Burns B. Crookston was a man ahead of his times. He left a legacy to the student affairs profession that inspired the practice of student development education. His writings described a role for higher education in training students to become active citizens by learning about leadership, decision making, and conflict resolution in democratic organizations. His discussion of social contracts led to a renewed vision of democracy, public service, and the practice of community engagement on all levels of society, beginning with teaching and learning in residence halls and extending to student government and civic engagement in the wider society.