Georgetown, DE – The extraordinary contributions and leadership of the late Robert D. Burris have been recognized by the creation of a $1 million scholarship fund in his name at Delmarva Christian High School.
Annual distributions from the fund will ensure that no student is turned away from DCHS for financial reasons, a primary objective of Mr. Burris while he served as a director at the school.
Creation of the scholarship was led by a committee of friends and relatives of Mr. Burris who raised more than $1 million in his honor over the past five months. Committee members included Mr. Burris’ son, Donnan Burris, Thomas H. Draper, Rick Fischer, Joseph M. Schell and Marvin S. “Skip” Schoenhals.
Burris, who died September 20, 2010, is remembered as a deeply spiritual man who commanded respect “not because he was boisterous, but because of his genuine compassion and wisdom,” said Schoenhals, chairman of the Burris Logistics board and the retired CEO and Chair of WSFS Bank. “He was an accomplished leader and business man but he always had time to serve his friends,” he said.
In addition to supporting Delmarva Christian High School, Burris served on the boards of Bayhealth Hospital, Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, Delaware Family Foundation and WBOC. He was also a director at the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia and Delmarva Power.
His widow, Susan, said Burris always gave of his time, talent and treasures, but in particular the latter. “He gave generously and joyfully,” she said. “We seek to honor him by following in his footsteps.”
About Delmarva Christian High School
Delmarva Christian High School is a non-denominational high school serving students in grades 9 through 12, primarily from Sussex and Kent Counties. The school’s mission is to train students spiritually, academically, and physically to know and accomplish God’s will for their lives. In its sixth year, the school has grown to 185 students. The classically-oriented college preparatory curriculum includes advance placement courses in calculus, chemistry, English literature and composition and U.S. history. DCHS students also engage in volunteer and missionary work throughout the year. For more information, visit HYPERLINK “http://www.delmarvachristian.com” www.delmarvachristian.com or call 302.856.4040.
