Elsie Burkhalter with her husband Jesse Phillips (left) and Southeastern Louisiana University President John L. Crain.
After serving on the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors for 18 years – including two years as chair of the board – Elsie Burkhalter of Slidell was honored by the education community at a Southeastern Louisiana University reception on March 29.
In a heartfelt address to friends and supporters at the residence of SLU President John L. Crain, Burkhalter spoke about the highlights of her career on the board, and promised to remain active as a supporter of higher education in Louisiana.
One of her chief goals, she said, will be the fight to retain separate boards for Louisiana’s colleges and universities.
At the celebration, Burkhalter was named a Golden Ambassador of Southeastern Louisiana University. She is one of just eight people, and the first African-American, to earn the designation.
Burkhalter was first appointed to the board in 1993. She has served as president of the St. Tammany Federation of Teachers and School Employees since its inception in 1979, and is also a vice president of the American and Louisiana Federation of Teachers, as well as the Louisiana AFL-CIO.
Burkhalter earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Southern University, and a master of education degree from Southeastern. Last year she was recognized by the SLU Alumni Association as the Distinguished Alumnus of the College of Education and Human Development.
Burkhalter is active politically, having served as vice president and president of the Slidell City Council and a delegate to the Democratic National Convention for six conventions.
Named one of “50 people to watch” by New Orleans Magazine, she serves on the state’s Workforce Investment Board, the Louisiana Center for Women and Government, and the Louisiana Student Financial Assistance Commission.
Elsie Burkhalter and her official portrait as a Golden Ambassador of Southeastern Louisiana University.
She has been honored with numerous awards, including the Louisiana federation of Teachers’ Pioneer Award and the St. Tammany Parish School Board’s Extra Mile Award, presented for outstanding contributions to the recovery of the school system in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.