The Team Behind the Scenes: An Inside Look at GSDM Facilities with Andrew “Andy” Burke, Director of Facilities & Operations
For 25 years, Andrew “Andy” Burke has led GSDM Facilities & Operations, expertly navigating his team—and thus, the school—through floods, power outages, snowstorms, and pandemics. Though often unseen, the tireless work of Burke and his team ensures the school’s infrastructure runs smoothly.
Burke recently announced his intention to retire, effective June 30, 2025, bringing an end to his 46 year-long career at Boston University. With his retirement fast approaching, he took a look back on his time at GSDM, sharing more about what his office does and retelling some of his favorite anecdotes from his time tackling complex facilities challenges.
Burke joined Boston University in 1979, working in the facilities group on the Medical Campus. He transferred to GSDM in 2000 and was promoted to director of facilities & operations in 2013. In his current role, Burke serves as the principal supervisor for improvement and construction projects, as well as providing management support for the ongoing operations of GSDM. He said every effort made by the facilities team stems from a sense of pride and determination.
“We do care if the building is operational,” Burke said. “When visitors come in here, we do want to make a good impression.”
An average week for Facilities & Operations consists of walking through the building, checking in with the control center, taking care of eye washers/sterilization equipment, and following up on any maintenance request. The office also oversees the dental supply store, helping students and residents secure the supplies they use in treatment at each of the bays.
Burke said the primary goal is to keep all equipment at the school operational and ready for use.
“We make sure that you have AC in the summertime and you get heat in the wintertime,” Burke said. “We make sure that you have water to all your bays and ensure that exhaust systems are working. We make sure the building’s operational, it’s safe for everyone.”
Throughout his time at GSDM, Burke’s savvy preparedness has been critical for many of the school’s major construction projects, including constructing the original Simulation Learning Center (2000), converting a preclinical laboratory into the sixth-floor Patient Treatment Center (2002), the design of dental school and dental health center in the Emirate of Dubai (2005), and the completion of the multi-phased expansion and renovation project (2021).
His hard work and dedication have been recognized numerous times: He won the John S. Perkins Distinguished Service Award in 2006, the highest honor that Boston University non-faculty members can receive, and the school’s Goldman Award in 2023. Burke said his efforts are never done in the hopes of receiving individual recognition, adding that he wouldn’t be successful without the support of his colleagues. He was also captain of the Jaw Breakers, the GSDM intramural ice hockey team comprising students, faculty, and staff, that won championships in 2015 and 2018.
“I couldn’t have done my job without everyone’s [assistance],” Burke said. “We needed everyone to participate from each department, staff, facilities management. They’re the ones that actually make me look good.”
It hasn’t always been an easy and uneventful career, and Burke has many zany tales to share from his four-decade career—like the time in 2011 he rushed to Logan Airport at 2 a.m. to pick up an electrical part during a 72-hour power outage. Burke also worked in the command center at the main university commencement from 1990 to 2011, taking care of any emergencies. He’d sleep in the dorms over the weekend to make sure he would be ready at 5 a.m. the day of the all-University commencement. He said it’s all part of the job.
“I’m kind of old school,” Burke said. “[When] I put my name on the ‘dotted line’, it means something.”
According to Burke, the biggest challenge he faced was the COVID-19 pandemic. Construction halted on the $115 million addition and renovation project, timelines got murky, and limited staff were allowed to work in person. He said the team had to adapt to ever-changing guidelines and prepare for a socially distant reopening.
“James Taillefer [assistant director of facilities and operations] would be in assisting with putting the chairs out, the signs out, getting ready for the reopening that we didn’t know when the reopening was,” Burke said. “That was probably the hardest time of my time here at the university.”
Burke has worked under five university presidents and three dental school deans, and he has seen a lot of changes in his time. But when asked why he has stayed at GSDM for 25 years, Burke had a simple answer: the people.
“I think Goldman School of Dental Medicine has the best personnel,” Burke said. “I think that everyone wants to do the right thing. Everyone’s loyal to the school. I believe that the culture here is easygoing. Just really good people, really good people.”
As for the future of GSDM’s facilities & operations, Burke said the next big project is going to be replacing the cooling towers, which should take place in late June/early July and installing new air handlers. He said these improvements will be essential for effective and efficient air conditioning during the summertime.
What comes next for Burke? He said he doesn’t know—and that’s okay. He has booked a well-deserved vacation in Florida in November, and the rest is a story that is yet to be written.
“One day, someone will ask, ‘Hey, whatever happened to that old guy who used to walk around all the time?’ And maybe they’ll smile when they say it.” Burke, with a quiet pride in his voice, said “I think I’m leaving it in good hands. It’s been an incredible journey; I’ve had the honor of walking beside some truly amazing people and I’m going to miss them more than words can say.”