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UMass Lowell is supporting its primary fundraising and alumni relations arm, University Advancement, to encourage private giving as a way of keeping quality public education accessible to students. Two new positions, plus the filling of long-vacant ones, represents the first step in bringing the department closer to staffing levels at comparable institutions, says Beth Shorr, vice chancellor for University Advancement.
“This University has the opportunity to significantly increase the level of sustainable private giving by building a culture of philanthropy and support of student and alumni services,” says Shorr, who joined the University in January. “The first step is to address long-neglected staffing issues so that we have the structure needed to take advantage of this opportunity.”
John Davis, formerly executive director of University Advancement, returns to fill a new major-gifts position, executive director of principal programs, in anticipation of a potential 2011 capital campaign. In 2009, Davis left UMass Lowell after 11 years to serve as executive director of Development at the University of Hartford in Connecticut, which was in the middle of a $150 million capital campaign.
Deme Gys, who served as associate director of Alumni Relations since 2000, is now a major-gifts officer. Gys is the liaison with the College of Arts and Sciences, Division of Science, as well as the Graduate School of Education.
Heather Makrez ’06, ’08, the new associate director of Alumni Relations, is leading efforts to connect with recent alumni. Makrez served on the University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees as a student and also worked in the UMass President’s Office. She comes from UMass Dartmouth, where she was director of International Programs.
Caitlin O’Brien moves from major-gifts officer to corporate and foundations relations officer. She joined the University three years ago from her position as interim director of Corporate and Foundation Relations at the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston.
Two new faces have also joined the staff. Stewardship Officer Kathleen Mulvihill comes from a similar position at the UMass Medical Center Foundation. In this new position, Mulvihill will work with major-gifts officers to build relationships with donors through a formal acknowledgement and recognition program.
Also joining the University is Rachele Huelsman, who began as director of annual giving in January. Huelsman previously worked at Massachusetts General Hospital’s Institute of Health Professionals as manager of alumni relations and annual giving, and the National Coalition for the Homeless as director of development.