Activities at Amherst
Since he was young, Burke has had an affinity for the values central to a liberal arts education. He chose to attend Amherst for this reason. He said he loves the College and attributes many of the most valuable lessons he has learned to his professors, courses and experiences during his time here. Burke majored in history, but he said his learning experience extended far beyond the classroom. The skills Burke learned as a student active in myriad extracurricular activities, from athletics to radio, made his time at Amherst not only academically enriching, but also invaluable in his current life, from business to family.
Burke played lacrosse and hockey for the College, and was captain of the hockey team. He believes that learning about the team dynamic was important to his success in business. Athletics taught him leadership and the importance of being able to motivate and communicate with other teammates. For Burke, the sport was not merely about winning and losing. It was about life and how to work and communicate with other people in order to perform successfully as a team.
He has applied the skills he learned as a student-athlete to his life off the playing field. "Communication is the most important skill I have needed to become successful in my field," said Burke.
Burke refined this ability at Amherst not only through playing hockey and lacrosse, but also as the radio commentator for weekly College football games.
Academics come first
Despite the time he spent on the field and behind the microphone, Burke kept his academics at the forefront. Burke remembered a seminar on the Bill of Rights that he took during his freshman year and that was taught by Henry Steele Commager, the John Woodruff Simpson Lecturer Emeritus. Burke had learned about Commager in high school, and to have a small seminar with him was beyond Burke's wildest expectations for the potential of a liberal arts education. "[He was] a god among historians," Burke recalled fondly.
Burke's favorite course during his time here, however, was a psychology class on brain chemistry. He enjoyed learning about how to predict people's actions as it helped him to strengthen his communication skills by understanding what people were thinking by observing their actions. The ability to understand people is a skill that Burke has found valuable in the business field.
Following his time at Amherst, Burke attended Harvard Business School, from which he received an M.B.A. He excelled at Harvard, as he had at Amherst, but his heart still lies with the Jeffs. He has attended class reunions for both Harvard and Amherst and says there is no comparison. "The alumni [at Harvard] are only concerned about your title, where you work and how much you make," said Burke. His Amherst classmates have personality and know what is truly important in life, according to Burke.
Burke also believes that the College itself is a special place. "I learned how to build a balance between my academic, social and athletic lives," he said. It was the diverse experiences available here that taught him how to maintain such a difficult balance. He still uses this skill to give both his family and his job the attention they deserve.
The College taught Burke many valuable lessons. "I learned a sense of independence and the importance of social interaction," said Burke. It was this ability to socialize that in fact led him to meet his wife at the College.
Clear skies
Since graduating from Harvard, Burke has held an impressive and extensive series of positions. Burke currently serves as President and CEO of the Weather Channel Companies. While he is relatively new to the company-his first day was February 4, 2002-his leadership responsibilities are immense. He oversees The Weather Channel Network, Weather.com and Weather Services International, as well as various digital cable, radio, newspaper and interactive television products. "He is a fantastic individual," said Linda Brady, his assistant.
Before joining the Weather Channel team, he served in management for Time Warner and Turner Broadcasting. He was president and CEO of News and Information, Time Warner Digital Media and served as president of Turner South and TBS Superstation. While at TBS, Burke directed the development of the station into a fee-paid cable service. In addition, he served as the head of Turner Classic Movies from its initial conception to its realization as a successful television program.
The volunteer positions he has held extend his accomplishments beyond the business world. He is a national trustee of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and is also on the Board of Directors of The Clean Air Campaign and the Emma L. Dowen Foundation.
Burke had one final piece of advice for current and future students at the College. "Try everything, don't hold back. Amherst is too great of a school to miss out on the experiences it has to offer." He added that his success is due to possessing the courage to always try new things.