Ralph F. Burns

Ralph Frank Burns (May 12, 1912 – September 25, 1993) was an American fraternity executive who served as executive secretary of Alpha Sigma Phi from 1936 to 1976. He is referred to as "Mr. Alpha Sigma Phi" for his lifelong dedication to the organization. Burns was also a charter member and officer of the National Interfraternity Conference and president of the Fraternity Executives Association.

Early life

Burns was born in New Castle, Pennsylvania, on May 12, 1912.

During World War II, when most chapters closed and membership dues declined, Burns took a full-time job on August 1, 1943, as the executive manager of the New York City Life Underwriters Association, while continuing to volunteer his time to the fraternity at night. After the war, Burns resigned from the Life Underwriters Assocation in 1945, and returned to Alpha Sigma Phi on a full-time basis.

Burns served as president of the Fraternity Executives Association from 1952 to 1953, president of the College Fraternity Editors Association from 1962 to 1963, and recording secretary and charter member of the National Interfraternity Conference. He was a member of the American Alumni Council and served on the Bicentennial Commission of the American College Fraternity.

He retired as executive secretary emeritus of Alpha Sigma Phi in August 1976. For his 40 years of service, Burns is remembered as "Mr. Alpha Sigma Phi." Evin C. Varner Jr. Distinguished Service Award for lifetime dedication to Alpha Sigma Phi (1980) Outstanding Community Service Award from the Delaware Rotary Club (1981) A plaque dedicated to Burns was installed in the JAYwalk pedestrian mall of Ohio Wesleyan University (1994) Alpha Sigma Phi established the Ralph Burns New Member Program, now called the Ralph F. Burns Leadership Institute, to continue his legacy (1997) The Alpha Sigma Phi named its new national headquarters in Carmel, Indiana, in his honor (2002)

Personal life

Burns married Ann May Heidman of Cleveland, Ohio on September 13, 1937, in Youngstown, Ohio. The couple initially lived in New York City, but later moved to 162 Cottswold Drive in Delaware, Ohio.