Known affectionately as “Bird,” Burdett Loomis graduated from Carleton as a government major and became a leading voice in state and national politics. He earned an MA and PhD in political science from the University of Wisconsin and began his teaching career at Knox College; he soon moved to the University of Kansas, where he spent more than 40 years.
Throughout his tenure, he established one of the most influential Washington, D.C., internship programs in the Midwest and held several leadership positions, including director of the Robert J. Dole Institute for Public Service and director of administrative communication for the Office of Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius. In recognition of this impact, he was awarded the Kemper Foundation Teaching Award. Later, in 2014, he was awarded the Steeples Award for Distinguished Service to Kansas.
Loomis passed away in September 2021 while planning for his 55th reunion with the Class of 1967.