Frank and Elizabeth Burke

Five faculty chairs: Frank and Elizabeth Burke, Doylestown, Pa., established five faculty chairs at K-State: Ernest K. and Lillian E. Chapin Physics Chair, John W. and Dorothy M. Burke Architectural Engineering Chair, Daniel D. Burke Chair for Exceptional Faculty in the College of Business Administration, Elizabeth Chapin Burke Chair in Human Ecology and Richard A. and Greta Bauer Pickett Chair for Exceptional Faculty at KSU.

A K-State daughter gives back: “My father taught at K-State in the physics department, so I lived in Manhattan many years,” Elizabeth said. “He was a steadfast teacher and had his principles. I learned a lot from my dad. He was pretty happy teaching at Kansas State.”

K-State connection: Elizabeth graduated from K-State with a bachelor’s degree in dietetics and institutional management in 1955. Frank also graduated in 1955 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. They met in college and were married during their senior years.

Why support teachers?  “Education is directly dependent on the quality of the teachers,” Frank said. “We just feel this has been something that hasn’t gained much attention or popularity. A faculty chair is a perpetual gift that will continue to get the job done.”

The advantage: “It is a special privilege to be a part of the engineering and construction education process to help guide young people into engineering and construction careers that will make a tangible difference to society,” said David Fritchen, recipient of the John W. and Dorothy M. Burke Architectural Engineering Chair.