Skip to content
Pfeiffer University
  • News
  • Events
  • Athletics
  • For You >
    • Current Students
    • Parents
    • Alumni
    • Faculty & Staff
  • Apply
  • Visit
  • Request Info
  • Give to Pfeiffer >
    • Give Now
    • Current Initiatives
    • Ways to Give
    • Devoted & True
    • Planned Giving
    • Office of Advancement
  • About Pfeiffer
    • Why Pfeiffer
    • Mission Statement
    • President’s Office
    • Campus Convenience
    • Pfeiffer Legacy
  • Academics
    • Undergraduate Programs
    • Graduate Programs
    • Academic Departments
    • Academic Centers
    • Pfeiffer Library
  • Admissions & Aid
    • Undergraduate Admissions
    • Graduate Admissions
    • Tuition and Fees
    • Financial Aid
    • Scholarships
  • Career Success
    • Career Services
    • Explore Your Future
    • Career Coaching and Internships
    • For Employers
  • Student Life
    • Pfeiffer Journey
    • Pfeiffer Life
    • Pfeiffer Traditions
    • Campus Life
    • Religious Life
    • Center for Health Sciences
    • Graduate Campus

Pfeiffer News

  1. Home
  2. Alumni
  3. Pfeiffer Remembers Former Professor and Esteemed Educator, Dr. Melva Burke
Back to News
Related Stories
  • Academics & Research, Alumni, Careers & Outcomes, Featured
    Symposium Showcases Students’ Research
  • Alumni, Careers & Outcomes, Featured
    The Barhams Make Scholarship History at Pfeiffer
Melva Burke
Alumni, Faculty & Staff, Misenheimer

Pfeiffer Remembers Former Professor and Esteemed Educator, Dr. Melva Burke

by Gary Veazey Dec 19, 2023

Pfeiffer University is mourning the loss of Dr. Melva McCrory Burke, former professor of education and head of the Department of Education, who passed away on December 15, 2023. Burke taught at Pfeiffer from 1977 to 1996 and is remembered fondly by many alumni and former colleagues.

Burke had a passion for education and dedicated her career to inspiring future teachers. She began her career teaching special education in Stanly County (NC) Schools, from 1972 to 1977, before joining the faculty at Pfeiffer College. In addition to teaching, she served as the faculty advisor to the Pfeiffer chapter of the Student National Education Association, patron for The Chimes yearbook, and advisor for the Judicial Board. In 1996, she joined East Carolina University as a professor of education, where she supported the lateral entry program for teachers until her retirement in 2006.

Burke is survived by her sons, John Burke ’89, and his wife Marcie Clemmer Burke ’96, of Greenville, NC, and David Burke of Alexandria, VA. She was preceded in death by her husband and former associate professor of music and Pfeiffer choir director, Marvin Burke.

A memorial service will be held at a later date to celebrate her life.

https://www.wilkersonfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Melva-McCrory-Burke?obId=30134789

Navigate between stories
Previous story
Next story
Pfeiffer University

Contact Us
800-338-2060

P.O. Box 960
Misenheimer, NC 28109-0960

Campus Locations

  • Misenheimer
  • Charlotte
  • Albemarle
  • Online
  • Campus Map

Helpful Links

  • How To Apply
  • Visit
  • Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Pfeiffer Library
  • Title IX
  • Employment
  • Resources
  • COVID-19
  • Policies
  • State Authorization
  • Accreditation
  • Mission Statement
  • Campus Store
  • myPfeiffer
  • IT Support
© Copyright 2025 Pfeiffer University. All Rights Reserved.
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • flickr
  • Apply
  • Visit
  • Request Info
  • Give to Pfeiffer >
    • Give Now
    • Current Initiatives
    • Ways to Give
    • Devoted & True
    • Planned Giving
    • Office of Advancement
  • About Pfeiffer
    • Why Pfeiffer
    • Mission Statement
    • President’s Office
    • Campus Convenience
    • Pfeiffer Legacy
  • Academics
    • Undergraduate Programs
    • Graduate Programs
    • Academic Departments
    • Academic Centers
    • Pfeiffer Library
  • Admissions & Aid
    • Undergraduate Admissions
    • Graduate Admissions
    • Tuition and Fees
    • Financial Aid
    • Scholarships
  • Career Success
    • Career Services
    • Explore Your Future
    • Career Coaching and Internships
    • For Employers
  • Student Life
    • Pfeiffer Journey
    • Pfeiffer Life
    • Pfeiffer Traditions
    • Campus Life
    • Religious Life
    • Center for Health Sciences
    • Graduate Campus
  • News
  • Events
  • Athletics
  • For You >
    • Current Students
    • Parents
    • Alumni
    • Faculty & Staff