Burke’s Behrend Building

Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, recently named the campus’ largest academic building in honor of the school’s retired Chancellor Jack D. Burke ’69.

The Jack Burke Research and Economic Development Center was designated in July. Burke retired in June after 29 years with the college. Prior to joining Penn State Behrend, he served as a faculty member and associate dean at SUNY Empire State College.

Penn State Erie, the Behrend College, named a building in honor of Jack D. Burke '69, its former chancellor.

The $30 million 160,000-square-foot building, which houses Penn State Behrend’s engineering and business schools, opened in 2006. Burke was honored at a ceremony where he also received the key to the city of Erie from Mayor Joseph E. Sinnott.