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Randolph C. Burke

Biography

Randy Burke was in his forties and running his own construction company when he got his first computer in the mid-1990s. "I'd like to say that I knew from early on that I had artistic talent, and digital art would be my vocation, but the truth is I spent most of my life not knowing what I wanted to do when I grew up," he says. As the Internet phenomenon exploded, Randy found himself fascinated by the digital world and taught himself HTML and other software. He designed a few web sites for local businesses, but found that he lacked sufficient design and technical skills to make the most of his work.

With the support of his wife, Randy left the construction business and entered Suffolk County Community College (SCCC) in 2000. He excelled at art, computer, and design classes and achieved a perfect GPA. In June 2002, he graduated with honors from SCCC with an associate's degree in computer art. While in school, Randy also founded StartHampton.com, a business that created websites for local businesses, and spent many hours tutoring fellow students in computer and math classes. His artwork was displayed in the student art shows on SCCC's campus and most recently Randy was a finalist in the 2002 NYTimes.com Ad Innovation Awards Contest.

In the fall of 2002, Randy returned to Southampton College, where he had studied for a year in the early 1970s, to continue his pursuit of a bachelor's degree in graphic design.

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