Joseph C. Burke is an American educator who is most notable for having served as President of the State University of New York at Plattsburgh

State University of New York at Plattsburgh

The State University of New York at Plattsburgh is a four-year, public liberal arts college in Plattsburgh, New York. The college was founded in 1889 and opened in 1890. The college is currently part of the State University of New York system and is accredited by the Middle States Association of...

 and Acting Chancellor of the State University of New York

State University of New York

The State University of New York, abbreviated SUNY , is a system of public institutions of higher education in New York, United States. It is the largest comprehensive system of universities, colleges, and community colleges in the United States, with a total enrollment of 465,000 students, plus...

.

Burke pursued a bachelor’s degree in History and Philosophy from Bellarmine College

Bellarmine University

Bellarmine University is an independent, private, Catholic university in Louisville, Kentucky. The liberal arts institution opened on October 3, 1950, as Bellarmine College, established by Archbishop John A. Floersh of the Archdiocese of Louisville and named after the Cardinal Saint Robert...

 and Masters and Ph.D. degrees in Legal History from Indiana University, Bloomington

Burke began his career at Ohio Wesleyan University

Ohio Wesleyan University

Ohio Wesleyan University is a private liberal arts college in Delaware, Ohio, United States. It was founded in 1842 by Methodist leaders and Central Ohio residents as a nonsectarian institution, and is a member of the Ohio Five — a consortium of Ohio liberal arts colleges...

 and Duquesne University

Duquesne University

Duquesne University of the Holy Spirit is a private Catholic university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded by members of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, Duquesne first opened its doors as the Pittsburgh Catholic College of the Holy Ghost in October 1878 with an enrollment of...

. He assumed the position of Academic Vice President Loyola College (Montreal)

Loyola College (Montreal)

Loyola College was a Jesuit college in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It ceased to exist when it was incorporated into Concordia University in 1974. A portion of the original College remains as a separate entity called Loyola High School....

 and negotiated its merger with Sir George Williams University to form Concordia University in 1974. He then moved to the State University of New York at Plattsburgh

State University of New York at Plattsburgh

The State University of New York at Plattsburgh is a four-year, public liberal arts college in Plattsburgh, New York. The college was founded in 1889 and opened in 1890. The college is currently part of the State University of New York system and is accredited by the Middle States Association of...

, serving as its President for twelve years. Burke became Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs of SUNY in 1986 and was asked to assume the Chancellory when his predecessor resigned due to failing health.

Burke is currently a Senior Fellow with the Rockefeller Institute’s Higher Education Program.

SUNY Plattsburgh's Burke Gallery is named after him.