Chair of New Mexico Higher Educaton Department’s Capital Outlay Committee retires after 20 years in role
he New Mexico Higher Education Department joined fellow state and higher education leaders this month in recognizing the many contributions of Dr. Gerald M. Burke upon his retirement as chair of the state’s Higher Education Capital Outlay Committee this month following 20 years of service.
“Through his decades of voluntary service overseeing higher education capital outlay projects and his career as an educator and leader, Dr. Gerald Burke has made a positive and lasting impact on students and all New Mexicans. The legacy and impact of the investments made under his leadership have improved the educational experiences of hundreds of thousands of New Mexico students, boosted economies in every region, and made higher education an exemplar in capital project evaluation and management. I share my most sincere thanks to Dr. Burke for all he has done to move higher education forward in New Mexico,” said Higher Education Secretary Stephanie M. Rodriguez.
Dr. Burke’s retirement from the Higher Education Capital Outlay Committee concludes a career of more than 50 years of higher education service in New Mexico. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham declared April 12, 2023 “Dr. Gerald Burke Day” in his honor.
In his roles as chair of the Higher Education Capital Outlay Committee and chair of the General Obligation Bond Committee for Higher Education, Dr. Burke stewarded over $4 billion in state funds for capital improvement projects statewide. He has been instrumental in overseeing projects at New Mexico’s 28 public college and university campuses as well as the New Mexico School for the Blind and School for the Deaf. Projects approved under his tenure are estimated to have created over 40,000 jobs and benefitted local economies in every region.
“Chairman Burke has a profound institutional knowledge, history, and understanding of the unique capital outlay needs across higher education institutions in New Mexico, and that will be very difficult to replace. His mentorship and leadership as chair of the GO Bond campaign and the Higher Education Department Capital Outlay Committee guided the successful passage of the higher education general obligation bond as well as recommendation and approval of millions of dollars in state funding for higher education institutions in New Mexico. His contributions to the department, higher education institutions, and the state are numerous, and he will be truly missed,” said Higher Education Department Capital Projects Director Gerald Hoehne.
Prior to his roles overseeing capital projects, Dr. Burke also served as chair of the New Mexico State University Labor Relations Board, president emeritus of the New Mexico Educational Assistance Foundation, and vice president emeritus at New Mexico State University. He sat on the New Mexico Commission on Higher Education from 1999 to 2003 prior to the creation of the New Mexico Higher Education Department in 2005 and was president of the New Mexico Student Loan Guarantee Corporation and the New Mexico Educational Assistance Foundation.
Early in his career, Dr. Burke served as a faculty member of Agricultural Economics at New Mexico State University beginning in 1962 and went on to serve as associate academic vice president, vice president for administration, and legislative liaison officer. He has been recognized for meritorious service by New Mexico State University, the Council of University Presidents, the State of New Mexico, and has authored numerous academic and professional publications.
Many of Dr. Burke’s colleagues shared notes of thanks and congratulations on his retirement:
“Dr. Burke provided solid, experienced guidance to our committee in reviewing higher education capital outlay projects – his contribution will be missed,” said Harold Trujillo, Bureau Chief at the Energy Minerals and Natural Resources Department and fellow Higher Education Capital Outlay Committee member.
“Dr. Burke has brought integrity, common sense, and humor to the capital process. I have learned a great deal about facility planning from Dr Burke, and I will truly miss the thrill of being interrogated by Gerry. He is a legend,” said Dr. Rebecca Rowley, Santa Fe Community College President and President of the New Mexico Independent Community College Association.
“I have had the pleasure of sitting on the Higher Education Capital Outlay Committee with Dr. Burke for more than five years. When I first started, I was impressed by his knowledge and understanding of each project as well as his historical familiarity with past projects and campus infrastructure. He has a very sharp mind and continues to educate myself, the committee and institutions regarding past decisions and policies as well as the intricacies of General Obligation Bond elections. His expertise in the higher education field will be truly missed by all committee members and higher education institutions,” said Wesley Billingsley, Bureau Chief of the Department of Finance and Administration’s Capital Outlay Bureau and fellow Higher Education Capital Outlay Committee member.
“For over 12 years I have had the pleasure of witnessing Dr. Burke guide the State of New Mexico’s higher education capital outlay process. With his deep knowledge, he has masterfully led our state to a better place. His conscientious stewardship will be missed as his efforts have positively impacted the thousands of lives that our universities serve. Dr. Burke has been a true leader with uncompromising integrity,” said Dr. Joseph Shepard, Western New Mexico University President and President of the Council of University Presidents.
"Congratulations to Dr. Burke who, for many years, has literally contributed his time and institutional expertise to assure the health and safety of our students, instructors, and administrators housed within New Mexico's higher education facilities statewide. Unknown to many, Dr. Burke was a true public servant who served as chair of the Higher Education Capital Outlay Committee without compensation, traveling to various communities to listen, ask questions, and ultimately make critical decisions impacting post-secondary institutions and special schools throughout the state. It was an honor to serve with Dr. Burke during my tenure with the Legislative Finance Committee, and to be a recipient of his respect and knowledge," said Linda Kehoe, retired Legislative Finance Committee analyst and former Higher Education Capital Outlay Committee member.
"What a run Dr. Burke has had influencing the New Mexico Higher Education Department regarding higher education facility development, construction, and policy development. He has given so much comfort to the State Board of Finance members over many administrations as they approve projects after Dr. Burke’s committee provides prior review and approval. His service to the State of New Mexico at the New Mexico Higher Education Department, the New Mexico Educational Assistance Foundation, and New Mexico State University has been exceptional. As a fellow graduate of the University of Wyoming, he has made them proud indeed. My congratulations to Jerry on his retirement from this important role!" said Paul Cassidy, New Mexico State Board of Finance member.
“Dr. Burke has an extensive knowledge of New Mexico higher education campuses and facilities. His guidance on the Higher Education Capital Outlay Committee will be missed. His service to the state of New Mexico is greatly appreciated,” said Dr. Shawn Powell, Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell President and President of the New Mexico Association of Community Colleges.
“Dr. Burke consistently used his knowledge and wisdom to guide higher education institutions by championing the most effective uses of public resources. His impact in New Mexico on student success, workforce development, research, and economic development is simply indelible,” said Stevie Olson, former Legislative Finance Committee Analyst and former Higher Education Capital Outlay Committee member.
The New Mexico Higher Education Department, the State of New Mexico, and all who have had the privilege of working with Dr. Burke owe him a debt of gratitude for his decades of prudent leadership, collegiality, expertise, and selflessness.