ERIE, Pa. – John D. "Jack" Burke, chancellor of Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, announced a change in his retirement date — from June 30, 2009 to June 30, 2010.
"Delaying retirement by one year permits more time for an orderly transition and avoids a change in leadership during what have become very tumultuous and uncertain financial times for the higher education community," Burke said. "There are a number of things still on my plate that I need to see through to fruition, including several building projects and organizational changes that will help deal with the rapid growth and development that Penn State Behrend has experienced."
This was a mutually agreed upon decision between Burke and John Romano, vice president for Penn State's Commonwealth Campuses. "Jack has been a stellar academic administrator and leader of Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, and I am delighted to have his continued and valuable service for another year," Romano said.
From the onset of his retirement announcement in August 2008, Burke has indicated his willingness to stay on after June 30, 2009, should the search for his replacement not be finalized at that point. The search for Burke's replacement will resume in fall 2009, with the expectation that a successor will be appointed effective July 1, 2010. For more information about Burke's tenure at Penn State Behrend, visit www.behrend.psu.edu/newscal/news2008/aug-burke.htm online.