By TYLER ELLYSON
UNK Communications
KEARNEY – Tim Burkink can summarize his 25-year career at the University of Nebraska at Kearney in a few simple words.
It was a dream job.
“I’ve really been blessed by UNK,” he said. “I had opportunities here that I never would have expected as a kid from small-town Nebraska and a first-generation college graduate.”
From his start as an assistant marketing professor in 2001 to leadership roles as dean of the College of Business and Technology and assistant vice chancellor for international affairs, Burkink built a career defined by opportunity, growth and a steadfast commitment to student success.
As he prepares to retire, he leaves behind a legacy grounded in experiential learning, global engagement and a deep appreciation for the university that became home for his entire family.
Finding His Calling
Burkink’s winding path to UNK began about three hours away from campus, in a Dodge County community with fewer than 1,000 residents.
He was raised in Scribner, where his father owned and operated Lee’s Market for decades.
“I learned a lot growing up working for my dad,” Burkink said. “He never went to college. He never took a business course. But he taught me how to work hard and the value of customer service.”
After high school, Burkink left his hometown to pursue a business degree at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, which led to a job as a buyer for a wholesale food distributor.
His interest in teaching didn’t emerge until a few years later, when a chance opportunity at Seward County Community College in Kansas changed his trajectory.
“I’ve told almost every student I’ve had over the years that you never know who’s going to change your life,” he explained. “For me, it was the chairperson of the business department at this community college.”
Burkink was still working in the wholesale distribution industry when he met with Doralia Reynolds to discuss potential pathways into higher education. Instead of giving him advice for the future, she offered Burkink an immediate opportunity to teach a Monday evening economics course as an adjunct instructor.
He accepted and quickly realized he had discovered his true calling.
“I knew that’s where I wanted to go with my career,” Burkink said.
That experience prompted a return to UNL, where he earned his master’s degree and later his doctorate in marketing, blending academic preparation with nearly a decade of industry experience that would shape his teaching philosophy.
Focusing on Students
After stops at Chadron State College and Arizona State University, Burkink found the ideal landing spot at UNK.
His wife Laura is originally from Louisville in eastern Nebraska, so the couple were happy to come back to their home state. He was also looking for a school large enough to value scholarly research but small enough to maintain a strong emphasis on teaching and student support.
“UNK ticked all of those boxes for me and my wife as we brought our young family back to Nebraska,” Burkink said. “And we’ve never regretted it. This campus and this community have been a great fit. I think Kearney offers a very high quality of life, and a lot of that is driven by the impact of UNK.”
Those ties expanded over time. Laura earned her master’s degree from UNK, and all three of their children – along with two sons-in-law – are also Loper alumni.
“This university has made a big impact on our family,” Burkink said.
That same sense of connection carried into his work on campus, where Burkink focused on creating meaningful, hands-on learning experiences that prepare students for success beyond the classroom. Instead of just listening to lectures and taking tests, he wanted students to engage in internships, client-based projects and other real-world activities designed to apply their skills in practical settings.
In fewer words: “We learn best by doing.”
One example is the annual study abroad course he led in the Czech Republic through UNK’s long-standing partnership with Palacky University. The weeklong trip allowed students to immerse themselves in an international environment while collaborating with actual businesses and organizations located there to develop marketing plans.
During his 11 years as dean, Burkink helped formalize experiential learning across the College of Business and Technology. This model later spread beyond the college, becoming a defining element of the broader UNK experience and reinforcing the university’s focus on student outcomes and career readiness.
“I’m very proud that as a college we set the stage for things that continue to impact students,” Burkink said.
Leading the Team
The College of Business and Technology also created its Career Center and started the Brewed Awakening student-run coffee shop during Burkink’s time as dean – both key components of the emphasis on experiential learning.
Other accomplishments include launching the supply chain management and cybersecurity programs, earning AACSB accreditation for business programs and replacing the aging Otto C. Olsen building with Discovery Hall, a state-of-the-art STEM facility that opened in fall 2020.
Burkink is quick to note that those achievements were the result of a collaborative effort involving faculty, staff and students across the college.
“I’m very grateful for the opportunity to be part of a team that accomplished so much to help move our college forward,” he said.
During his final two years as dean, Burkink also served as interim director of the Office of International Education. He transitioned to a full-time position in that office in fall 2019 and took on the title of assistant vice chancellor for international affairs.
In that role, he focused on expanding study abroad opportunities and supporting international students at UNK. Although he didn’t travel outside the United States until he was nearly 30, those experiences broadened his worldview.
“I’ve been so blessed to have been able to travel all over the world for my positions,” he said. “It changed my life in so many ways – broadening perspectives, appreciating other cultures, knowing that the way we do things here isn’t always the best way.”
He also noted the importance of bringing international students to UNK.
“I think we give international students a wonderful experience, and they really enrich the environment here,” Burkink said. “It’s great for all of us to have those opportunities to engage with people from all over the world.”
Writing a New Chapter
After stepping away from full-time administration, Burkink spent his final years back in the classroom, a fitting conclusion to a career centered on students.
“To this day, I still enjoy helping students see how concepts and theories work in industry and in practice,” the marketing professor said. “That’s maybe the most impactful thing for me as an educator.”
Burkink knows he’ll miss those interactions with students and the conversations with colleagues on campus, but it’s the right time to say goodbye. Laura, a longtime English teacher at Kearney Catholic, is also retiring after the academic year.
“It was not an easy decision because it’s a great job,” Burkink said. “But the value of time, if you have the energy and health to fully enjoy it, is a great privilege.”
He and his wife plan to travel across the country in their RV, spend more time with their children and grandchildren and explore new interests, including becoming a certified Nebraska Master Naturalist so he can promote the state’s unique ecosystems.
It’s been 25 years since he found his dream job, and a lot has changed since then, but Burkink can leave knowing the most important things remain the same. UNK is still that student-focused school he fell in love with.
“While everything about higher education continues to change at a rapid pace, I’m glad to see we’ve maintained our values,” he said.
