Dr. Jack D. Burke

Dr. Jack D. Burke was an academic leader who spent his 29-year career strengthening Penn State Behrend. He started at Behrend in 1981, serving as senior associate provost and senior associate dean prior to being named chancellor in 2001. He was honored with the naming of the college’s largest academic building as the Jack D. Burke Research and Economic Development Center (REDC) prior to his retirement. Dr. Burke was an avid supporter of the athletic teams. His presence at games was always welcomed. 

Serving as the college’s chief operating officer from 1981-2001, he was responsible for day-to-day operation of the college, including academic support units and services such as admissions, the registrar, the library, computer and information systems, and the honors/scholars program. He played a lead role in strategic planning, development of academic programs, budgeting, and capital construction. 

Within the college, Dr. Burke served as chair of the Enrollment Management Group, the Committee on Diversity, the Technology Integration Group, and the Image Committee. He oversaw planning and development of new facilities, including the new $30 million REDC. University-wide, he served on the Faculty Advisory Committee for Information Technology, the Undergraduate Programs Academic Assessment Team, the Administrative Committee for Undergraduate Education, and the Academic Leadership Council. 

Dr. Burke has represented Penn State Behrend in a wide variety of economic development activities and has served as the president of the board for the Enterprise Development Center for Erie County, as a member of the Civic Coordinating Committee, and as a member of the board of the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership, where he chairs the Economic Development Committee. 

Prior to joining Penn State Behrend, Dr. Burke served as a faculty member and as associate dean at the State University of New York’s Empire State College, where he was awarded the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. He has a bachelor’s degree from the State University College at Oswego, New York. He earned a master’s degree and Ph.D. from the State University of New York at Buffalo. In 1986, he earned a certificate from Harvard University’s Institute for Educational Management. He is the author of more than thirty journal articles and conference presentations. 

Dr. Burke and his wife, Candy, have two adult children and reside in upstate New York.