SU President, Vice President Speak at AASCU Conference

SALISBURY, MD---Two Salisbury University leaders recently presented at the American Association of State Colleges and Universities’ annual meeting in Charleston, S.C. Dr. Janet Dudley-Eshbach, president, and Dr. Rosemary M. Thomas, vice president of university advancement and executive director of the SU Foundation, Inc., shared expertise on “Seeking Resources for Stewardship.”

Some 400 people from 200 institutions attended the event, said Susan Chilcott, AASCU Vice President for Communications.

“These challenging economic times for state colleges and universities necessitate a renewed commitment to strengthening the engagement of alumni and friends as donors,” she added. “Their session offered results-oriented advice and conveyed the message that effective cultivation leads to success."

Together, the two SU administrators discussed mission-centric fundraising as well as the current climate for fundraising in light of state budget cuts and tuition caps.  Exploring the role of “chief” development officers, they emphasized how presidents are responsible for telling campus stories, outlining visions and asking people to invest in the future. After sharing examples of interacting with prospects and donors, they answered questions from attendees.

Dudley-Eshbach recently celebrated 10 years as President of SU, marking a decade of unprecedented campus growth and development. By building relationships and fostering public-private partnerships, she brought two current construction projects to fruition: the new $54 million home for the Franklin P. Perdue School of Business and the $45 million Sea Gull Square residence-retail complex. Both open in fall 2011.

Thomas, who has worked in higher education development for more than two decades, established SU’s current $35 million “Taking Excellence to New Heights” campaign, which includes monies for scholarships and the Perdue School building. She also oversees the SU Foundation, with assets of some $44 million.  Under her leadership, SU was one of 30 institutions nationwide to receive the CASE-WealthEngine Award for Overall Improvement of superior fundraising programs.

A three-year member of the AASCU board of directors, Dudley-Eshbach serves on its International Education Committee, which also met during the conference.  Thomas recently spoke at the Center for Nonprofit Success’ D.C. Fundraising Summit on capital campaigns and the important role of volunteers.

For more information call 410-543-6030 or visit the SU Web site at www.salisbury.edu.