Burrell Scholarship Has Been Supporting RichmondCC Students for Over 20 Years

Feb. 26, 2026 - Gene Burrell began working for Richmond Community College in 1988 as an evening dean while also teaching history, government and geography classes. In 1991, he became executive director of the RichmondCC Foundation and served in that role for over 10 years before retiring.

Because of his dedication to RichmondCC, Dr. Burrell and his wife, Alice, established the Gene & Alice Burrell Scholarship, which has been helping students afford college and pursue their educational goals for the last 20 years.

“I had seen a lot of students come and go at RichmondCC, and I felt I had an obligation to help those who were looking for an education and didn’t quite have the resources for it,” Dr. Burrell said. “We were happy to be able to establish this scholarship and help them.”

Over the years, Dr. Burrell has received thank-you letters from students who have received their scholarship.

“They have all been grateful and quite gracious. Hearing their appreciation feels good,” Dr. Burrell said.

Originally from Florida, Dr. Burrell earned a degree in history from Stetson University in Deland, Fla. He spent 30 years in the Army and was stationed at Fort Bragg in Fayetteville when he retired in 1988. He and his wife made Richmond County their home after he took the job at RichmondCC.

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If you would like to learn more about establishing a scholarship with the RichmondCC Foundation, contact Dr. Wendy Jordan at (910) 410-1807 or wkjordan@richmondcc.edu.