After 43 and a half years at Lincoln Memorial University, Regina Burns has retired, leaving behind a legacy defined by dedication, relationships, and her enduring love for the institution that shaped her life.
Looking back, Burns said the most rewarding part of her time at LMU, both as a student and an employee, has been the friendships she forged with colleagues, students, and alumni.
“When I was a student, many employees took me under their wing and, at times, saw more in me than I saw in myself,” she said. “I am so grateful that many of those same people and their families are still dear friends today.”
As an employee, Burns’ connections spanned decades of alumni, helping her maintain a deep connection to LMU’s community. “Seeing them light up when they speak about LMU or helping them reconnect with the campus and friends has definitely been a highlight,” she said.
Burns joined LMU in the 1970s, a time when the campus was smaller and felt like an extended family, she said. Coming from a small town, she credits the university with teaching her invaluable life lessons, including self-confidence.
“I essentially grew up here,” Burns said. “LMU taught me everything.”
It was during her student years that Burns met her husband, Dan Burns, whose passion for LMU influenced their decision to dedicate their lives to the university. “We never seriously considered a life outside LMU,” she said. “It was our life.”
If she could relive one moment at LMU, Burns said it would be the time she met Dan. “It wasn’t by chance that I came to Harrogate, Tennessee, in 1976,” she said. “It was meant to be.”
Over the years, Burns witnessed LMU grow from a small, close-knit institution to a thriving university offering a variety of professional programs.
“Even though I have witnessed all the changes, they are still almost unbelievable,” she said. “The fact that we have multiple professional programs, and the majority of them available on the main campus, is mind-blowing. The changes were necessary for the continued success of LMU.”
For the Burns family, LMU was more than just a workplace. Their children grew up on campus, attending daycare and eventually becoming Railsplitters themselves. Dan Burns, known for his versatility and commitment, worked as a coach for much of his career and later joined his wife in University Advancement.
“Whatever he was asked to do—whether he knew anything about it or not—he gave it his best shot,” Regina Burns said. “He was the epitome of a company man.”
Reflecting on her years in the alumni and advancement office, Burns said she treasured being a familiar face for alumni and the community.
“It is rare for people to stay in one place as long as I have been at LMU,” she said. “That is one of the things I will miss most about retirement.”
As she transitions to retirement, Burns said she is most looking forward to spending more time with her family, including her grown children and grandchildren.
“My mom came at the drop of a hat when I needed help, and I want to do that for my family,” she said. “I also heard someone say recently, ‘You can’t grab hold of the next thing if you’re still holding on to something else.’ That was confirmation for me that I’m making the right decision.”
While she doesn’t yet know what her “next thing” will be, Burns said she is excited to find out. She plans to stay connected to LMU by continuing her involvement with LMU Women of Service and attending alumni events whenever she can.
“I will miss seeing my LMU family on a regular basis,” she said. “You can’t go somewhere almost every day for 43 ½ years and not feel emotion when that routine is about to change. Seriously, I encourage everyone to embrace the experience that you have or had with LMU, whether it was for a season or, as in my case, for a lifetime. LMU is made up of people who care about each other and you. Find those people and keep those people in your life. Give back to LMU. There are so many ways you can do that from wherever you are. If you don’t know how, reach out to my friends in University Advancement and they will guide you in the right direction.”
Lincoln Memorial University is a values-based learning community dedicated to providing educational experiences in liberal arts and professional studies. The main campus is in Harrogate, Tennessee. For more information about the undergraduate and graduate programs available at LMU, contact the Office of Admissions at 423-869-6280 or email at admissions@LMUnet.edu.
