Dr. Ronald G. Area

Senior Vice President for Development and Chief Executive Officer for the Marshall University Foundation

Dr. Ron Area has been in higher education since receiving his doctorate of education from Oklahoma State University in 1978. Upon graduation from OSU, Dr. Area accepted the position of Assistant Dean of Continuing Education at UT Chattanooga. He was later named Dean.  In 1981 Dr. Area was named Vice Chancellor of Development.  During his last three years at UT Chattanooga, Dr. Area was named Executive Vice Chancellor and Vice Chancellor of Development.  While at UT Chattanooga, he completed the Summer Institute of Educational Management at Harvard University.

During his nearly 15 years at UT Chattanooga, Dr. Area gained experience and had oversight in the areas of credit and non-credit programs, evening college, public radio station, legislative relations, marketing, public relations, athletics, alumni affairs and development.  From 1992 to 2004, Dr. Area was President and CEO of Oklahoma State University Foundation. He was responsible for providing leadership, coordination and management for all private fund raising programs for the Oklahoma State University System.  Dr. Area and his administrative team designed, implemented and completed the University’s first comprehensive campaign raising in excess of $260 million.  He also provided leadership and senior management of two-for-profit subsidiaries, two limited liability corporations and the OSU Foundation Holding Company.  Before joining the Marshall University family, Dr. Area provided fundraising and administrative expertise for the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, in Oklahoma City.

Since July, 2007, Dr. Area is Senior Vice President for Development and Chief Executive Officer for the Marshall University Foundation.  Providing leadership for the advancement arm of the University, Dr. Area leads by example with enthusiastic optimism.  Honesty and integrity are the cornerstones of his leadership style.  He and his wife, Beth,  have two married daughters and one grandson.

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