FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, April 14, 2004
Contact: Dave Wellman, Director of Communications, (304) 696-7153
 

Kerkian named Executive Director of Marshall Foundation

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall University Foundation, Inc. President Jay White and Marshall President Dan Angel today announced two significant moves regarding the future of the MU Foundation.

First, Glen R. Kerkian, a veteran development leader at Ohio University the past 18 years, has been named Executive Director of the Marshall University Foundation, Inc., effective June 1.

Second, by virtue of a new relationship between the Foundation and the university, Kerkian also will serve as Marshall’s Senior Vice President for Development. The Foundation not only will manage financial gifts to the university, but also will be responsible for helping to secure new funds. The Foundation thus assumes responsibility for Marshall’s Campaign for National Prominence.

Kerkian has been Assistant Vice President for Development and Campaign Manager at Ohio since 1998. 

“We are gaining an experienced and successful person of high caliber,” Angel said. “I’m extremely pleased. Glen will be a major, positive addition to the Foundation, the university and the community.”

The Foundation is a nonprofit, tax-exempt educational corporation that, before this new relationship, received, managed and administered gifts on behalf of Marshall University. Part of Kerkian’s role will be to head up the university’s Campaign for National Prominence, which has a goal of raising $100 million by December 2005. Thus far, more than $78 million has been raised since the Campaign began in 2001.

Under Kerkian’s leadership, the Foundation will adopt guidelines governing fundraising activities that conform with several objectives, including:

  • Managing and directing the day-to-day operation of the Development staff, and establishing annual productivity targets for fundraising as a basis for annual evaluations for university and Foundation staff;
  • Integrating the university’s fundraising expectations into weekly planning for the academic colleges, athletics and other related units;
  • Coordinating with the university’s communication and marketing efforts;
  • Oversight of the university’s alumni relations operation, via Vice President Lance West.

As Campaign Manager in Ohio’s Office of Development, Kerkian has played an integral role in the university’s Bicentennial Campaign, the largest fund-raising effort in the institution’s history. Targeted for completion later this year, the $200 million campaign will provide money for scholarships, endowed professorships, technological enhancements, innovative programs and capital improvements at Ohio.

“Glen Kerkian’s credentials are just what our search committee sought,” said Vince Manzi, former president of the Marshall Foundation and chair of the search committee. “He has an excellent background in higher education and thoroughly comprehends the direction that a university like Marshall is destined to go.”

Throughout the course of the Campaign, Kerkian’s duties as Assistant Vice President for Development and Campaign Manager at Ohio included:

  • Campaign planning for 33 development colleagues including production targets for four Directors of Development;
  • Recruitment and training of a 35-person volunteer campaign cabinet;
  • Formulating of strategies and measurement for attainment of $20-$40 million annually in charitable gifts;
  • Coordinating and staffing all leadership gift level visits for the President of the university and the Vice President for University Advancement.

“With our proximity to Huntington, I have observed and admired the intensity that the Marshall community has for its University,” Kerkian said. “I can’t wait to become a champion for all the positive things that are happening here. This move just feels right for me.

“I have been charmed by the good will of President Angel, the selfless dedication of  both the Board of Governors Chair Mike Perry and Foundation Board Chair Jay White, as well as Vince Manzi and other members of the search committee. Starting with this team is a great formula to build on the successes already achieved at Marshall.

“Educating adults is something we do better than anyone in the world. I am convinced that securing resources for higher education is of the utmost priority in this region and nationally. This is where I get my motivation and what keeps this work so fresh for me.”    

At Ohio, Kerkian also has been an adjunct instructor in the College of Health and Human Services since 1994. He previously has served as Director of Development for Major Gifts and College Programs, Assistant Dean for Development, College of Communication, and Assistant Director, Office of Alumni Relations.

“I’m very excited about the prospects of a united vision this individual’s going to bring to the job,” White said. “We like his enthusiasm and his passion for the job, and the fact that he’s been with his previous institution for 18 years exhibits dedication to an institution and to a cause.”

Kerkian and his wife, Susan, live in Athens, Ohio, where she teaches kindergarten at West Elementary. They are the parents of one grown daughter, Annie.

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