Please join me in welcoming Jim Small to the University Relations Team!  Jim will join us on January 16, 2012 in the capacity of Sr. Director of Marketing and Communications, where he will be responsible for strategic leadership of communication and marketing to alumni/parents/friends.  Through close collaboration with all units of University Relations, these efforts will result in an integrated brand management strategy for the Alumni Association, Annual Giving Programs, Gift Planning, Corporate Foundation Relations, and Regional Development.  Jim will also lead efforts to support campaign communications and messaging, and ensure that fundraisers are equipped with effective messaging materials.

Since 2010, Jim has been serving as the AVP for Engagement at Western Michigan University, where he led all engagement, annual giving, and alumni relations efforts for the University.  His dynamic communications approach resulted in significant revenue and donor growth for the University.  Previously, Jim has served as the Co-founder/Chief Growth Officer for Story Worldwide, responsible for facilitating and leading the global client acquisition marketing initiatives for clients such as UPS, Bank of America, Unilever, Lexus, Johnson & Johnson, Chrysler, and Microsoft.  Jim also previously served as the SVP/Managing Director of The Publishing Agency, President of The Quarton Group, and Vice-President of Campbell Ewald.  Some of Jim’s accomplishments include dynamically launching/marketing the NBA Jam Session, NBA Inside Stuff and Ryder Cup branded print property.

Jim earned his Bachelor of Arts in Advertising from Ferris State and has received numerous awards including:  Gold Medal-Best Website Design for EndlessVacation.com 2007, Silver Medal-Strategy/Best New Launch or Re-Launch for EndlessVacation.com 2007, LACP Vision Award-Gold/Banks, 2007 and “5^th Man Award”-Detroit Catholic Central & Mercy High School’s Athletic Department, 2010. Jim and his wife, Susan, currently reside near Detroit, Michigan and have three children, including Jimmy (26 – ND Class of 2008), Kara (23 – St. Bonaventure Class of 2010), and Brady (19 – Niagara University Class of 2014).

With Jim’s arrival, we will officially bifurcate the organizational structure of Marketing / Communication and Stewardship within the Development Department.  I have asked Katherine Lane to devote 100% of her time to Stewardship Programs, serving as the Director and reporting directly to me. The stewardship team will continue to manage existing stewardship programs for financial aid, endowments for excellence, library collections and services, and endowed professorships and directorships. Partnering closely with fundraisers, Stewardship will continue to produce timely acknowledgments, deliver annual financial endowment reports, publically recognize benefactors through displays on campus, host exceptional recognition events, and create dynamic donor communications. In addition to existing programs, several new initiatives are being implemented: personalized stewardship plans for principal donors, cumulative giving for leadership donors, and a plan for “steward-only” donors.

Please join me in welcoming Jim to the team, and Katherine to this exciting new endeavor!

Best Regards,

Micki

Micki L. Kidder, Assistant Vice President for Development

Dear Colleagues:

With Teri Nicholas’ pending retirement (January 31), we are posting a revised 40 hour Office Services Coordinator position on the HR employment website.  Here is opportunity knocking to join the Stewardship team and help us take donor centered programs to the next level.

The position will be responsible for the personalized acknowledgment process for Fr. Jenkins and Lou Nanni, assist with endowment letters and reports, and assist with existing and new stewardship programs.  The ideal candidate will have excellent computer skills, terrific interpersonal communication and writing skills, and the ability to multi-task.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please speak to your supervisor, let me know, and complete the online application.

Happy Holidays,

Libby Schleiffarth,   Senior Associate Director of Stewardship

Phone: 574-631-8689

Our University Relations family extends our sincere condolences to Tim Sexton on the passing of his mother-in-law, Gail Hinkle. Arrangements are pending.

Please join me in offering Teresa O’Connor our thoughts, prayers and condolences on the passing of her father-in-law, Francis O’Connor. Francis passed away yesterday. He is survived by his wife, Rose Marie. His funeral will be handled by the Baker Funeral Home in Queensbury, NY. You may visit www.bakerfuneralhome.com to leave her a message. Teresa’s husband, Jim O’Connor, is employed by Follett which manages university bookstores. May God bless the O’Connor family during this difficult time and keep them in His tender care.

Thanks,

Craig Horvath