Long before he would serve in public office or be honored for a lifetime of leadership, Burkett Levon Witt was a young man growing up in the Free Hill community of Athens, Tennessee, learning firsthand the cruel, harsh realities of a segregated American South.

     Born in 1926, the youngest of ten children, Witt’s early life was shaped by challenge. His childhood and part of his adulthood were spent enduring the Jim Crow system, which enforced strict separation of the races in public facilities, schools, and transportation.

     But Witt never allowed the Jim Crow laws to define him; instead, he was defined by something else – his resilience, faith, and unwavering sense of dignity. It was these qualties that would guide him through every chapter of his life.

     Like many of his generation, Witt answered the call to serve. During World War II, he joined the United States Navy, fighting for a country that strongly limited his rights. When he returned home, Witt carried with him not only the experience of service but also a vision for building something meaningful in his own community.

     That vision began, in many ways, with food.

     In 1949, Witt opened a small soda shop in Athens, a place that would soon become known to Tennessee Wesleyan students as the “Slop Shop.” It may have seemed like a simple restaurant, but the Slop Shop quickly became something more. Located on campus for many years, the Slop Shop became a true cornerstone of student life.

     And there, Witt did more than serve delicious meals. He built relationships.

     For generations of Tennessee Wesleyan students, Witt was a familiar face, a steady presence, and a friend. In a time of change and uncertainty, his warmth and consistency left a lasting impression that extended far beyond the walls of the dining room.

     After his years on campus, Witt continued his work in Athens, opening Burkett’s Barbecue alongside his wife, Mildred. Once again, food became a vehicle, but building and uniting his community was always the purpose. Through fundraisers, service, and decades of hospitality, he became woven into the fabric of the city itself.

     In 1971, Witt made history as Athens’ first Black city councilman. Over the next three decades, he would serve his community with integrity and dedication, helping guide the city through growth, change, and progress. In 1983, he again broke barriers, becoming Athens’ first Black mayor.

     Whether working to strengthen community relationships, serving on local boards, or advocating for social justice and unity, Burkett Witt led with humility and purpose. His influence helped shape not only the policies of a city but the spirit and history of a community.

     In recognition of his extraordinary impact, Tennessee Wesleyan University awarded Witt an Honorary Doctorate of Public Service in 2014. Today, the Dr. Burkett and Mildred Witt Scholarship continues that legacy of service even after the 2023 passing of Burkett Witt at the age of 97.

     Though he was not a graduate of TWU, Burkett Witt became something just as meaningful, becoming a steady pillar of the Tennessee Wesleyan experience. Today, students and community members can once again enjoy meals in a small restaurant located on TWU’s campus. That restaurant is fittingly named “Burkett’s.” 

     As part of “TWU’s Gift to America,” Burkett Witt represents a different kind of legacy, one not built in a single moment but over a lifetime of faithful service and perserverence. His life fed a community, bringing people together even during segregation.

     To this day, Burkett Witt’s legacy will continue to inspire each Bulldog that steps foot on our campus, a legacy that all started with a small restaurant.