Andy Burke Honored with University Perkins Award

When the school’s facilities need attention, there’s no question whom to call: Andy Burke, BUSDM’s clinic and administrative manager extraordinaire. His ability to solve the most complex facilities issues while cheerfully and consistently handling routine requests earn him the respect and admiration of faculty, staff, and students alike. Now he can count the Boston University Faculty Council among his admirers; this week, the group selected him as a recipient of the John S. Perkins Distinguished Service Award. It is the highest honor for staff at Boston University.

Andy’s service to the school lays the foundation that allows the BUSDM community to work, teach, and learn. Said Dean Spencer Frankl in his letter of nomination, "He is our ‘go-to’ person for every imaginable problem, from logistics planning to HVAC repair to office painting. Simply put, he does the work that lets us do ours. He cheerfully addresses issues to create a functional, efficient, and safe environment for the entire community."

A prime example of this comes from the summer of 2001, when the school experienced a power outage. Not only did Andy remain on campus throughout the 72-hour blackout, he rushed to Logan Airport to pick up a necessary replacement part so BUSDM would not be without power for the extra time it would take for delivery.

Andy’s methodical planning and preparation have been essential to the success of major projects, including the construction in 2000 of the school’s technologically advanced Simulation Learning Center and extensive renovations in 2002 converting a preclinical laboratory into our sixth-floor Patient Treatment Center.

He accomplishes all this after a lengthy commute from Halifax, where he lives with his wife and three children. Despite his drive into the city to be at work by 6 AM and an equivalent trip home at 4 PM or sometimes later, Andy consistently goes above and beyond at Boston University. Each May, for example, he attends BUSDM’s annual Spring Gala. Instead of heading home after the event, however, he spends the night in a dorm on the Charles River campus and is one of the first setting up for Commencement the next day.

Receiving the award came as a big surprise to Andy. "I never knew my name would have been in an arena like that, that’s for sure," he says. Characteristically, Andy credits others for his success. "You don’t win an award by your yourself, it’s the cooperation of everyone else. There’s a real sense of community here with Dean Frankl at helm. He wants to bring out the best in everyone."

The Faculty Council will present the award to Andy in a ceremony May 2 on the Charles River Campus. Also receiving the award this year are Michelle Duffy, director of academic services at CAS, and Beverly Keniston, director of the Laboratory Animal Care Facility.

Andy joined BUSDM in 2000 after serving on the Medical Campus facilities staff for more than 20 years. He is the school’s the second recipient of the Perkins Award; Kathi Ferland, director of administration, was honored in 2002.