4-20-01
LILLEY LEAVING PENN STATE ERIE AFTER
21 YEARS;
BURKE NAMED INTERIM PROVOST
Dr. Jack Burke has been named interim provost and dean at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, effective July 1, 2001.
Burke's appointment follows the announcement by Provost and Dean Dr. John Lilley that he will leave Penn State Behrend this summer to become president of the University of Nevada, Reno. A national search for Lilley's successor will be conducted.
Lilley has been chief executive officer at Penn State Behrend since 1980. During the past two decades, the college has become a leader in regional economic development, raised $65 million for endowments and facilities, and more than doubled student enrollment to 3,800.
"Jack Burke has many years of experience
as a member of the leadership team at Behrend and is highly respected
by all who know and have worked with him," said Dr. Rodney Erickson,
executive vice president and university provost, in announcing the
appointment. "I know that all of the faculty, staff, and students
of Behrend College and community members of the Erie region will help
to support Dr. Burke in his efforts to continue the outstanding progress
of the campus."
Lilley, who hired Burke in 1981, said he hasn't "appointed anyone
since who has
topped Jack Burke. He's been vital to the success and growth of Penn
State Behrend."
Burke, currently senior associate provost and senior associate dean, has been at Penn State Behrend since 1981. He is 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 has played a lead role in strategic planning, development of academic programs, budgeting, and capital construction.
"John Lilley has been a superb leader, and he has assembled an outstanding faculty and staff," Burke said. "Together, my colleagues and I will continue to pursue Behrend's ambitious agenda to serve the tri-state region."
Prior to joining Penn State Behrend, Burke served 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 in geography from the State University College at Oswego, New York. He earned a master's degree and Ph.D. in geography from the State University of New York at Buffalo. In 1986, he earned a certificate from Harvard University's Institute for Educational Management.
Burke and his wife, Candy, have two children and live in Erie.
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Contact: Loretta Brandon
(814) 898-6063 (O)
(814) 864-9922 (H)
e-mail: lzb6@psu.edu