https://www.wcmo.edu/alumni/awards/index.html
Since 1956, the Alumni Awards program has recognized outstanding alumni living lives of success, significance, and service. The following awards are presented annually during Alumni Weekend: the Alumni Achievement Award, the Young Alumni Award, the Jack Marshall Loyalty Award, and the Remley Award.
We’re proud to share that two SAE alumni have been selected to receive the Alumni Achievement Award, recognizing individuals whose accomplishments reflect Westminster’s mission and who have made a lasting impact through personal, professional, or societal contributions.
Congratulations, brothers!
Kenneth R. Burton, ’65 ΣΑΕ
Kenneth R. Burton of Katy, Texas, Class of 1965, is a distinguished U.S. Army Reserve veteran, legal professional and humanitarian whose career has impressively spanned military service, corporate law and global mission work.
After graduating with a degree in biology from Westminster, where he was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, Burton served as an operations officer for the 31st Hospital Center in Philadelphia. In that capacity, he oversaw medical units across 14 states. Burton was later appointed as a mobilization designee by the U.S. Army Department of Defense, with worldwide medical operations under his jurisdiction at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. There, he prepared for immediate deployment in the event of a national emergency.
In the legal and corporate sphere, Burton made a lasting impact by creating the first Political Action Committee (PAC) for corporations, a precedent-setting initiative upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court that reshaped the landscape of American politics. His expertise in energy law further solidified his professional legacy. Beyond his legal career, Burton has devoted significant time and personal resources to global humanitarian efforts. His missions have provided medical aid, polio vaccinations and access to clean drinking water in remote villages worldwide.
George W. Mahn III, ’92 ΣΑΕ
George Mahn III of Dallas, Texas, Class of 1992, is a musical artist, composer, producer and proprietor of Gentry Avenue Productions, which was established in 2000.
Following successful corporate management positions in business and information technology operations, Mahn revived a lifelong dream and debuted original repertoire to critical acclaim and radio airplay under the band name Vertical Leap. Since 2002, Mahn’s tracks have been broadcast regularly on a variety domestic and international terrestrial stations, including SiriusXM, as well as internet channels. Additionally, his genre-bending discography has underscored marquee programs, motion pictures and arts productions.
Through the years, Mahn’s many musical collaborations have segued into producing projects, garnering producer and sound engineer award nominations. He has co-produced artist showcases and live concerts, including benefits for the Dallas Police Department Honor Guard, the DFW Rescue Me canine adoption organization and Vintage Racers for Rescues canine and feline foster group. His benefit work has also included collecting coats for homeless veterans of Dallas.
Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Mahn earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors in English with an emphasis in literary analysis from Westminster after previously studying jazz guitar at Webster University. He has served on the Westminster College Alumni Council and has received accolades for volunteer leadership with the Missouri Gamma chapter of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, as well as the national organization.
Mahn is a dual member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) as well as SoundExchange. He also actively supports the Copyright Alliance. He muses about his life adventures via his blog, Vertical Tales.
