and soft-spoken psychology major who, despite his reserved nature, is now the President of the Black Student Union in addition to being a member of a number of other student and service organizations.
Deeply affected by his childhood experiences and the maturity that they thrust upon him at an early age, he is ever cautious to avoid the limelight and to focus his life on helping others.
"I'm shy," he said as an explanation for the "behind the scenes" approach that he takes to much of his work on campus. "I like to see things happen on campus that help minority students."
Born and raised in Mt. Airy, Burks attended an all-black high school, making his decision to attend a school with as small a minority population as St. Joe's something of a surprise, especially considering that most of his friends chose to go to predominantly black universities while he chose a predominantly white one instead.
One reason that he cited for choosing St. Joe's over other schools is the school's intimate community that enables students and organizations to interact and prevents alienation of students and organizations from the main student body.
At the age of ten, Burks was forced to take a dominant role in his home when his mother was diagnosed with amyloidosis, a rare cancer that left her unable to lead the household and dictated that Burks, the oldest of two, take her place.
Although his mother survived and the cancer is now in its ninth year of remission, Burks has not forgotten the profound experience of leading the household in the wake of his mother's debilitating condition.
"It forced me to accept responsibility quicker," he explained. "You become more serious, you get a new perspective. You grow up a little bit faster."
"Grown up" is perhaps the best way to describe Burks, a humble and soft-spoken psychology major who, despite his reserved nature, is now the President of the Black Student Union in addition to being a member of a number of other student and service organizations.
Deeply affected by his childhood experiences and the maturity that they thrust upon him at an early age, he is ever cautious to avoid the limelight and to focus his life on helping others.
"I'm shy," he said as an explanation for the "behind the scenes" approach that he takes to much of his work on campus. "I like to see things happen on campus that help minority students."
Born and raised in Mt. Airy, Burks attended an all-black high school, making his decision to attend a school with as small a minority population as St. Joe's something of a surprise, especially considering that most of his friends chose to go to predominantly black universities while he chose a predominantly white one instead.
One reason that he cited for choosing St. Joe's over other schools is the school's intimate community that enables students and organizations to interact and prevents alienation of students and organizations from the main student body.
Be the first to comment on this story