Retiring. With Honors.

A miniature Mayan sculpture, a Joker action figure and an array of snow globes were once among the knick-knacks that cluttered E. Carter Burrus’ desk.

His office was covered by old photographs, gifts, and souvenirs that students gave him throughout the years.

But his office is emptier these days.

Burrus, The Honors College director for the North Campus, is giving away those possessions to students who pass by.

The reason: he is retiring Oct. 29 after nine years as the North Campus Honors College director.

“It’s hard. I feel horrible. He’s been here since the very beginning when I started at Miami Dade and he’s been helping me ever since,” Biology major Jonathan Diaz, 19, said. “He’s been our guide through this journey we call college.”

Burrus, 66, began his career as a teacher at Christopher Columbus High School in Westchester, his alma mater, where he taught for 25 years. Burrus also taught part-time at Miami Dade College’s Medical Center Campus.

In 1991, he became a full-time professor, offering classes in anthropology, history, psychology and political science.

Burrus left the Medical Center Campus in 1996 after general education courses were no longer offered there.

But two honors program director positions were open at the Kendall and North campuses.

The North Campus, he said, was a perfect fit for him, even though it was nearly a 25-mile drive from his home in Kendall.

“I can’t imagine anything that would be more stimulating than working with these high achieving students and helping them live their dream,” Burrus said.

In 2001, the honors program was revamped after Miami Dade College President  Eduardo J. Padrón organized a committee to brainstorm a state-of-the-art program.

Its result: the Honors College, with offices at the North, Wolfson, Kendall and InterAmerican campuses.

Burrus has mastered the art of multi-tasking. Besides his duties as director, he serves as an adviser for Honors College students.

“Having the knowledge about what courses are set up and how it works is essential,” Burrus said.

A bespectacled Burrus with a powerful build from his high school football years strides the halls of The Honors College, occasionally visiting classrooms to say a quick hello or to make an announcement.

When he’s not at meetings or chatting with professors, Burrus can be found in his office in Room 1373, leaning back on his black cloth chair with leather handles where dozens of students flock each day to ask questions about classes or for transferring advice.

And to accommodate everyone, Burrus, an avid Elvis Presley fan rarely goes to lunch, preferring to gulp down a bottle of chocolate Muscle Milk.

“I just can’t leave,” Burrus said.

Stephanie Bardales, an international relations major, said she passes by the Honors College office to greet Burrus in the morning.

“He has opened so many doors for me,” Bardales said. “It’s really amazing.”

Dr. Alexandria Holloway, dean of The Honors College, said Burrus’ expertise far exceeds that of most other professionals in the field.

“He is one of the most consummate professionals that I have had the privilege to know,” Holloway said. “So many people in this field know what to do, but Dr. Burrus truly has the heart for it.”

Burrus, who is also the co-adviser for Phi Theta Kappa—MDC’s international honor society—has no choice but to retire. He is on a state retirement program which requires him to take off for at least one year, leaving open the possibility of his return in the future.

“I’m not retiring from life,” Burrus said. “I think I’m pretty good at what I do. I can channel it some other way.”

For Burrus, it’s hard to say goodbye.

“It’s sadder for me than it is for the students,” Burrus said. “They are going to leave anyway.”

Helen Garcia, Burrus’s former student and later his assistant, said he is an inspiration that she will never forget.

“I will always be thankful because he saw me when I was invisible,” Garcia said via e-mail. “I was very fortunate to be his student, assistant and friend.”

Dr. Holloway said Burrus “leaves The Honors College far stronger, smarter and richer than it was when be began. He leaves a legacy that is unparalleled.”

While no official replacement has been announced, Burrus said The Honors College will continue to thrive.

More than 500 honors college students have graduated under his tenure.

Laura C. Morel, who graduated from The Honors College in 2009, said Burrus pushed her to go beyond Miami and apply to out-of-state schools. She is now majoring in print and multimedia journalism at Emerson College in Boston, Mass., and will graduate in the spring.

“I can’t thank Dr. B enough for making me see that I could make it out there,” she said.

For Morel, it will be difficult to visit The Honors College and not see Burrus sitting in his office.

“The Honors College just won’t be the same without him,” she said.