Bermudian David Burt is the first black student in the history of George Washington University (GWU) to be elected president of the student association.

Yet, despite his victory overseas, Mr. Burt confesses he is "a bit bitter toward Bermuda.

"It's unfortunate, but I get treated better overseas. For my first two years of university my mother had to almost pull teeth in order for me to get a loan and most of the scholarships I applied for, no one had the courtesy to even call and let me know my status.'' Mr. Burt also expressed disappointment at the lack of enthusiasm from Bermuda businesses to employ him.

"I came home two summers ago and tried very hard, I really did, to get employment, but in the end I found nothing so I left and went back to DC.

" They clamour for my services in the US and I had no problem finding a job right away,'' he said.

The accomplishment, considered a major coup in the prestigious and predominantly white private university, has also won 21-year-old Mr. Burt a full tuition scholarship for the next year, a value of $33,000.

Bright, confident and charming, Mr. Burt remains modest about his presidential victory said his sister Winsome.

"I went to visit him in Washington during the campaign and went canvassing in the dorms with him,'' she said. "The campaigning was a very serious business and many of his posters were torn down,'' she said.

"But he has always worked hard for what he wanted and achieved his goals. I had every faith in him and expected he would win.'' But Mr. Burt explained that he was the dark horse in the race.

"George Washington University has a very political campus. It's just four blocks away from the White House and students are very politically aware.

"You would not believe some of the things that happened during this election, how friendships were lost, how students back stabbed each other and the kick-backs that took place.

"I won against the odds,'' he continued, "I was the outside candidate.

Others had the endorsements, I did not. I worked really hard and have a great sense now that I can succeed against the odds.'' The University said candidates could not exceed $1500 on individual campaigns.

Mr. Burt said he spent $1490 and claimed it was necessary to get his message across.

"I set up a website,'' he said, "you can still access it at www.burt4prez.com and I had to place ads in the papers, produce posters and other literature. I had to canvass and meet with students.'' Mr. Burt said his motivation for running was simple: "I knew I could do a better job than anyone else.'' Operating on a platform which put forward the idea that changes can be made through cooperation and commitment and means outside of politics, Mr. Burt noted that he is now faced with "the daunting task of doing it''.

"There is a tremendous amount of work to be done,'' he said. "I take office on May 1 but already I had five meetings just last week.'' Working with other members of the student association, Mr. Burt has the ultimate responsibility for the budget allocated by GWU for student activities.

"It is a huge responsibility and there is a lot of work to be done, there are eight vice presidents and 50 staff,'' he noted.

Student makes history at US university "I will have to meet regularly with the President and Vice President of the University as well as special speakers and invited guests. There are a lot of official functions which I will have to attend as well,'' he added.

Tremendous pride in their son is nothing new to Mr. Burt's parents Gerald and Merlin who sent him to military boarding school in Florida after he completed his years at Saltus.

David quickly excelled at Florida Air Academy and was the Wing Commander - the top ranked student, in the predominantly white school. He graduated valedictorian.

Now a senior at George Washington University, Mr. Burt is slated to graduate next May with degrees in finance and information systems.

Despite past treatment in Bermuda, Mr. Burt said his plans on graduation are to return to the Island to work in the international business sector.

"I specifically changed my major four times for that reason,'' he said.

Overseas success: David Burt is the first elected black president of the student association at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.