Congratulations to James \u201cJay\u201d Burks \u201889 on being awarded the Carl F. Kohrt Distinguished Alumni Award over homecoming weekend at the Alumni Awards Luncheon.<\/p>\n
The Distinguished Alumni Award is named in honor of Carl Kohrt \u201965, in appreciation for his selfless service to Furman University. Kohrt served as Interim President from 2013-14 and is a longstanding member of Furman\u2019s Board of Trustees, acting as chair from 2006-08. It is presented to a graduate in recognition of significant professional or personal accomplishments and in gratitude for continued loyalty to Furman University.<\/p>\n
Brigadier General James \u201cJay\u201d Burks retired from the U.S. Air Force in 2018 and is the first Furman graduate promoted to general officer rank in the Air Force. His military career culminated as director of manpower, personnel, and resources and Medical Service Corps chief, where he advised the Air Force surgeon general on healthcare and readiness strategy, a $6.2 billion annual budget supporting 75 Air Force medical facilities, and career field management for 1,800 officers. For more than 26 years, Burks served in command and staff assignments, was an Air Force Intern and RAND Corporation fellow, and deployed to Afghanistan.<\/p>\n
He earned a B.A. in business administration from Furman (1989), an M.B.A. from the University of South Carolina (1991), and an M.A. in organizational management from George Washington University (1999). He is board certified as a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, and served on the College\u2019s local boards, national committees, Council of Regents, and Board of Governors. He has also served on local and national boards of civic and healthcare organizations.<\/p>\n
Burks married his Furman sweetheart, Valarie \u201989 (Scheetz). As an Air Force spouse, Valarie led and served on base and community committees and boards at every assignment. Together, the Burks are proud \u201cpet parents\u201d to two beagles, Mr. Cody and Miss Jersey. They enthusiastically support charitable work for animals, education, health, veterans and military families. For Furman, they proudly established the Brigadier General (USAF-ret) James J. and Mrs. Valarie S. Burks endowed scholarship fund.<\/p>\n