Radford University names Lowery Vice President for University Advancement

Wendy Lowery
Wendy Lowery

Dear Students, Faculty, Staff and Alumni:

Beginning in late February, the Vice President for University Advancement Search Committee commenced work to fill a senior leadership position that will be critically important as we move forward toward making many of our forthcoming strategic plan recommendations and initiatives a reality. As a result of the Search Committee's strong collaboration and diligent efforts, and the valuable input from throughout the Radford family during candidate campus visits, I am pleased to announce the selection of Wendy Lowery as Radford University's next vice president for University Advancement.

Wendy brings to Radford University more than 15 years of extensive and diverse experiences, with leadership and proven results in higher education fundraising and alumni relations. For the past six years she has served as vice chancellor for Institutional Advancement at University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNCP) and executive director of the UNCP Foundation, Inc. Her accomplishments have included: increasing the overall endowment, increasing comprehensive fundraising efforts and corporate support and launching the university's first comprehensive five-year capital campaign.

Her previous advancement positions include interim vice chancellor and associate vice chancellor for the Division of Institutional Advancement and director of Development at Fayetteville State University; corporate relations director for the Sandhills region of the American Heart Association in Fayetteville, N.C.; and director of annual fund and parent programs at Methodist University, Fayetteville, N.C.

She earned a B.A. in political science from UNCP in 1999 and a M.P.A. from UNCP in 2007.

Several members of the Search Committee shared with me their thoughts regarding the selection, including:

  • Professor of Management Steve Childers: "Word about the positive energy at Radford University must be spreading, as we had an impressive candidate pool. Several of the candidates spoke to their desire to join the RU community because of the great things they are hearing. I met impressive professionals with great ideas. However, for me, Ms. Lowery best understood the deep, personal relationship formed between Radford University and its students and alumni. Further, she has demonstrated the ability to build and lead a successful advancement team. Simply put, Ms. Lowery is a great fit for Radford University as we continue to innovate and grow the RU higher education experience."
  • Dean of the College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences Kate Hawkins: "I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with such an experienced and successful advancement professional as Wendy Lowery. She has a compelling vision to inspire faculty, staff, alumni and friends in support of the mission of the institution. I am confident Wendy will provide transformational leadership to advancement and alumni engagement at Radford University."

I also received positive feedback from the members of the Leadership Council who were able to attend some of the campus forums at which Wendy spoke, including:

  • Dean of the College of Education and Human Development Kenna Colley: "I am excited about the experiences and expertise that Wendy Lowery brings with her to Radford University. Besides her work in advancement leadership at several different universities, I was also impressed by her background in working at a non-profit as well as her commitment to serving on community boards. This demonstrates a well-rounded individual. Ms. Lowery's answer to 'why Radford?' was very genuine. She expressed excitement about who we are as a campus community along with being drawn to the energy and excitement that currently exists on our campus. She sees so much possibility in being able to share our mission and our stories with others."
  • Dean of the Waldron College of Health and Human Services Ken Cox added: "Ms. Lowery has considerable expertise and experience at all levels of advancement, fund raising, cultivation and stewardship. I look forward to working with her, and having her be part of the RU family."

Please join me in taking the opportunity to thank all of the members of the Search Committee. The Search Committee, chaired by Vice President Joe Carpenter, was comprised of a diverse group of student, alumni, donor, faculty, staff, administrative and community representatives. They were diligent in facilitating campus input and subsequently identifying candidates with a balance of successful leadership and fundraising experience, which will be essential to our future advancement and alumni relations strategies and activities. To each member of the Search Committee, again, thank you for your contribution in this process and service to our University.

Furthermore, please join me in welcoming Ms. Lowery to the Radford family. She will begin her new role on August 1, 2017, and I look forward to her numerous contributions to the University's senior leadership team and the University Advancement office, as together we embrace Radford's tradition and envision our future.

With Highlander Pride,

Brian O. Hemphill

Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D.
President
@BrianOHemphill

Jun 14, 2017
Jeremy Norman
540-831-5491
jnorman9@radford.edu