Would you cut your salary by $90,000? The majority of Americans will never be able to make that decision. But for KSU Interim President Raymond Burse, not only was he in the position to make that decision, the reason why he did it is a noble one.
While some will say that this move is a stunt, in regards to the minimum-wage question that is of increasing interest across the U.S., Mr. Burse’s generosity has increased the minimum-wage pay of 24 workers.
With this salary cut, CNN?reports that 24 workers that range from clerical workers and custodians to grounds keepers, will see their pay increase from $7.25 an hour to $10.25 an hour. In response to this move, Burse said:
?I did it to bring the lowest wage employees up to a level where I think they should be. These are the people who work hard and make the place look good.?
Since the salary cut was approved by the Kentucky State University Board of Regents, Mr. Burse’s annual salary drops from $349,869 a year to $259,744.04 a year. While his final salary does not exactly put Mr. Burse in dire straights, it is refreshing to see a man in such a position be so selfless.
Make no mistake though, Mr. Burse’s position was earned through hard work and dedication. The youngest of 13 children, he worked more than his fair share of minimum-wage jobs.
From tobacco cutting to being a caddy in his native Kentucky, Mr. Burse eventually graduated from Harvard and became a Rhodes Scholar. With his story, he has shown that the American dream can become reality, and then give back to those pursuing their own dreams.
With the constant bickering and greed we see from our government ?leaders?, it is so refreshing to see someone such as Mr. Burse show what can be done by a single individual.
Watch video of the report below:
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