Keystone Today

Father Doug Burns, OSFS, describes it as a deer-in-the-headlights moment. 

The University’s 53rd Commencement ceremony was nearing its end at the PPL Center in May. Brother Dan Wisniewski, OSFS, provost, was announcing this year’s Provost’s Faculty Excellence Award for excellence in teaching when Fr. Burns heard his name called. 

“I’m sure this sounds cheesy and the sort of thing you’re supposed to say, but I truly mean it: I was stunned,” says Fr. Burns, assistant professor and chair of the department of sport and exercise physiology. “I was sitting there going through in my head the many possible great recipients of the award. I’m blessed to serve with a wonderful faculty, so many of whom deserve to be recognized in this way. I’m deeply grateful to the administration, our dedicated faculty, and all the members of the DeSales family who make it a joy to serve our students every day.”

The longtime member of the DeSales community is known around campus for his work pioneering sport and exercise physiology, which has become a prominent major at the University. His work also extends beyond the classroom to the Ryan Leadership Institute, a unique student program that fosters personal growth and leadership training in the context of Salesian spirituality.

The Provost’s Faculty Excellence Award is given each year in recognition of a faculty member’s work to aid in the fulfillment of the University’s mission. Bro. Wisniewski was thrilled to honor Fr. Burns with the award. 

“It was natural to recognize Fr. Burns as an excellent teacher, given his more than two decades of instructing and mentoring DeSales students who major in biology, sport and exercise physiology, and medical studies, among other disciplines,” he says.  

Original source can be found here.