Burl Gilliland was a twice Distinguished Professor Emeritus who taught in the Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology, and Research at the University of Memphis. He was instrumental in founding the Ph.D. Program in Counseling Psychology in Memphis and served as the program director for more than a dozen years. He was recipient of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Human Rights Award for his work in race relations and human relations. He was a licensed psychologist, licensed professional counselor, and licensed school counselor. He was also a retired Captain in the U.

S. Naval Reserve, having seen service in World War II and combat duty in the Korean War. He served in extensive consultative capacities with a variety of agencies, police departments, and medical and educational institutions, including service for 18 years as school psychologist for the Milan, Tennessee School District. He was active in both APA and ACA.