Gerald "Bummy" Burstein as he is known to many, especially with his trademark white cap, was granted the honor of Board Emeritus in 2008 due to achievements and contributions to GUAA and the University. Bummy served on the GUAA Board for 29 years (13 as president, 13 as immediate past president, and 3 as vice president), and to date is the longest serving GUAA member on the board.

Bummy also shared his expertise with the parliamentary procedure not only with the GUAA Board but spread his knowledge among alumni by publishing books and providing workshops and seminars on parliamentary procedure.

Bummy has received numerous awards over the years including the degree of Doctor of Laws honoris causa in 1986 from Gallaudet University, the first Deaf President Now Leadership Award in 2005 from Gallaudet University, and the Alice Cogswell Award in 2002 from the Laurent Clerc Cultural Fund of the Gallaudet University Alumni Association.

Among Bummy's gifts for exhibiting outstanding leadership Bummy has set the gold standard for alumni philanthropy, giving generously and spearheading several alumni challenges that have raised over one million dollars in charitable donations to Gallaudet University. Bummy also established the Gerald "Bummy" Burstein, '50, Endowed Chair in Leadership and the Gerald "Bummy" Burstein, '50, Gallaudet University Alumni Association Fund.

Bummy currently resides in Riverside, CA.