Dr. Christopher Burkett graduated from Ashland University in 1996 when it was known as Ashland College. Graduating with a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts and History, Burkett went on to get his masters and Ph.D. in Politics from the University of Dallas.
In 2005, Burkett joined AU as an Associate Professor of Political Science, where he teaches courses such as Understanding Politics, American Founding and The Politics of American Westerns.
The latter being his favorite one to teach due to the “big political questions that have always been important throughout history but are even more important today,” he remarked.
In 2015, Burkett took over as Director of the Ashbrook Scholar program. He has published a few chapters such as “Remaking the World: Progressivism and American Foreign Policy” (Heritage Foundation 2013) and “James Madison and the Great Convention” (in A Blackwell Companion to James Madison and Monroe 2012).
However, writing is not what drives Burkett, it is his students.
“I love being in the class when in those particular moments you can see on the student’s face of them really thinking it through, they are trying to get it, and all of a sudden, a sort of light bulb moment. Those are the moments that really bring me the most sort of joy and happiness,” he remarked.
Dr. Cara Rogers, colleague of Burkett, states that “Dr. Burkett cares about students as individuals not just students. He genuinely wants to help them become better human beings.”
His compassion for his students and love of teaching are some of the key traits that helped Burkett to be named Outstanding Male Faculty Member of the Year in 2008 and the 2011 recipient of the Edward and Louaine Taylor Excellence in Teaching Award at AU.
Dr. Jason Stevens, colleague and former student of Burkett, enjoys watching him teach because “he knows his subject, loves his subject and loves his students.”
To his students he is known for being warm-hearted, intelligent and humble according to current senior Bria Meisse.
“Class with Burkett has always been one of my favorites. He creates such a warm environment that truly encourages students to participate in challenging discussions. He is so known for this that there is a running nickname for him, ‘Papa Burkett,’ because he is like the grandpa of the program.”
Burkett’s love for his students and subject is what makes him really stand out as a professor.
“Everyone knows him, and everyone loves him. He’s compassionate, wise and most importantly, humble. If he is reading this right now, he is probably making some sarcastic comment about whether he has these virtuous qualities. That’s just the kind of person he is,” Meisse concluded.