TC’s Warner Burke Honored by the Military for Educating Officers at West Point | Teachers College Columbia University

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TC’s Warner Burke Honored by the Military for Educating Officers at West Point

W. Warner Burke, Edward Lee Thorndike Professor of Psychology & Education
W. Warner Burke, Edward Lee Thorndike Professor of Psychology & Education
TC organizational psychologist W. Warner Burke has received an Outstanding Civilian Service Medal Award from the Department of the Army. The Army recognized Burke, who is TC’s Edward Lee Thorndike Professor of Psychology & Education in the Department of Organization & Leadership, for helping more than 200 officers at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point become better leaders.

Burke has consulted extensively for major corporations and is the co-developer of the widely used Burke-Litwin model of organizational change. In 2005, he co-founded the Eisenhower Leader Development Program, a master’s degree program for tactical officers that’s run jointly by Teachers College and West Point. The officers take classes in organizational psychology at both the College and at the Academy. The insights into human behavior they learn in their classes helps them become better at molding West Point cadets into military leaders.

The citation accompanying Burke’s Outstanding Civilian Award reads:

“Dr. Burke’s leadership, dedication, and professionalism made him an indispensable member of the team and contributed significantly to the mission. His commitment to the Academy mission reflects great credit on him, the United States Military Academy and the United States Army."

Over the course of his distinguished career, Burke has received many accolades. But he was especially honored to receive the Outstanding Civilian Service Medal Award, in no small part because he’s a veteran. He served in the U.S. Army for two years and in the Army Reserve for another seven.

“All of us at Teachers College feel honored to work with West Point and to have the privilege of educating their tactical officers,” says Burke. “It’s always an honor to serve the U.S. military.” – Robert Florida

Published Monday, Oct 31, 2016