With the departure to Ohio State of Jerry A. May, associate vice president for development, a number of personnel changes have been made in the development office as the University prepares to launch its new major fund-raising effort.
Four present development staff members have assumed new responsibilities and two other persons have joined the development office, according to Joe Roberson, executive director of the Campaign for Michigan.
The Campaign, to be formally launched Sept. 18, is the largest fund-raising effort ever undertaken by a public university.
Among the new staff members is Anne Duderstadt, wife of President James J. Duderstadt, who has accepted a position as an institutional advancement offficer, but has declined any compensation for the job.
The half-time position originally was offered with a salary of $35,000, but in her letter accepting the position, Anne Duderstadt said: “In the spirit of shared sacrifice through which the University is facing its present financial situation, I wish to decline receiving any compensation—salary or benefits—for this assignment. Rather, I will contribute my time, effort and energy to the University because of the great importance of this Campaign for the University’s future.” Also joining the staff will be Kathy A. Okun, formerly development officer at the School of Nursing. Okun will become associate director of trusts and bequests, and will work with director Kenneth C. Eckerd to bolster the University’s program in these areas of growing interest in estate planning.
In her role as institutional advancement officer, Anne Duderstadt will assist in the planning, organization and direction of a number of University events, including Campaign and fund-raising events, donor and alumni relations, and University promotional activities. She will manage facilities used in fund-raising, including the President’s House, Inglis House, and entertainment areas within Michigan Stadium. She will be responsible for administering budget and staffing necessary for support of these facilities, which are expected to have heavy use during the course of the Campaign.
“We are fortunate to be adding people with the experience of Kathy Okun and Anne Duderstadt,” Roberson said in making the announcement. “Both of them know the University very well, and are familiar with its people and its programs. We’re really going to be able to hit the ground running.
“We are especially grateful to Anne for her willingness to take on this assignment in addition to her responsibilities as the president’s wife,” Roberson added.
Four current development officers have taken on new responsibilities in the campaign effort, Roberson said. Roy Muir, associate vice president for development and associate director of the Campaign, will assume key responsibility for individual giving, especially gifts by the University’s principal donors. Assisting him in this new role will be three other officials: Joanna Brode and Chacona Johnson, both of whom will become senior associate directors of development, and Mallory Simpson, who becomes director of corporate and foundation relations.
“In making these assignments we are capitalizing on the strengths of an exceptional fund-raising team,” Roberson said. “Under Roy’s direction, we will be giving each of these senior officers major new responsibilities while allowing them to maintain their close relationships with many of our key donors in the Detroit and Chicago areas.”
Brode and Johnson will lead the University’s efforts with individual donors, while Simpson will concentrate on enhancing the University’s relationships with corporations and foundations.
May has joined Ohio State University as vice president for development and president of the University Foundation.
May has been director of the
U-M’s Major Gifts Program, designed to secure gifts of $2.5 million and above, and was responsible for the Nucleus Fund of the Campaign, focusing on gifts of $1 million and above.
Jon Cosovich, vice president for development, said Ohio State “has made an exceptional selection. Jerry is more than qualified for the job. He is one of the most outstanding development officers in the country.
“He will bring to Ohio State University a wealth of experience and understanding in the field of private support for higher education.”
Roberson said May “will be sorely missed, especially in light of the Campaign. He represents a degree of institutional knowledge about our donors that we can’t replicate without using the heads of seven people.
“He has great integrity, is hard working and has keenly honed professional skills. He’s been enjoyable to work with.”
He is married to Deborah Orr May, who has been with the Office of Career Planning and Placement since 1976 and its director since 1982. She will join Jerry Nov. 1 in Columbus when she will either pursue a doctoral program or a position in a corporation or higher education.
