Meet this week’s Campus Cutie! Mike Burke is not only one of the most fashionable men around, but he completes his everyday look with a smile. I met Mike through mutual friends, but even before we had our formal introduction a few weeks ago, he always greeted me around campus with a soft smile. Lambda’s current president sets out everyday to lead by example for his brothers and current pledges. He took time out of his busy schedule to meet up with me in the library with his best friend, Will Schoen by his side to prompt him if he needed that extra push to answer some of my questions. (It was adorable!) Sooo now take a moment to read up on Mike Burke!
HC: What’s your class?
MB: Junior
HC: What’s your major?
MB: Finance and Risk Management & Insurance
HC: Where are you from?
MB: Scranton, PA
HC: Congratulations on starting your term as the Lambda Chi Alpha President! How happy are you? Tell me everything!
MB: I’m really happy about holding this position. Lambda has been a huge part of my college experience. I rushed spring semester my freshman year. I joined because my good friend from home, Thomas Burke (Shoutout T-Burke), convinced me to come to the Meet the Greeks event and then thereafter the actual rush events. He was already an initiated brother of Lambda and said that he saw me as a good fit for the fraternity. When I went to Meet the Greeks, Chad Gill was actually the first guy that I met in the room. It’s funny thinking about it now and how we both ended up in the same place. I felt that people weren’t a specific type and were all very welcoming. My big was a second semester senior, which was kind-of unusual, but we made the best out of it. Lambda was actually on social probation for part of my first semester as a new member, but it didn’t stop a bunch of us from rushing Lambda. Everyone wanted to be apart of the organization for more than date party and formal. Our philanthropy, Feeding America is huge for us. We work directly with Philabundance.
HC: I can see that you’re passionate about this organization. Do you ever feel like you’re holding the weight of every brother on your shoulders?
MB: Yes and no. It’s kinda weird. When I was a sophomore, I ran for a position and lost. I was bummed because when I was a new member, I knew that I wanted a board position. Then when late sophomore year/early junior came around I thought about running again for a long time. At the end of last semester, I decided that I absolutely want to try for this again, because I want to represent the chapter as a whole. I learned that it is okay to try again because things might work out better than they would’ve before.
HC: What is your favorite thing about SJU?
MB: The people. People take it for granted, but at SJU it just feels like everyone wants to meet you and introduce you to their best friend. I’ve heard from people visiting that they feel that immediately.
HC: Current Relationship Status?
MB: Single (!!!!)
HC: Where can you be found on campus?
MB: O’Pake Recreation Center… or the library on the second floor new side. First floor is just too much, but second is the right mix. You can take off the headphones if you want and have a conversation or you can easily focus in on your work.
HC: Describe yourself in three words!
MB: Outspoken, outgoing (I love to say hello to people around campus, the “raise your hand in class” kind of person), and loyal
HC: What is something that people don’t totally know about you?
MB: I’m not ashamed to admit my guilty pleasure is my closet (even though I don’t have one). I’ve got too many clothes and it drives my mother nuts. I always rely on classic stuff like Ralph Lauren. I wouldn’t say I’m hooked on the brand but when they make a lot of the great stuff you don’t get much choice in the matter. Since high school, some of my friends would joke that I don’t own sweatpants because I’m just way more comfortable in a pair of pants for some reason. At the end of the day, rule of thumb is that it’s never bad to be overdressed. Just don’t be underdressed.
HC: What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
MB: Mint Chocolate Chip
HC: What else are you involved with on campus?
MB: The Dean’s Leadership Program, Relay for Life, Make a Wish Club, Sandy Hook Promise Organization, Best Buddies Club, Finance Society, Capital Markets Club, Gamma Iota Sigma.
HC: What is your favorite bar in Manayunk?
MB: I don’t want to say it, but it’s true…Mad River because literally everyone is there. My dream is to have all of my friends at the same party and that’s exactly what it is on Thursday. #MRT ( Catch him at RiverPalooza this Saturday!!!)
HC: Can you name your most memorable experience at SJU?
MB: My good friend Will and I were actually just talking about it yesterday. I would have to say the day of Kentucky Derby last year. It was our senior sendoff and we threw the race and then the boxing fight later that night up on a big projector. Everyone was super into it. I can’t not mention my freshman year dorm here though. LaFarge was absurd. My Dad’s 55 year old friend actually lived in the same room that I did. So yes, the legend lives on. It was unexplainable the things that happened there. If you lived there, then you understand.
Coincidentally at this point in the interview, Mike’s roomie from LaFarge happened to stop by our table in the library to throw in a few words.
Brian Scari: “From freshman year to now, I’ve seen Michael Burke develop from the young supple man that I roomed with freshman year (totally random roommates) to the prim and proper gentleman and catalog worthy eye-candy and I couldn’t be more proud of him.”
Now back to Mike…
HC: What is your favorite food?
MB: Chicken Parm
HC: What will you be found drinking at MRT?
MB: Whiskey Sours
HC: What is a deal breaker/ deal maker?
MB: Deal breaker for me is tattoos (with some exceptions). Another is definitely when she won’t get off of her phone.
Deal makers are good conversations, likes live music, and comes from a loving family.
HC: What is your dream date?
MB: How many guys have said they wanted to end the night with a walk? They are wrong, it is too cold out! Phillies game, late dinner and drinks, but can’t forget the view… that’s the must have part about the date. Somewhere high-up in the city would be ideal.
HC: Best relationship advice?
MB: Would you bring them home to your mother? I’ll leave it at that because it’s true. The family has to love them in the end.
HC: Advice for anyone currently pledging Greek Life?
MB: Just jump in. Embrace it as much as you want. Use it to better yourself and those around you.
As you can see, Mike is a very well rounded member of the SJU community. Through leading by example, he exemplifies what it means to live and learn through others. At the end of his interview after a long Monday, Mike asked me an interesting question. To be honest, I was not having the best day, so this caught me incredibly off guard, but for the better. He said, “Has anyone ever interviewed you for Campus Cutie?” I kinda just sat there and blushed because I am always on the other end of experience. So what does he do? He turns my computer around asks me all of the exact questions that asked him in my article. It was a pleasant surprise because you don’t realize how fun and thought-provoking even these simple questions can be until they are asked to you on the spot. This is just another example of how much Mike cares about others, even when he is only just getting to know them. So next time that you see Mike at the DB tables or in the library, make sure that you say hello!
XOHC,
Faith
(: