University, FAS Development Offices Reorganize

University; FAS development offices reorganized

A number of management realignments will take place within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Development Office and the University Development Office, according to announcements made today by Jeremy R. Knowles, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, and Thomas M. Reardon, Vice President-designate for Alumni Affairs and Development.

The shifts in responsibilities are triggered by the previously announced decision by Fred L. Glimp '50, PhD '54, to adopt a somewhat reduced workload, beginning at the end of this academic year. As a result, Glimp will step down, and Reardon will step in, as the University's Vice President for Alumni Affairs and Development. Glimp will remain in a senior consulting role as a Special Assistant to the President for Development, maintaining a substantial portfolio of fundraising activities, while Reardon will assume full operational responsibilities for the ongoing campaign.

Effective July 1, Susan K. Feagin will become Director of University Development -- replacing Reardon -- and Roger Cheever '67 will succeed Feagin as Associate Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences for Development.

Dean Knowles makes new appointments

In announcing the new appointments, Knowles said: "Susan Feagin has been a splendid leader of the fundraising programs of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and an effective link between the faculty and our academic programs, and the campaign. She has an extraordinary staff working with her, and I have great confidence in them. With Roger Cheever's leadership and focus on external relations, and with the strong oversight of Harvard College Fund Executive Director Dick Boardman and Major Gifts Director Tamara Rogers, we have a superb group in place."

In her new role as Director of University Development, Feagin will oversee operations of both the University Development and the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Development Offices. She is a 16-year veteran of Harvard development, and has served twice in fundraising capacities at her alma mater, Columbia University. Since 1990, she has been the first Associate Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences for Development, overseeing the FAS campaign to raise $965 million.

Newly appointed Associate Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences for Development Roger Cheever has most recently served as a Deputy Director of the Harvard College Fund and of Major Gifts.

He has extensive experience as a key class volunteer and has been a member of the FAS professional fundraising staff since 1993. As participation chair for the Class of 1967, Cheever won the Harvard College Fund's Hamlen Award for his 25th reunion accomplishments in 1992.

Cheever's top priority in his new post will be to work directly with alumni, friends, and volunteers to complete the FAS campaign successfully.

Serving all Faculties and units a UDO priority

Adjustments are also being made to strengthen the University Development Office's role in raising funds for University priorities and in assisting the various Faculties.

"These changes are designed to augment what I believe is already one of the best development teams in the country," said Reardon. "The University Development Office will now be even better equipped to serve all of Harvard's Faculties and affiliated institutions."

Reardon emphasized that all of the appointments made today have been drawn from the existing staff. "Over the years, we have retained top-notch development professionals. In many cases, these individuals -- working in the Schools' development offices and the UDO -- have served Harvard for a decade or more."

"Such longevity is very unusual in this profession, and yet the retention of talented staff over long periods is enormously valuable to Harvard in what is essentially a relationship business," Reardon continued. "The staff are Harvard's ambassadors to its alumni and friends. The relationships they build, which take years to develop, act as vital lines of communication between the University and its benefactors."

Under Feagin's leadership, the University Development Office will seek to raise funds for University priorities while at the same time assisting the Schools with their own objectives within The University Campaign.

To achieve this objective, the new position of Director of Leadership Gifts has been created. As the position's first incumbent, James J. Husson will coordinate and manage the fundraising for University-wide objectives, which include the University Fund and the Interfaculty Initiatives. Husson most recently served as a member of the FAS major gifts staff, and was formerly Director of The Annual Fund at the Graduate School of Design.

At the same time, the University Development Office will continue to expand its provision of services to the Schools and Faculties through the appointment of Carolyn A. Pelzel as Director of External Relations. Pelzel will continue to oversee the Harvard Partners program and to work closely with Provost Albert Carnesale, but will expand her role, taking on responsibility for international fundraising, the Office of University Planned Giving, Development Research, and managing the University Councils that will grow out the campaign's regional outreach program.

As the University begins to look beyond the campaign, a major challenge will be to maintain strong, productive relationships with its donors. Toward that end, Pelzel has also agreed to manage donor relations efforts, which encompasses the Communications, Events, Stewardship, and Presidential Acknowledgments offices. In this role, she has been charged with developing a comprehensive plan to strengthen and expand Harvard's stewardship university-wide.

Pelzel has served Harvard in key management positions for more than 10 years. She established the Development Computer Services office and helped lay the foundation for its extraordinary success. In creating the Harvard Partners program, Pelzel broke new ground in development, operating the first systematic effort specifically designed to involve non-alumni.