Professor Burgess attended Washburn University where he received his B.A. He taught Spanish at a high school level for a brief time period. Afterward, he received both his M.A. and Ph.D., both in Spanish, at the University of Kansas. He came to Gettysburg College in 1980, thrilled with the idea of being able to devote himself to teaching and having regular contact with students. Since belonging to Gettysburg, he has taught courses at all levels. Aside from the Spanish department, he has also worked at and with WZBT, the campus radio station, ran his own television station when the school still had a television studio, and was Student Senate Advisor for several years. Professor Burgess is currently tinkering with Mexican Puppet Theater, as contemporary Mexican Theater is his primary area of interest.