Burton Scholarships | Financial Assistance for Training

Purpose and Administration

The endowment has a two-fold purpose, which is to advance the content, quality, and effectiveness of municipal programs held at The University of Alabama’s Office of Teaching Innovation and Digital Education, and also to help perpetuate and improve the quality of services rendered by the League of Municipalities to their constituents. The fund is administrated by a panel consisting of the President of the League, the Executive Director of the League of Municipalities, the Director of the Division of Professional and Management Development, and the Associate Provost of the Office of Teaching Innovation and Digital Education. To apply for financial assistance, please fill out the following application:

John G. Burton Endowment Scholarship Online Application

Municipal Programs Supported by the Fund

  • Municipal Management Training Institute for Municipal Clerks and Administrators (Municipal Clerks Annual Conference) provides municipal clerks and administrators with education on important issues and concerns facing them professionally and personally. Topics such as elections, records retention, and other legal issues are covered.
  • Certified Municipal Clerks Program (CMC) was established in 1970 and is designed to enhance the job performance of the clerk in small and large municipalities. It prepares the applicants to meet the challenges of the complex role of municipal clerks by providing them with quality education in partnership with institutions of higher learning.
  • Master Municipal Clerks Program (MMC) is an advanced continuing education program for clerks who hold a CMC certification. The program prepares participants to perform complex municipal duties through extensive and rigorous educational components and professional and social contributions.
  • Municipal Revenue Officers Certification Program is designed to improve the professional, administrative, and fiscal skills of participating municipal revenue officers through a series of courses approved by the Alabama Municipal Revenue Officers Association (AMROA). It also serves to help municipal revenue officers develop their management skills and abilities and obtain more expertise and status in their profession as they serve their communities.
  • Alabama Revenue Officers Association Annual Conference updates participants on new trends in municipal revenue management. Current developments in revenue law, ABC laws, auditing techniques and business licenses are some topics that are addressed.

History

The Alabama League of Municipalities in cooperation with The University of Alabama’s Office of Teaching Innovation and Digital Education established this endowment in honor of John G. Burton who served as the first president of the Alabama League of Municipalities in 1936 and held an executive position in that board for eight years. Mr. Burton was a recipient of state and national recognition for his progressive ideas and accomplishments. A native of Walker County, he attended Eldridge Baptist Academy. He was employed with the Central Bank and Trust Company in Jasper from 1918-1932. Elected mayor of Jasper in 1932, Burton served in that capacity until 1946. During his tenure as mayor, he made important contributions to his county and state. He was instrumental in getting tax dollars for municipalities, and he established schools for the training of municipal workers. Mr. Burton was a member of the Board of Trustees of Walker College in Jasper from 1938 to 1946. From then until 1956, he served as the business manager of Howard College. He worked in the real estate business from 1956 until his retirement.