Greg Burge

Dr. Greg Burge, recipient of the Medal for Excellence in Teaching at a Research University, is an economics professor who chairs the University of Oklahoma’s economics department. The Florida State University alumnus has taught at OU since 2006.

In 2018, Burge received OU’s General Education Teaching Award, which recognizes an educator whose teaching is considered to have contributed most to the university-wide general education program. Burge says he takes great pride in that award because it “connects directly to OU’s goals related to improving student success and retention.”

“Dr. Burge’s personal touch and sustained engagement work miracles,” said colleague Qihong Liu, who noted that rates of student failure — measured by the number of D’s and F’s — fell by more than half during the first year Burge started teaching OU’s Principles of Macroeconomics introductory course.

Former students speak of Burge’s passion for teaching and his kindness. Burge worked out a deal with a textbook manufacturer so that he can give students a textbook free if they approach him about a financial hardship.

“While this situation occurs only a handful of times each year, on many occasions I’ve seen tears in students’ eyes after they learn I’ve arranged this deal with the publisher,” Burge said. “My goal is that those students would feel just as supported in their educational journey as other students with access to more resources.”

Burge developed and led the Economics in London program, the economics department’s first study abroad program in many years. Burge worked hard to build a strong program that remained affordable for students. In 2017, OU’s Dodge Family College of Arts & Sciences named Economics in London its program of the year.

Former student Leah A. Pomerantz said Burge went out of his way to make students comfortable with life in a foreign country, planning activities for them and taking them out to dinner.

In 2023, Burge chaired the local organizing committee for the prestigious Chinese Economists Society North American Conference. The event brought more than 100 scholars to campus and provided students with a valuable educational opportunity, Liu said.

Burge counts among his most prized possessions the more than 100 handwritten letters of thanks former students have sent him.

“I believe educators can tap into something very powerful when they truly care about their students’ goals,” Burge said.