Known as a kind individual by his colleagues, Dr. Jeffery Burroughs is retiring from teaching after 35 years, 22 of which were spent at BYU–Hawaii. He is a Psychology professor and the former dean of the College of Math and Sciences.
Burroughs said he and his family are moving to Tacoma, Wash., which is where he and his wife spent their teenage years. “It’s time to retire. I have other things to do that I’m interested in. I’ve had a lot of joy working with students and my colleagues, and BYUH is a wonderful place to work.”
He said he will still teach Introduction to Psychology as an online class. “I look forward to having a continuous relationship with students through cyberspace. I’m excited.”
Phillip McArthur, dean of the College of Language, Culture and Arts, said a few words to begin Burrough’s retirement party. “Jeff Burroughs in one of the most engaging yet unassuming minds on this campus. Conversations with him will absorb you. When he talks to you, he is fully invested and he makes you seem as interesting as his is. … He knows and relishes good food—eating for Jeff is both a palatal experience and a litmus test for sociability and personality.”
McArthur said Burroughs was known as the “salad-bowl psychologist” and would link a person’s food preferences to his or her personality.
McArthur continued, “He is not shy about his faith, and he feels deeply the sorrows and pains of others. He celebrates the humble and least recognized. ... Rarely will you find a more modest and unpretentious intellectual.”
After his prepared words were done, McArthur said, “What I appreciate most in our friendship is—it sounds clichéd—but Jeff is kind.”
Retired Biology Professor Randy Day once shared an office with Burroughs, and said, “I worked with Jeff for many, many, many years, and he’s one of the most open, kind individuals that I know. It’s been a real pleasure working with him.”
Psychology instructor Brian Kinghorn was both a student and colleague of Burroughs. Kinghorn said, “I came to BYUH with a minor in psychology, and it’s because of Dr. Burroughs I changed my major to psychology. He was the final influence that tipped the scales. As soon as I got my Ph.D., Dr. Burroughs called and invited me to apply for this temp position.”
Kinghorn has held that temporary position teaching psychology for two years. Kinghorn said an example of the kindness of Burroughs that others have commented on is: “Whenever he sees you, he asks how you are, but he really cares about how you are doing. He takes the time to listen even though he is very busy. He’s been very approachable as a teacher and a colleague. I have a lot to thank him for.”
Communications Professor Chiung Hwang Chen said, “He’s the coolest. He is a very good leader.” She explained how Burroughs was the dean over the College Arts and Sciences when she first came to teach at BYUH, and when the department split, he remained dean over one part of the college.
Burroughs didn’t limit his involvement to psychology or the sciences. “Jeff did much work early on to ensure we had the canoe, the Iosepa, with us,” said Professor Kali Fermantez as he gave a gift of a miniature canoe and a ceremonial kava bowl to Burroughs on behalf of the Pacific Studies Institute.
At the end of McArthur’s remarks and Fermantez’s gift, Burroughs said, “Thank you for coming. Thank you if you brought food and intend to eat it,” earning a hearty laugh from the assembled friends and colleagues.
Burroughs said he got his first teaching job in 1980 at Juniata College in Pennsylvania, and then spent nine years at Clemson University in South Carolina before coming to BYUH to work and teach for 22 years.