Burgin E. Dossett, son of Thomas David Dossett and Mary Telitha Hunter, and husband of Nell Elizabeth Jennings Dossett, was President-Emeritus of of East Tennessee State University. He was educated in Campbell County Tennessee Schools, received an A.B. degree from the University of TN, in 1922 and the an M.A. degree in 1924 from Harvard University. He received two honorary LLD degrees from Bob Jones University and King College. His career in education and public service spanned over 50 years, serving in virtually every level of education from teacher at a one-room school to holding state posts. He was Tennessee commissioner of education and chairman of the Tennessee Board of Education in 1945-49 and in 1947 framed the General Education Bill, which reorganized the state's educational system, setting a pattern followed by other states. During his presidency at ETSU, the school was transformed from a teacher's college into a fully accredited university. He was a member of Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church. He worked as an instructor during the summer sessions at the University of TN, 1921-27; as a high school principal, 1924-28; a county superintendent of schools in Campbell Co, TN, 1928-1935; a secretary to U.S. Senator Nathan Bachman, 1934-1935; and an East TN Administrator for the WPA, 1935-36. In 1937, he became manager of the Social Security Board, Knoxville, and was appointed Commissioner of Education for the State of TN, in 1945. He became executive director of the American Cancer Society, TN Div, Jan-Aug 1949. He served as president of East Tennessee State College, between 1949-1968.
Burgin E. Dossett, son of Thomas David Dossett and Mary Telitha Hunter, and husband of Nell Elizabeth Jennings Dossett, was President-Emeritus of of East Tennessee State University. He was educated in Campbell County Tennessee Schools, received an A.B. degree from the University of TN, in 1922 and the an M.A. degree in 1924 from Harvard University. He received two honorary LLD degrees from Bob Jones University and King College. His career in education and public service spanned over 50 years, serving in virtually every level of education from teacher at a one-room school to holding state posts. He was Tennessee commissioner of education and chairman of the Tennessee Board of Education in 1945-49 and in 1947 framed the General Education Bill, which reorganized the state's educational system, setting a pattern followed by other states. During his presidency at ETSU, the school was transformed from a teacher's college into a fully accredited university. He was a member of Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church. He worked as an instructor during the summer sessions at the University of TN, 1921-27; as a high school principal, 1924-28; a county superintendent of schools in Campbell Co, TN, 1928-1935; a secretary to U.S. Senator Nathan Bachman, 1934-1935; and an East TN Administrator for the WPA, 1935-36. In 1937, he became manager of the Social Security Board, Knoxville, and was appointed Commissioner of Education for the State of TN, in 1945. He became executive director of the American Cancer Society, TN Div, Jan-Aug 1949. He served as president of East Tennessee State College, between 1949-1968.
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