About Us

Dr. Lem Burnham

I am Dr. Lem Burnham, a full-time university professor of Behavioral Science and Psychology. I have been teaching at the university level for more than a decade. I am a member of Pi Gamma Mu, the International Honor Society, the oldest and preeminent honor society in the social sciences. Also, I am a member of Psi Chi, the international honor society in psychology.

I earned my doctoral degree (Ph.D.) at Temple University in 1984. My dissertation, titled [Personality in Groups: Group Relevant Personality and Sociometric Status], examined the construct validity of an instrument designed to measure individuals' personalities in Group Situations. More specifically, the study focused on whether the Behavioral Predispositions in Group Situations Inventory (BPGSI) provided a valuable framework for understanding aspects of human behavior within the specific context of groups, which could be generalized to groups in everyday situations. In doing so, this study questioned whether reducing the original large number of BPGSI variables to include a smaller subset of dimensions would permit the measurement of an individual's group-relevant predispositions or personality traits across different group situations. My dissertation was published in 1990 by ProQuest/University Microfilms International.

I served our country for four years as a United States Marine from 1965 to 1969, including a 13-month deployment to Vietnam with the 3rd Marine Corps Division (1966-1967). I earned the Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Combat Action Ribbon; Naval Unit Citation; Presidential Unit Citation; Vietnam Service Medal w/1 Star; and Vietnam Campaign Medal w/device. After my four-year obligation to our country, I received an honorable discharge from the United States Marine Corps to pursue civilian life interests.

I enjoyed the privilege of being a professional athlete for seven years (1974-1980). I was drafted contemporaneously in 1974 by the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League and Hawaii of the World Football League. I played in the World Football League (1974-1975), the Canadian Football League (1976), and the National Football League with the Philadelphia Eagles (1977-1980). Additionally, I have served in key leadership roles in and outside of sports. I have been a consultant to Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, and the National Football League. I was team psychologist for the Baltimore Orioles from 1986 to 1994, team psychologist for the Philadelphia 76ers from 1988 to 1992, and team psychologist for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1989 to 1992. In addition, I have been a senior-level executive in non-sports related profit and non-profit organizations. For example, I was a Founding Director of the Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence (CAEPV) in 1995.

I served on the National Advisory Council on Violence against Women (NACVW) from 1995 to 1997 and co-chaired the NACVW's education and sports committee. The National Advisory Council on Violence against Women was established in 1995 to help the federal government implement new legislation connected with the Violence Against Women Act, passed into law by Congress in 1994. The National Advisory Council on Violence against Women produced the "Agenda for the Nation on Violence against Women" to serve as a blueprint for communities and government agencies addressing violence against women in the new millennium. Attorney General Janet Reno and Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala co-chaired The National Advisory Council on Violence against Women. Hence, I continue to search for ways to serve and help improve our shared human experience.