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Alumni Awards List

DON BURCHETT grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He chose to attend K-State because it was recommended to him by one of his high school teachers as an excellent university for an education in architecture and landscape architecture, both areas of interest for Don.

While taking some elective classes, Don found that he also enjoyed political science and gerontology. After his second year of architecture studies, Don changed his major to political science and gerontology, completing degrees in both of those fields in 1993.

As an undergraduate student, Don heard about K-State's regional and community planning program and met with Professor Al Keithley, program director, to learn more. What Don discovered was a discipline that allowed him to use his not only his skills in political science and gerontology but also his knowledge of architecture. This mix of disciplines and skill sets peaked Don's interest in planning, and he applied for admittance and was accepted into the planning program.

During his first year as a planning student, Don worked with a Kansas City, Kansas, neighborhood group that was acquiring grants and working with elected officials to encourage redevelopment and reinvestment in the neighborhood. As a second-year planning student, he was a graduate teaching assistant for Professor Ray Weisenburger.

Following completion of the Master of Regional and Community Planning in 1996, Don was employed as director of planning for Berthoud, Colorado. His duties included managing the town's planning department and development review consultants, as well as administering the town's land development code, land use plan and comprehensive plan. He also prepared and presented staff recommendations to the town board, planning commission and board of adjustment.

Since 1999, Don has been employed in the community development department of the City of Longmont, Colorado. From 1999 to 2001 as a planner II, Don performed technical urban planning work. He reviewed complex development applications including annexations, subdivisions, planned unit developments, zoning, special reviews and site plans. He also coordinated with other city reviewing departments and prepared written recommendations.

Named a senior planner in 2001, Don's current responsibilities include project management, construction inspections and urban planning work for large, commercial projects that are highly political and contentious. His duties include reviewing complex development applications for annexations, subdivisions and planned unit developments. Don also researches information for special projects and works with other city departments in accepting infrastructure into the city's system.

He is a member of the American Planning Association and the American Institute of Certified Planners.

Don is married to classmate and fellow 2006 Regional and Community Planning Alumni Honoree Kerri (Keithley) Burchett. They have two children.