The Paulette Burns Papers

A 1967 graduate of Monterey High School (Lubbock), she was awarded an Army-sponsored full scholarship in nursing that allowed her to attend her beloved Texas Christian University and the University of Maryland/Walter Reed. At TCU she also met and married the love of her life, Chuck Burns. Her academic achievements in nursing include a BSN from Maryland, an MSN from the University of Oklahoma, and a Ph.D. from Texas Woman's University. Paulette built a distinguished career in nursing education and administration. From 1977 through 2000, she held positions in programs at several universities, including director of the OU College of Nursing Graduate Program in Tulsa. She returned to TCU in 2001 as director of the Harris School of Nursing. In 2006, she was appointed the second dean of the new Harris College of Nursing and Health Sciences. During her career, Paulette was honored with many awards, including her selection in 2005 as a Robert Wood Johnson Executive Nurse Fellow. In all of her leadership roles, Paulette inspired faculty and students to develop common goals in service to others. Her passion in meeting these goals was integral to Harris becoming a center of excellence. Her efforts created new pathways for significantly increasing the number of programs and students. Paulette's diligence and vision continued even through her illness as she oversaw the construction of a new building, deemed affectionately "Paulette's Palace" by TCU's Provost, to meet the needs of all Harris programs. Paulette was special to all who had the privilege of knowing her.