Public Relations

Lessons for life embodied in a new book, ‘An American Dream Comes True’

Former NWACC President writes book on experiences

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           BENTONVILLE – Friday, Feb. 6, 2009 – Lessons for life are embodied in a new book, “An American Dream Comes True, a community college founding president’s memoir,” according to the author, Dr. Bob C. Burns.

            A copy of this historic publication will be presented to NorthWest Arkansas Community College President Dr. Becky Paneitz at a ceremony at rededicating NWACC’s renovated Burns Hall 3:30 p.m., Monday, February 16, 2009, on the Bentonville central campus.

            Dr Burns was this college’s founding president, serving in that role from 1990 to 2002.

            “The publication features three parallels which culminated regionally in northwest Arkansas, but the lessons contained in them apply to life in general, regardless of location,” Burns said.  “These parallels are drawn amongst three interlocking events:

• First, the 30-effort by the community to create and develop a two-year college,
• Second, educational opportunities that provide a way out of life circumstances for thousands of individuals, and
• Third, the author’s life pathway through poverty and hardship in the Delta that eventually led him into education and ended with his becoming the founding president of an institution of higher education.

            According to its author, the theme of the above referenced triad is this: no adversity, no hardship, nothing, if opposed by the human will, can hold permanently captive the human spirit. 

            “In that sense, this work speaks volumes about motivation, achievement, quality of life, and about the benefits of relentless pursuit of life’s goals,” Burns said.

            The Foreword of the publication was prepared by Dr. Stuart Chilton Sr., Professor Emeritus of Educational Administration, Texas A & M University – Commerce. 

            In his remarks, Dr. Chilton stated that, “An American Dream Comes True is a book that will become more appreciated as the years slip away.”   

            He went on to say: “Perhaps Dr. Burns’ life might be likened to the famous words of the British poet, John Donne (1753-1631).  Donne said this – ‘Any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.’”

            Yes, Dr. Burns has been ‘involved in Mankind’ in community college education for many years.

            “The State of Arkansas and NWACC have been blessed with his presence,” Dr. Chilton said.

            Burns was born in eastern Arkansas on a 40-acre cotton farm.  He purposed early in life to get a college education, for he believed that this direction would lead him out of poverty and hardship. 

            Once he escaped it, he then devoted his life work to helping others improve themselves through a similar pathway that he had taken.

            That trail was filled with many chances to help change lives for the better through community college education, according to a recent statement by this author.

            Among comments made in a professional book review of Burns’s publication by Christine Fautheree, The Crowded Bookcase / Book Reviews, was this:

“In the end, I was left with the thought that one should never underestimate the importance of recording history in the making.  What a tremendous legacy the author has left for this College and those who were a part of its making, and even those who will become a part of its future.” 

           Fautheree added that she “was touched by the power of a tiny spark, in the heart of a young boy, which ultimately became a living dream come true.  If you are looking to be inspired, this story will take you there.  In this book, An American Dream Comes True, the author’s anthem is clear – there is potential in every life, no matter the past.”

            According to Burns, some of the occasions that allowed him to contribute to changing lives for the better through education included:  a founding community college presidency after serving as president of another two-year college, vice-president, assistant to the president, dean of instruction, department chairman, classroom teacher, counselor student, and consultant/evaluator for accreditation of two-year colleges in a 19-state North Central region.

            Among the chapters in the book are the following ones: A Commitment to Quality; Successes – How Our Team Did It; Responsibilities of a Community College Founding President; Some of the Things I would Do Differently; A Few Predictions About NWACC’s Future; Potential Threats to NWACC’s Continued Success; and NWACC – An American Dream Comes True.

            Dr. Burns will be available to sign books beginning at 8:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 16, at the NWACC Barnes & Noble Bookstore in the Student Center. Additional copies are available online on the author’s website at

www.AnAmericanDreamComesTrue.com; Amazon.com; BarnesandNoble.com; or your local bookstore. 

            For further assistance the publisher can be contacted at: Yorkshire Publishing Group, 7707 East 111th Street South, Suite #104, Tulsa, OK 74133     918-394-2665.

            The book’s ISBN number is:  0 88144 324 7

For questions/comments on this content, please contact Jim Hall.

This page was last updated on:  December 21, 2009 @ 8:51 am