Distributed January 14, 2002
For Immediate Release
News Service Contact: Mark Nickel



Senior VP for University Advancement

Brown unites offices of development, alumni, international advancement

Brown University will bring its development, alumni relations and international outreach efforts together under the direction of a senior vice president for University advancement. A national search is under way for this newly created position.

PROVIDENCE — Following an intensive review and analysis by an external consulting firm, Brown University President Ruth J. Simmons has announced a reorganization of the University’s fund-raising and alumni relations efforts under a new senior vice president for University advancement.

A national search for Brown’s new advancement executive will begin immediately, led by Richard Spies, executive vice president for planning.

The University’s advancement effort is currently organized in three separate offices: development, led by Jim Husson; alumni relations, led by Lisa Raiola; and international advancement and volunteer engagement, led by Ron Margolin. The new organization will bring all three together under the direction of a senior vice president for University advancement. The advancement staff will maintain a close collaboration with the Office of Public Affairs and University Relations, led by Laura Freid.

“The enthusiasm and loyalty of our alumni and friends is a distinctive feature of life at Brown and has been a great source of encouragement during my first semester as president,” Simmons said. “I am deeply grateful to our advancement staff and alumni volunteers for their efforts and leadership in creating and sustaining a supportive environment for this great University.”

The internal review and analysis were undertaken during October and November at President Simmons’ direction, and Simmons shared results of the review with several members of the Corporation in December. The consultants believe Brown has a unique opportunity to achieve transformational change through its emerging plan for academic renewal. Brown’s agenda for renewal, the consultants said, will require a higher level of readiness and coordination in all areas of advancement. The report strongly recommended bringing the University’s fund-raising and alumni relations efforts into a single, focused organization.

“We are undertaking a multiyear plan to achieve our highest ambitions,” Simmons said. “Our strategies for growth and academic renewal will succeed, but we must have a clear and compelling advancement strategy and a well integrated effort for philanthropic support and alumni engagement. In my judgment, the changes we are announcing now are essential first steps.”

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