David L. Burton

Contact David Burton by e-mail at: [email protected]

 

EDUCATION

·        Graduate of Ash Grove R-IV High School (1984). Valedictorian. GPA: 3.97.

 

·        Graduate of Drury University (1988). Bachelor of Arts degree, political science and communications. GPA: 3.97.

 

·        Attended University of Missouri School of Law (1988-89). Completed 32 hours.

 

·        Graduate of Drury University (2001). Master of Arts degree, communication. GPA: 3.8.

 

 

WORK EXPERIENCE

Civic Communication Specialist, Nov. 2001 to present, University of Missouri Outreach and Extension., 833 Boonville Ave. , Springfield, Mo. 65802. DUTIES: responsible for external communications, all media relations and civic communication workshops, teaching and training for Outreach and Extension in southwest Missouri.  There are three accomplishments with University Outreach and Extension that I think are indicators of the type of work I have done. First, I have moved the Southwest Region News Service into the 21^st Century (delivery by e-mail) and increased the content and use value of that news service from an average of $4,000 per month (in 2000) to a monthly average in excess of $100,000 (2003 figures). Second, I have had national exposure (print and radio) on several topics and issues impacting the journalism profession and am part of a regional group trying to develop continuing education and training opportunities for journalists. Most recently, I organized and conducted Missouri’s first online public election.

 

Public Relations Specialist, January 1996 to Nov. 2001, Associated Electric Cooperative Inc., 2814 S. Golden, Springfield, Mo. 65801; phone 885-9325 or 885-9252.  DUTIES: responsible for external communications (annual report, website, Power News newsletter) all media relations (media inquiries and media releases) corporate annual meeting and other special events (like power plant dedications) as well as special projects, publications and speeches for AECI’s top management.

 

Assistant Director of Development, February 1993 to January 1996, Southwest Missouri State University (The Alumni Center) 900 S. National, Springfield, Mo. 65804; phone 836-6740 or 836-4143.  DUTIES: responsible for directly all alumni events and fundraising efforts for the Greenwood Laboratory School at SMSU as well as special development projects for SMSU such as topic research, basketball trip coordination, special events for major contributors and complete coordination of the highly successful All-Sports Auction at SMSU.

 

Managing Editor, Summer 1989 to February 1993, Cross Country Times (Newspaper) P.O. Box 216, Willard, Mo. 65781; phone 742-2539 or 485-3541. (Joint editor for Cross Country Times, Ozark Headliner and Nixa News-Enterprise newspapers during March 1992). DUTIES: responsible for all of the news and sports writing, editing, newspaper photography, promotions and layout as well as office responsibilities while managing a staff of two.

 

Legal Clerk and Research, Summer 1988 and 1989, Harrison, Tucker, Geisler and Hyde (Attorneys at Law), 1121 S. Glenstone, Springfield, Mo. 65804; phone 831-4046. DUTIES: legal research, writing legal documents and depositions.

 

Construction, summer of 1987, Drury College, 900 N. Benton, Springfield, Missouri 65802; phone 865-8731. DUTIES: remodeled a college residence hall.

 

Field Work, summer of 1986 and 1985, Springfield City Utilities (Gas Department) Grand Street, Springfield, Missouri 65802; phone 831-8300. DUTIES: painted residential and commercial gas meters.

 

Waiter and Cook, summer 1984, Calico Kitchen Cafe, Ash Grove (Out of Business). DUTIES: cooked during noon hour and waited tables in the evening.

 

Lifeguard and Swim Instructor, Summer 1982 and 1983, Ash Grove City Pool, Ash Grove, Missouri 65604; phone 751-2333. DUTIES: served as lifeguard and gave swimming instructions to children.

 

 

PROFESSIONAL

AWARDS AND HONORS  

 

Professional accomplishments are usually identified as individual awards but I need to give credit to two others for the career honors I have received: co-workers and God. Both have helped me in the work I do and God has opened many doors for me that have enabled me to have success and to receive recognitions like these:

·        Nominated as one of the top "40 Under 40," professionals in Springfield, Mo., by the Springfield Business Journal..  

·        Named "Rookie of the Year," award given to top new employee in University Outreach and Extension (2003).  

·        Recipient of Hazel Brannon Smith Scholarship ($1,000) for journalism excellence from the International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors (1992).  

·       Recipient of "Excellence in Service" award from University Outreach and Extension for his role in communicating with the news media about issues related to disaster recovery following the May 2003 tornados that hit southwest Missouri. (2003)

·       Recipient of the "Teamwork Award" from University Outreach and Extension for his role on the "Southwest Region Emergency Response Team" which mobilized following the May 2003 tornados that hit southwest Missouri.

·        Earned certification as a Rural Electric Communicator (1997).

·        National Cooperative Communicators Association: 2^nd Place, brochures, 1997; 3^rd place, newsletter, 1998; 1^st place, special publication, 1999. (National competition)

·        Council of Rural Electric Communicators: 2^nd place, newsletter, 1997; 1^st place, brochure, 1998. (National competition)

·        Silver Quill from International Association of Business Communicators, business brochure, 1998. (National competition)

·        MSTA Media Award, 1993.

·        Willard R-2 Outstanding Service Award, 1992-93.

·        Missouri Press Association: 3rd place, weekly newspapers, "Best Feature Story" (1990).

·        Missouri Press Association: Honorable Mention, weekly newspapers, "Best Humorist Column" (1991).

·        Missouri Press Association: 3rd place, weekly newspapers, "Best News Content" (1991).

·        Named to Who's Who in Communications and Media: 1991, 1992, 1993, 1997, 1998 and 1999.

·        Named to Who's Who in the Midwest: 1992, 1996 and 1997.

·        Willard Chamber of Commerce "Businessman of the Year" (1991).

 

 

COMMUNITY  

I am active in several community organizations that have missions relevant to my profession. However, my community involvement revolves around my Christian faith and my membership at Second Baptist Church. Christians are called to serve the community and to share the name of Jesus and I try to do both whenever possible. My wife and I serve as care group leaders at our church, which means we minister to the needs of six other church families on a regular basis. I assist in the nursery on a quarterly basis and write a monthly newsletter for our church small group. Every Wednesday night I teach a group of three-year olds in Awanas and I also faithfully work in the community as part of various mission efforts. For example, over the last few years, I have helped paint the gym and bathrooms at Pleasant View Elementary, removed trees and brush from Pierce City after it was hit by a tornado, provided household goods and clothing for an adopted family in Nicaragua (every year since 2000), done clean up and maintenance work for the Pregnancy Care Center and Camp Barnabas and helped with entertainment, food and clean up efforts at the Bridges for Youth centers in Springfield. My professional community involvement includes (or has included):

·        Greene County Historical Sites Board (1997 to present), appointed by the Greene County Commission in 1997.

·        Chairman, Greene County Historical Sites Board (1999 and 2000)

·        Member of Willard Chamber of Commerce: 1990, 1991 and 1992.

·        Willard Chamber of Commerce Program Chairman, 1989, 1991 and 1992

·        Greene County Republican Committeeman, 2nd Boone (1986 to 1995)

·        Charter member, Ash Grove Historical Society (1989 to 1991)

·        Drury College Alumni Association Governing Board (1992 to 1995)

·        Member, Second Baptist Church, Springfield, Mo.

·        Springfield/Greene County Historical Society (1994 to present)

·        Civil War Roundtable of the Ozarks (1996 to present)

 

 

ORGANIZATIONS  

·        National Newspaper Association (1989 to 1993)         

·        Missouri Press Association (1989-to present)

·        Missouri Association of Newspaper Editors  (1990 to 1993)    

·        Ozarks Press Association (Board of Directors 1992), member 1989 to present

·        CASE (Council for the Advancement of Secondary Education) 1993 to 1995

·        National Society of Fund Raising Executives (1993 to 1996)

·        Public Relations of the Ozarks, (1996 to present)

·        Society of Professional Journalists, Southwest Missouri (Board of Directors 1991-92, 1997-98; Secretary 1992-93; Newsletter editor;1998-2000, vice-president, 2000; web master 2002 to present)

 

 

PUBLICATIONS

LIST AND HONORS

 

At Cross Country Times newspaper:

1.      Named one of the Top Three Weekly Newspaper Editors in the United States by the  International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors (1992)

2.      Missouri Press Association: 3rd place, Class I Weeklies, Best Feature Story (1990)

3.      Missouri Press Association: Honorable Mention, Weeklies, Best Humorist Column (1991)

4.      Missouri Press Association: 3rd place, Weeklies, Best News Content (1991)

5.      Recipient of Hazel Brannon Smith Award for writing excellence from the International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors (1992)

 

At Drury College newspaper:

1.      Associated Collegiate Press Association: #1 Rating, Two Stars, Drury Mirror (Fall 1987)

2.      Associated Collegiate Press Association: #1 Rating, Four Stars, Drury Mirror (Spring 1988)

3.      Scholastic Press Service: #1 Rating, Two Stars, Drury Mirror (1988)

4.      Nominated as Missouri College Journalist of the Year, 1988.

5.      Record for most individual college journalism awards received in one year (1988)

·        1st place, Missouri College Newspaper Association (MCNA), Entertainment Review

·        1st place, MCNA, sports writing

·        2nd place, MCNA, regular column

·        2nd place, MCNA, feature writing

·        2nd place, MCNA, In-depth reporting

·        3rd place, MCNA, regular column

·        3rd place, MCNA, news reporting

·        3rd place, MCNA, sports writing

·        Honorable Mention, MCNA, Investigate Writing

·        Honorable Mention, MCNA, news writing

·        Honorable Mention, MCNA, In-depth reporting

·        Honorable Mention, MCNA, sports writing

·        Overall front page design, Drury Mirror, 3rd place, MCNA

·        Overall newspaper, Drury Mirror, 3rd place, MCNA,

 

Publications:

·        1981 National Beta Club Journal, short story "Bill's Eight Ball Room."

·        1983 National Beta Club Journal, short story "The New Neighbors"

·        1984 Keys to Springfield, research story on "J.F.G. Bentley."

·        1987 The Drury Quarterly, story "Understanding the Dunkels."

·        1987 American Collegiate Poetry Anthology, "When Fears of Final Tests and Grades Do Die."

·        1988 The Drury Quarterly, story "Supreme Court Justice Harry Blackmun Speaks at     Commencement" A Closeup Look."

·        1989 Jordan Creek Anthology, short story, "A Friend of the Family."

·        1995 Country Folk Magazine, short story, "Cornfields."

·        1999 Missouri State Manual, selected photo, “Old Clear Creek School.”

·        1999 Missouri Life, magazine article, “Historical sites in Greene County, Mo.”

·        1999, March The News-Leader, Guest editorial, “Billboards clutter up our view.”

·        2000 A History of the Rural Schools of Greene County, Mo., a copyrighted and self-published 85-page book.

·        2000, June. The News-Leader, Guest editorial, “Civil War worth remembering.”

 

Newspaper columns:

·        Freelance weekly newspaper columnist for Cross Country Times (Willard) and the Commonwealth (Ash Grove): November 1, 1994 to 2002.

·        Agriculture in the Ozarks, weekly column in the Springfield News-Leader, 2002 to present.

 

Other

·        July 31, 2003, appeared for one hour on the Jim Bohannan Show (live talk radio) discussing media bias.

 

HONORS AND ACTIVITIES

(College and High School)

 

COLLEGE HONORS 

·        Outstanding Drury College Senior Male (1988)          

·        Omicron Delta Kappa Campus Leader of the Year (1988)

·        Springfield Rotary Club Student of the Month (Twice in 1988)       

·        Distinction in Political Science and Journalism (1988)

 

COLLEGE  PUBLICATION ACTIVITIES

·        Editor-in-Chief, Drury Mirror (1988), sports editor (1987), layout (1986).                   

·        Story Editor, Jordan Creek Anthology (Magazine)

·        Missouri College Newspaper Association Board          

·        Nominated, Missouri College Journalist of the Year (1988)

·        Drury Writing and Media Awards (1986-1988)           

·        Outstanding Drury Journalist (1988)

 

COLLEGE  ACADEMIC HONORS/SOCIETIES

·        Phi Eta Sigma (Freshman Honor Society, Treasurer)    

·        Phi Alpha Delta (Pre-Law Fraternity, President)

·        Alpha Lambda Delta (Freshman Honor Society, 1984)

·        Political Science Academic Support Board (1985-1988)

·        Dean's List (Eight Semesters) Class Top 5%                

·        Top 21 List (Seven Semesters Top 21 Campus GPA's)

·        Omicron Delta Kappa (Senior Academic Society)        

·        Academic, Leadership, Pachyderm Scholarships

 

COLLEGE  LEADERSHIP POSITIONS

·        Drury Ambassadors (Vice-President and President)     

·        Mortar Board (Senior Service Society, President 1988)

·        Society of Collegiate Journalists (President 1988)         

·        College Republicans (President and Co-Founder, 1987)

·        Communications Faculty/Student Committee 1985-88

·        Breech School of Business Advisory Committee 1988

·        Admissions Committee Student Representative 1985

·        College Day/Freshman Orientation Leader 1984-1988

·        Academic Standing Committee (Student Chair 1988)

·        KDCR (Campus Radio) Disc Jockey (1984 and 1985)

·        Dorm Council (1984 and 1985)                                   

·        Drury LOGOS (Campus Christian Outreach Program)

·        Student Senator 1985                                                  

·        Commencement committee (1987 and 1988)

 

LAW SCHOOL ORGANIZATIONS

·        Federalists                                           

·        Student Bar Association

·        Legal Christian Society                        

·        Moot Court

 

HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES AND HONORS

·        Student Body President                                   

·        Valedictorian

·        Senior Citizenship Award                                 

·        State Musical Honors

·        Boy's State                                          

·        State Quiz Bowl Champs (Captain, 1984)

·        National Quiz Bowl Champs (1983)

·        Letterman's Club, Band, Drama Club, Science Club, History Club, Athletics, Beta Club and Student Council

 

 

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Contact David Burton by e-mail at: [email protected]