Honorary Alumni Award Citation

Dr. Edward H. “Jed” Burtt, Jr.

With this presentation of Ohio Wesleyan University’s Honorary Alumni Award, the Ohio Wesleyan Alumni Association Board of Directors is honored to recognize posthumously Dr. Edward H. “Jed” Burtt, Jr., for his academic contributions and long dedication to the University and OWU community.

Jed earned his B.A. in Biology from Bowdoin College in Maine before earning both his M.A. and Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

He taught at Ohio Wesleyan for 37 years and mentored countless students, helping them to become better students, better researchers, and better people through his caring guidance.

During his time at Ohio Wesleyan, Jed earned 16 research grants totaling more than $3 million, helping to provide research stipends to nearly 90 students. His work also helped Ohio Wesleyan to buy its original scanning electron microscope and replacement scanning transmission electron microscope.

He wrote many books and gave more than 100 different presentations across the globe.

He chaired the National Audubon-Ohio Committee on Important Bird Areas, helping to identify places in Ohio with critical wildlife areas. He served as President of the American Ornithologists’ Union and was awarded honorary life memberships in both the Association of Field Ornithologists and the Wilson Ornithological Society. Jed was a Fellow of the Animal Behavior Society, American Ornithologists’ Union, Ohio Academy of Sciences, and International Ornithologists’ Union. In 2011, he was named the Ohio Professor of the Year.

Jed was deeply dedicated to teaching and mentoring students, stating: “Awakening a passion in a young person and helping each student fulfill a newly formulated dream is the essence of teaching. There is no higher calling, no greater purpose in life.”

It is with great honor and pride that we remember the tremendous impact made by Dr. Edward H. Burtt, Jr., and honor him with Ohio Wesleyan’s Honorary Alumni Award.