New Advancement VP Announced
Kirk I. Swenson
Kirk I. Swenson Appointed Vice President for College Advancement
Kirk I. Swenson will join the college’s senior-leadership team as vice president for college advancement on July 1. Currently chief advancement officer at St. Mark’s School in Southborough, Mass., Swenson brings 20 years of advancement experience and fundraising success to Dickinson. He previously held development positions at Cornell University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Ithaca College and the University of Rochester.
During his tenure at St. Mark’s, annual new gifts and commitments increased from $2.6 million to $15 million. In addition, alumni annual fund participation increased from 26 percent to 32 percent. He led the school’s strategic plan, which focuses on initiatives in global citizenship, STEM education and the creation of a center for innovation in teaching and learning.
Swenson served as director of graduate alumni programs at MIT, where he led staff responsible for alumni activities and fundraising for more than 50,000 graduate-degree holders. He was comprehensive campaign director of Ithaca College’s $145 million campaign. As assistant vice president at the University of Rochester, he was part of a team that doubled gifts from $65 million to $130 million in three years.
“Kirk brings to Dickinson a proven fundraising track record, organizational abilities in recruiting and mentoring staff, and a commitment to Dickinson’s approach to a liberal-arts education,” said Provost and Dean of the College Neil B. Weissman. “Kirk impressed us with his balanced commitment to an active role in gift solicitation and to building a sustainable advancement organization.”
As a member of Dickinson’s senior leadership team, Swenson will be responsible for strategic leadership and oversight for all areas of advancement, including alumni and parent engagement, leadership giving, planned giving, annual giving, research and corporate, government and foundation support.
“It’s an exciting time at Dickinson with a strategic plan and capital campaign directly ahead,” said Swenson. “I look forward to working with the campus community, understanding the philanthropic interests of alumni and parents and leading Dickinson’s talented team of advancement professionals as we move the college forward in greater service to our students and the world.”
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Published April 28, 2016