Gamma Pi's Luther Burse Honored With Living Tribute at Fort Valley State

View of the sprawling campus at Fort Valley State University

Gamma Pi Chapter is one of the most diverse chapters in all of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. It enjoys the makeup of Brothers from different generations and from so many walks of professional life, from leaders in medicine, law and business to military veterans, government executives, nonprofit chiefs and of course, education. In fact, the chapter is home to at least two college presidents. One of those pioneers in education, Brother Luther Burse, Sr., PhD., got the tribute of a lifetime recently for his service and commitment to higher education when Fort Valley State University in Georgia unveiled a fountain in his honor.

Bro. Dr, Burse visits fountain named in his honor

Bro. Dr. Burse served as the fifth president at Fort Valley from 1983-88. The new edifice on the campus was unveiled on May 1. It is a continuously flowing water fountain, beautifully engraved with his name and an excerpt from one of his many inspiring addresses. The fountain is erected on Fort Valley’s main campus. Students, alumni, friends and supporters, along with faculty and staff, have been invited by the University to visit the “Future Fountain” that now stands forever in Bro. Dr. Burse’s honor. Bro. Prior to coming to Fort Valley, Bro. Dr. Burse served as interim president at Cheyney University in Pennsylvania.

As many in central Georgia know, Fort Valley is affectionately called “The Fountain City”, hence the “fountain” on campus and of course, the annual Fountain City Classic football “war” between Fort Valley State and nearby Albany State.

Bro. Dr. Burse is one of a handful of 60-year Omega Psi Phi members in the Gamma Pi Chapter, and among just a few in the entire five-state Second District, which encompasses Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. He has received numerous awards for his service to the Fraternity (including the Second District Founders Award) and for his contributions to higher education and especially in the support of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Another view of the fountain

In Gamma Pi, Brother Burse is known for his smooth demeanor and his sage advice about Omega, education and about life in general, and for neither looking nor acting his age, as he is in his early 80s. With pride, among the Brothers, he always lets it be known loudly that he crossed The Burning Sands at “Psi Psi” Chapter in the Bluegrass State in 1955, before many Gamma Pi members were even born. He and his late wife and life partner. Dr. Mamie Burse (July 2017), were consistent fixtures at their respective alma maters attending cultural, fundraising and athletic events and even serving in leadership capacities.

Bro. Mickey Burnim, Ph.D., who retired last year as Bowie State University’s president after 10 years, is the other former college president who is a member of Gamma Pi Chapter. Another former Gamma Pi member became president of a college in Indiana after relocating from the area many years ago.

What a great tribute! Send Bro. Burse congratulations via email: lutherburse@comcast.net