Faculty member to boost
fund raising
By Lynde Smith
Staff
Writer
Fund raising plays a huge role in Purdue University,
from buildings to computer labs to scholarships, and the new associate
vice president for development will continue to help make that happen.
Carolyn Gery, who's been employed by Purdue for
30 years, was recently appointed to associate vice president for development
as part of the reorganization of the fund-raising effort by Murray Blackwelder,
senior vice president for advancement.
Gery will have management responsibilities for
the President's Council, annual giving, the Telefund, class gifts, development
research and foundation relations.
Gery is a graduate of Purdue and in 1972, three
years after she graduated, she became the University's first full-time
development officer, according to a press release.
Gery founded the Purdue President's Council and
later became executive director of it.
"There is a joy in working in a place like this,"
said Gery. "It is very meaningful and satisfying work."
Blackwelder said that he is very impressed with
Gery's abilities and said she does a wonderful job.
"We are excited to have someone with that amount
of experience on our staff," said Blackwelder.
Gery said she's been working with fund raising
since she began working for Purdue. She actually created many of the
areas she's in charge of now, including the annual fund, the President's
Council, the Telefund and the Parent's Fund.
"Fund raising is very important to you," said Gery.
"Private fund raising will make a big difference in Purdue in the next
few years."
Gery said one example of where fund raising plays
a role is computer labs. Many of the labs are made possible through
private donations from those who feel Purdue is a great investment for
their money.
The reorganization of Purdue's fund-raising efforts
center around making them the best they can be, said Gery.
While an undergraduate at Purdue, Gery majored
in elementary education. She was active with international programs,
church and many other organizations.
After she graduated, Gery went to teach at a school,
and she later became the director of marketing for a company in Atlanta.
She did all this before beginning her career at Purdue.
Gery enjoys what she does now and said she loves
working in a college community.
According to the news release, Purdue fund raising
will get another boost. The release said Blackwelder will soon select
three senior directors of fund raising. These people, and all other
fund-raisers on Purdue's West Lafayette and three regional campuses,
will report to Blackwelder.
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