ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, January 24, 1997 TAG: 9701240079
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: RADFORD
SOURCE: ALLISON BLAKE STAFF WRITER
Six months after the departure of Radford University's chief financial officer, the university has announced his replacement.
David A. Burdette arrives Feb. 17 from his post at the State University of New York at Fredonia, a 4,600-student school near Lake Erie. He has been vice president for administration there since 1990.
Burdette's predecessor, Charles King, departed July 1 for James Madison University. Mary Lou Merkt, King's assistant - and briefly his acting successor - took a similar post at Sweetbriar College in December.
Burdette will oversee a budget of $82.9 million at 8,200-student Radford, and draw on his six years in a similar job managing budget development, human resources, the school's physical plant and auxiliary services - which include university-run businesses such as the campus bookstore.
Radford President Douglas Covington praised Burdette's appointment, which is contingent on approval of the university board of visitors.
"I feel confident that he will make a significant contribution to our university's continuing progress," Covington said in a statement.
Burdette, who could not be reached for comment Wednesday in New York, returned the compliment in a news release:
"I'm excited about the opportunity to join President Covington's team, given Radford University's rich tradition of academic excellence."
Burdette holds a bachelor's degree from the University of South Florida and a master of business administration from SUNY Buffalo. Before coming to Fredonia, he served as deputy to the chancellor for planning and budget with the SUNY system.
His arrival adds another new face to Covington's top administrators. Director of Admissions David Kraus and Vice President for Academics Ann Ferren both arrived last summer; Covington himself came to Radford in 1995.
LENGTH: Short : 43 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshot) Burdetteby CNB