Hall of Fame
Gene Burge was born and raised in Fort Worth, TX, and attended Polytechnic High School before enrolling at Texas Wesleyan. At the end of his freshman year, he met a girl from Covington named Ann Harrell. Ann was May Queen in 1954, and they married in September of that year, just after graduating. Gene and Ann have been long time supporters of Texas Wesleyan Athletics.
Gene graduated from Baylor Dental School in 1957, and served three years in the U.S. Public Health Service before entering general dentistry practice. He retired in 1997, after being honored for 50 years of service from the Texas Dental Association. Gene is a past president of the Alumni Association (1963-1964). They are members of Handley United Methodist Church, and have served on several committees there.
The Burges’ connection to Texas Wesleyan has lasted more than 50 years. Three of their four children graduated from Texas Wesleyan. Barbara received a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1980; James and John both received a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1983. Cynthia attended, but went on to earn a degree in dental hygiene. “Wesleyan feels like home,” Ann said. “It was good to us.” Gene is a current member of the Board of Trustees. At the annual Athletic Awards Ceremony, the Gene and Ann Burge Sportsmanship Award is given to the male and female athlete who best exemplifies the characteristics of true sportsmanship during the year.
