Meet Our Faculty...
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In 1991, Bill Burns decided to trade in his retail flower shop and Chamber of Commerce/economic development director position in small-town Iowa to go back to school and become a psychologist. He finished a degree in sociology at the University of Minnesota-Morris , a master’s in counseling at Truman State University , and his Ph.D. in counseling psychology at Iowa State University . While he was studying for his new career, Burns started running to get in shape and relieve stress. In 2000, Burns brought his love of running and his interest in counseling to St. Lawrence. He has ensured that the department is meeting the psychological and emotional needs of students on campus; he also focuses on the physical well-being of the community as the organizer of a marathon training group. In spring 2004, his group hosted the Canton-St. Lawrence University Marathon. “I think the marathon can give the communities something to work together on, something to draw attention to the area and to help build a wellness-oriented lifestyle for area residents,” he says. Each fall, Burns teaches a course called The Art of Living, which, he explains, “Teaches lessons about the world, how to adapt to inevitable shortcomings and failures in life, and how to define and plan for a good and/or successful life.” As the Wellness Initiative coordinator, Burns provides school funds and grants to promote student-sponsored alcohol-free events on campus. |
Bill Burns