Chris Burke '93 - Alumni Profile
Click Here to Fill Out Your Own Alumni Corner ProfileChris Burke - 1993
Big Brother: Richard Dubin '91
Little Brother: John Schanne '95
Offices Held: Social Chairman, Rush Chairman
OX: Why did you join Theta Chi?
Chris Burke: There was a broad cross-section of people in the house. Also, Jason Ross really convinced me, so I guess he is to blame.
OX: What is your favorite Theta Chi memory or story?
CB: There was a party during Arts Fest the first summer I lived in the house, and some random girl stole about 15 of my CD's. Several brothers helped me track her down, and in exchange for not turning her into the cops, I made her buy me those CD's + 5 additional ones as a penalty, but also made her spend a whole day cleaning out the kitchen and about 100 of the nastiest "summer time" (anyone who lived in the house during the summer with an open kitchen knows what I am talking about) pots that had been stewing in the kitchen sink "sludge pit" with macaroni, old nachos, and chicken wings.
OX: What kind of influence has the fraternity had on your life since graduation?
CB: I had a lot of opportunities for leadership outside of the chapter that helped mold me as a person, due primarily to the influences of Chris Heidrick. In addition, almost every one of my good memories is tied to my experiences with Theta Chi, in one way or another.
OX: What is your nickname? How did you get it? Did anyone in particular give it to you?
DB: Blockhead - For those who don't me well, I guess I was a bit obstinate and boorish back then. Hopefully I have changed for the better a bit since then.
OX: Did you live in the house? If so, who were your roommates? Tell us about a memorable time with them.
CB: I had several, all of whom pretty much regretted it -- Greg Hancock, Graydon Webster, Greg Rush, Matt Mallin, and Andrew Brey (who failed out before he had a chance to regret it).
Best story are the pre/post parties Andrew Brey and I had with Mau-Mau, Ralph Baez, and all of the other "experienced" brothers during our term as social chairmen
OX: Where did your pledge class go on their bolt? What brothers did you take? Any funny stories you can tell?
CB: We went to Virginia Tech, but I can't remember any good stories.
OX: With whom do you stay in contact? And is there anyone with whom you’ve lost touch that you would like to find?
CB: Andrew Brey is pretty much the only person. I have spoken recently with a couple of other brothers because of the need of the alumni chapter.
OX: And is there anyone with whom you’ve lost touch that you would like to find?
CB: Anyone who doesn't have a cup of beer in his hand....
OX: What other activities or organizations were you involved with during your college days?
CB: A few...
OX: Tell us about your family. Have you married? Do you have children?
CB: I have been married since 1999 to a woman named Gail, and we have two girls, Lauren (5) and Erin (2).
OX: What do you do for a living?
CB: I work for a firm called the Maxus Group -- our core businesses are executive search and contract staffing. We also have a number of subsidiary firms that do some specialized engineering consulting as well.
I worked as a CPA and IT Risk Management Consultant for Price Waterhouse before that.
OX: What do you do with your free time?
CB: I spend time with my wife and kids, work in the garden, play a little golf and also dabble in a bit of classical piano. Business also takes up fair amount of time.
OX: What are your goals for the next few years?
CB: I would like to see if we can increase involvement in Theta Chi and bring some of the talent we have as alumni to bear on the alumni corp as well as the undergraduate chapter.
OX: What organizations are you involved with in your community?
CB: I am a member of several CPA organizations, the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM), and do some public speaking related to the staffing and recruiting industries.