September 4, 2002
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Robert L. Early has been named executive associate vice chancellor for the Department of Development and Alumni Relations at Vanderbilt University.
Early’s appointment is part of a reorganization of the University’s fund-raising and alumni relations functions announced by Nicholas Zeppos, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs.
As of Aug. 12 Early assumed responsibility for leadership and management of all aspects of fund-raising and alumni relations. Formerly associate vice chancellor for principal gifts, Early joined Vanderbilt’s alumni and development department in 1983 as assistant dean for alumni and development at the Divinity School. In 1988 he was promoted to associate director of University development, in which he supervised several school development programs. He was a member of the management team that planned and executed The Campaign for Vanderbilt from 1989 to 1995 and raised $560 million.
“Because of Robert’s outstanding leadership, love of Vanderbilt and the respect he enjoys both in and out of Vanderbilt, he is the best person to guide our fund-raising and alumni outreach efforts,” Zeppos said. “This new organization builds on the strength of the department and the work ethic and commitment to Vanderbilt of the individuals who work in this important area.”
In his new position, Early reports directly to Zeppos and oversees a management team that includes Robert Lyon, associate vice chancellor for university development, and Robert Feldman, associate vice chancellor for medical center development.
Others named as associate vice chancellors and their areas of responsibility include:
· Randy Smith, principal gifts, regional development, planned giving, parents campaign
· Elizabeth Rapisarda, corporate and foundation relations, donor research, donor relations, gift records, database management, alumni communications and publications
· Jen Howe, international initiatives, special events, transinstitutional priorities and development for the Vanderbilt Institute for Public Policy Studies
· Christy Passmore, campaign operations.
Still to be named is an associate vice chancellor for alumni relations.
Contact: Elizabeth Latt, 615-322-NEWS, elizbath.p.latt@vanderbilt.edu