Jackson College is pleased to announce the 2017 recipient of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Medal of Service Award will be Robert L. Burton Sr., a retired educator for Jackson Public Schools who has spent a lifetime helping young people and serving his community.
Burton is a native of Holly Springs, Miss., who moved to Jackson at age 15 and has positively impacted generations of Jackson’s students and parents with a career that spans parts of six decades. A graduate of Jackson High School, Jackson Community College and Spring Arbor University, Burton was a standout prep and college athlete in basketball and track. He began his career working with the Jackson Recreation Department as director of the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center and teaching in the alternative school, where he later served as a junior high principal. Burton served as a teacher and administrator at several schools in the district, including Frost, Northeast and Cascades. He was named Educator of the Year in 1982 and JPS Outstanding Administrator in 2001. Also in 2001, Burton was one of four teachers chosen to take part in the National People to People Student Ambassador Program on a trip to Australia. In 2003, he received recognition as a Trailblazer from Spring Arbor University for his career. He retired from JPS in 2004, and still impacts young people and the community to this day. He serves on the board of directors for the Jackson YMCA, and in 2016 was recognized by the Southside Reunion committee for his work. He has been an active supporter of Jackson College and the Men of Merit student group.
Working with young people, from junior high and high school to the elementary students of Burtons later years, has been greatly rewarding. “Today, when I look around, some days I see students I may have had way back who are grandparents now. I see some who were elementary kids who have now graduated from college and are doing good. It’s just a delight to see them,” he said.
“Jackson College is very fortunate to have someone of Mr. Burton’s caliber to be the 2017 Martin Luther King Medal of Service winner,” said Lee Hampton, director of multicultural affairs. “He epitomizes all that the award is about. His dedication to youth, his dedication to the educational community, and his dedication to building young people of strong character is second to none. During his time working as director of the Martin Luther King Center as well as an educator, he’s touched thousands of young lives in the Jackson community. For many of us – of whom I am one – we are thankful and grateful for the opportunity to show our appreciation for his service at the Martin Luther King Dinner.”
When Burton learned of the award, he was humbled and thankful. “It’s not something to be taken lightly, that someone thought enough of you to do this,” he said.
Burton has been married to wife, Lorean, for 45 years. They have five sons: Robert Jr., Mark, Jacque Kofi, Ishmael and Eugene.
The award will be presented at the 2017 King Celebration at Jackson College, to be held at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017. Tickets for the celebration will be $25 adults, $20 for students and senior citizens. Please contact the Potter Center Box Office for tickets at 517.796.8600.