Winona State University will host campus interviews for three finalists for the position of Vice President for University Advancement.
The Vice President for University Advancement plans, coordinates, manages and implements all fundraising efforts for Winona State University and the Winona State University Foundation. The VPUA supervises three WSU divisions—Alumni Relations, Development, and Marketing & Communications—and is responsible for outreach and networking with business, charitable and community leaders.
The Vice President serves as Executive Director for the Winona State University Foundation and is the principal liaison between the Foundation Board of Trustees and the University. At the end of fiscal year 2015, WSU Foundation assets were nearly $45 million. The Foundation awarded almost $1.25 million in scholarships to more than 1,000 students and provided another $1.25 million to support the programs, equipment, student housing and other needs.
Biographical information on the finalists is included below:
Nancy M. Brown is currently a Consultant/Vice President for Thompson & Associates, Nashville, Tenn., a charitable estate planning firm (2012-present). Prior to this appointment, Brown held the position of Executive Director of Development at Winona Health (2003-2012). Previously Brown served as Director of Development at Winona State University (2000-2003) and held the following positions at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay: Interim Co-Director of University Advancement (2000), Coordinator of Major Gifts (1999-2000), and Coordinator of Annual Giving (1997-1999). Prior to her appointments in Green Bay, Brown served as the Director of Annual and Planned Giving (1995-1997) at Marian College, Fond du Lac, Wis. Brown received her Bachelor of Arts (Journalism/Public Relations Emphasis) from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her Master of Science in Administration from the University Of Notre Dame.
Ron D. Dempsey served as the Vice President for Advancement and University Development at Southern Polytech State University, Marietta, Ga., from 2005-2015. Prior to this appointment, Dempsey was the Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Shorter University, Rome, Ga., from 2001-2004. While at Presbyterian College (1993-2001), Dempsey held the positions of Director of Foundation/Corporate Relations (1999-2001) and Associate Dean of Academic Affairs (1999-2001). Additionally, Dempsey served as the Associate Provost for Academic Services at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Ky., from 1991-1993 and Director of Institutional Research at Jefferson Community College, Louisville, Ky., from 1989-1991. During his career he has held faculty appointments at various institutions in Georgia: Southern Polytechnic State University, Georgia Highlands College, Shorter University, Presbyterian College, and Southern Theological Seminary. Dempsey received his Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) from Wake Forest University, N.C.; his Master of Arts (Sociology) from the University of Louisville, Ky; his Master of Science (History and Sociology of Science and Technology) from the Georgia Institute of Technology; his Doctorate of Philosophy (Sociology of Religion) from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Ky; and will complete his Doctorate of Philosophy (Sociology of Science and Technology) from Georgia Institute of Technology in 2016.
Michael D. Russell has been employed by Federated Insurance Companies (Owatonna, Minn.) since 1984. Russell is currently responsible for industry relations for nine western states. Previous positions he has held within Federated Insurance include Marketing Representative, District Marketing Manager, Field Manager, National Account Executive and Senior Account Executive. Additionally Russell currently serves as the President of Russell Farms LLC (1992-Present), a real estate investment and management firm. Since 2004, Russell has held several positions (Treasurer, Vice Chair and Chair) with the Winona State University Foundation. Russell received his Bachelor of Science degree (Public Administration) from Winona State University.
Russell is scheduled to visit campus Dec. 9, Dempsey on Dec. 14, and Brown on Dec. 15.
For more information, call the WSU Office of Marketing and Communications at 507-457-5024.
