Graves School of Business Dean Inducted into Wilton T. Anderson Accounting Hall of Fame

Honor recognizes Dr. Royce D. Burnett’s Distinguished Career in Public Accounting and Leadership in Higher Education

Royce Burnett, Ph.D., dean of the Earl G. Graves School of Business and Management at Morgan State University, has been inducted into the prestigious Wilton T. Anderson Accounting Hall of Fame at his alma mater, Oklahoma State University (OSU). The honor recognizes his distinguished career in academia and the accounting profession, as well as his continued leadership in preparing the next generation of business leaders.

Since arriving at Morgan in 2024, Burnett has led the rising business school to new heights—elevating its national profile and positioning it as a destination for ambitious students seeking a high-quality education and a direct pathway into the business world. Under his leadership, the Graves School has become the most highly enrolled school at Morgan, expanded its funding and partnerships, and saw its MBA program ranked No. 54 nationally by Bloomberg Businessweek.

The Wilton T. Anderson Accounting Hall of Fame recognizes distinguished OSU alumni for their exceptional contributions to the accounting profession and their dedication to developing future leaders.

“Receiving this recognition is one that is deeply meaningful to my professional and academic journey as an accountant and higher education administrator,” said Dr. Burnett. “To be recognized in this way affirms the work I’ve dedicated to the accounting profession, my students, and the broader business and social communities. This honor motivates me to continue striving to bring excellence to the classroom and to remain committed to mentoring the next generation of professional and academic accounting leaders, both of which will, undoubtedly, prove instrumental in serving the community with integrity and purpose.”

Dr. Burnett earned his Ph.D. in accounting from OSU in 2003 and transitioned to academia following more than 17 years of experience in public accounting and corporate finance. His professional background includes roles at two Big Four accounting firms and two Fortune 500 companies, as well as founding and leading a successful accounting practice. He has held key academic and administrative leadership positions at Old Dominion University, Southern Illinois University, and the University of Miami. In these roles, he championed curriculum innovation, fundraising, and accreditation efforts.

As a researcher, Burnett’s focus has been on cost management, sustainability, and public sector accountability, and he has published extensively in top-tier journals. He is widely recognized for creating transformative educational experiences and for fostering partnerships among students, the community, and industry.

The Graves School of Business ranks first in awarding doctoral degrees to African Americans in the state of Maryland. Through its programs, it offers students experiential learning opportunities that prepare them for competitive careers in the financial sector. It has been designated by UNCF Project ACCLAIM (Accelerating Learning in Asset Investment Management), a national initiative designed to prepare students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) for leadership roles in asset and investment management. As part of this initiative, Morgan students manage $4 million in investment capital.

Congratulations, Dr. Burnett, on this well-deserved accomplishment and on your continued leadership within the Morgan community.