With Dr. David Burks

Others in series

  • Monday 7:30 AMWhat a Man’s Life Should Encompass. Psalm 112

  • Wednesday 7:30 AMGod is Our Strength. Psalm 46

Dr. David B. Burks has served Harding for more than 50 years, including 27 and one-half years as president from 1987-2013 and 2020-22. He is currently president emeritus. A 1965 alumnus, Burks served as student association president in Dr. Benson’s last year of presidency. He worked as a CPA for Exxon before returning to Harding in 1967 to teach business and direct the placement office. He also served as dean of the School of Business and director of the American Studies Program before becoming president in 1987. 

Burks is the author of three books, The Christian Alternative for Business, Strategic Management Simulation and Camaraderie. He also is general editor of Against the Grain. He received the University’s Distinguished Teacher Award in 1975 and 1986. He and his late wife, Leah, received the Distinguished Alumni Award in 1998.

Burks serves as an elder at College Church of Christ. He is on the board of directors for First Security Bank and also has served on the board of trustees for the North Central Association of Colleges and Universities, the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, and the Higher Learning Commission, which he chaired from 2001-02.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting and business from Harding, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas in Austin and a doctorate in higher education administration from Florida State University. He also is a certified public accountant. 

He has two sons, Bryan and Stephen, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.