While chair, the U of U joined the prestigious Association of American Universities prompting Burton to remark, "We already knew that the U was one of the jewels of Utah and of the Intermountain West, this invitation shows that we are one of the jewels of the entire nation".
During his tenure as chair, the U of U became a member of the distinguished Association of American Universities, which led Burton to state, "We already recognized the U as one of Utah's and Intermountain West's treasures; this invitation indicates that we are among the nation's gems."