From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (main entry)

Burse, Raymond M.

(born: 1951) 

Raymond Malcolm Burse was born in Hopkinsville, KY, the youngest of the 12 children of Joe and Lena Belle Burse. He was captain of his high school track and football teams, declining college football scholarships to attend Centre College, where he majored in chemistry and math, graduating in 1973.

While at Centre, Burse was named most outstanding individual in track at two invitational meets and was named to the All-College Athletic Conference Football Team in 1972. He also earned a Rhodes Scholarship to attend the University of Oxford, where he majored in organic chemistry, graduating in 1975.

While at Oxford, he became the first African American to earn three "Blues," one in rugby.  Burse also participated in basketball, track, and crew. He returned to the U.S. to attend Harvard Law School, graduating in 1978.

Burse has had many recognitions and awards. He served as president of Kentucky State University, 1982-1989. He was vice president and general counsel at GE Consumer and Industrial. In 2014, Burse returned to Kentucky State University to serve as interim president, served as president from 2014-2016. 

For more see Who's Who Among African Americans, 1985-2006; M. Starks, "Raymond & Kim Burse," Who's Who in Black Louisville, 3rd ed. p. 73. Stuart, Reginald, "Raymond Burse Abruptly Quits as Kentucky State University President," Diverse Issues in Eductation website, May23, 2016; Raymond M. Burse at the University of Louisville Board of Trustees website; and "Ex-university president calls out McConnell on race issues," WHAS11 website, Aug. 29, 2020.

See also the Office of the President Records at  Blazer Library, Kentucky State University.

Kentucky County & Region

Read about Christian County, Kentucky in Wikipedia.

Kentucky Place (Town or City)

Read about Hopkinsville, Kentucky in Wikipedia.

Item Relations

Cited in this Entry

NKAA Source: Who's who among African Americans
NKAA Source: Who's who in black Louisville (serial)

Related Entries Citing this Entry

NKAA Entry: Kentucky State University Presidents, 1886-present

Cite This NKAA Entry:

“Burse, Raymond M.,” Notable Kentucky African Americans Database, accessed July 26, 2024, https://nkaa.uky.edu/nkaa/index.php/items/show/1580.

Last modified: 2024-07-10 15:15:33