Mr. Frank G. Burnett was born December 16, 1909 in Durham County, NC. He departed this life on October 8, 2000. Frank received his elementary and high school education in the Durham public school system. He received his undergraduate degree from West Virginia State College in 1932 and his graduate degree from North Carolina College (now North Carolina Central University-NCCU).

Frank Burnett devoted his entire life to the education of children. His first teaching job was with the Chatham County School System. Later, at Hillside High School, he taught chemistry from 1933 to 1939 and coached both football and basketball as part of his teaching duties. Frank went on to preside over football games all along the eastern coast, from Massachusetts to Florida and inland as far as Ohio and Kentucky. In 1939, he was appointed as Principal of East Durham Colored School (now Burton School which he helped name). He then transferred to Lyon Park School as Principal. In 1961, Frank was appointed Principal of W.G. Pearson School until his retirement in 1975. As an educator, he was able to see thousands of Durham children become wholesome and respected citizens who are making worthwhile contributions to the welfare of our community and nation.

With a genuine concern of helping more African American Durham residents with speech and hearing disorders, Frank G. Burnett became the guiding light to organizing the James E. Shepard Sertoma club in the summer of 1983. Frank was elected as the 1st president of the club and remained so for 2 years. While president, the JES club membership doubled in size and another new club was created. Within Sertoma International Frank served as District Governor over the State of North Carolina and went on to become the First Black person to serve on the International Board of Directors. The Board at that time served an entire roster of over 35,000 people throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. Frank was directly involved in the creation of over 9 more Sertoma clubs in the surrounding North Carolina towns.

Franks greatest achievement was marrying the former Beatrice Qualls because we all know that behind every great man is a great woman. Frank and Beatrice were married for 62 years. To this union two children were born, Andrea Burnett Myers and Catherine Burnett Mangum, spawning 6 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.

Besides the James E. Shepard Sertoma Club, Frank was involved with many other organizations. Frank was a lifetime, faithful member of St. Joseph’s AME Church. As a junior in college Frank successfully joined the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. He was a member of Doric Masonic Lodge #28, PHA, Durham Consistory #218, Durham Chapter 33rd Degree, and Zafa Temple #176 of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Majestic Shrine. Frank also served as Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Durham Parks and Recreation Department. In addition, he was named Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Merrick-Washington Braille Magazine for the Blind and President of the Durham Sports Club.

Being a member of the James E. Shepard Sertoma Club means one is willing to help others. The dedication to service has been a part of the club's spirit since Frank helped found it in 1983 and continues today. It is our hope that The Frank G. Burnett Scholarship Fund lives on forever at NCCU!

The first two sentences of the family poem on Frank’s obituary reads, “I cannot say and I will not say that he is dead, he is just away…”. It is our sincere hope that this scholarship continues the legacy of Frank’s devotion to educating our children!