One year, seniors piled plastic leis around his neck. Through it all, Bourns kept smiling. The gags were innocent, innocuous and the surprise added flavor to the ceremony. In recent years, seniors haven't pulled those last pranks. You get the feeling Bourns misses it.
Bourns loves to build things.
He plans to keep doing that in his next job, whatever it is. I want to continue being a learner. Starting a charter school is a possibility. He helped found one in Ewing, N.J., though he's no longer involved with it. Most likely he'll be involved with urban education issues.