Arcadia University Names Mary McRae as Vice President for University Advancement

Will Lead University's Engagement With Business Leaders, Community and Alumni

GLENSIDE, Pa., Aug. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Arcadia University has announced Mary McRae as the new Vice President for University Advancement. She will lead Arcadia's business development, alumni and fundraising operations.

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"It will be wonderful to have someone with Mary's depth, breadth and energy with us," says Arcadia President Carl (Tobey) Oxholm III. "She has a passion for alumni and community engagement. She sees the richness offered by our University's unique global presence, and she knows from experience the value of strong, vibrant networks. She respects our tradition of innovation and is excited about our future as a global university."

Oxholm notes that as a result of McRae's ties to two very strong and dynamic universities in the region, she is well-connected to the region's corporate, professional and philanthropic communities. McRae made her mark in higher education fundraising at Villanova University and Rowan University, where she connected with countless alumni, parents, friends and business and community leaders. She worked with advisory boards from each discipline and managed many volunteer committees, including dean's advisory boards, parent's committees, and campaign committees. "I also worked very closely with the office of student life and career planning and placement, as the success of the student body has a direct correlation to the pride of its alumni," she says.

"It is a pleasure to welcome Mary as Vice President of Advancement," says Madeline Johnson Stein '68, Trustee and Chair of the Board of Trustees University Advancement Committee. "Mary is an experienced and expert fundraiser. In addition, she is deeply committed to higher education and the critical role it plays educating the next generation of global citizens and leaders. I am confident that Mary will develop a strong advancement team that strengthens the University through a laser-like focus on expanding and reinvigorating relations between Arcadia and its alumni and supporters."

"I am thrilled to join Arcadia University," says McRae. "The vision of President Oxholm and the University's Board of Trustees is exciting, innovative and cutting edge. As the University celebrates its great legacy and tradition, it looks forward to meeting the ever-changing demands on higher education and this ever-shrinking world. It is a wonderful time to become a part of such a vibrant community."

At Villanova University, McRae rose up the ranks of successful campaigns from annual giving to several capital campaigns. She led the development of strategic priorities for the Campaign for Villanova: Transforming Minds and Hearts, serving as the university's liaison with academic leaders. She also launched a parents' program and increased corporate and foundation giving.

After serving as Associate Vice President for Development at Villanova for 11 years, McRae became Vice President for University Advancement at Rowan University, where she redirected alumni activities to increase participation, restructured the fund-raising and donor stewardship operations, expanded the Rowan Foundation, and laid the groundwork for a comprehensive capital campaign.

Most recently, McRae has served as Chief Operating Officer of the Shore Medical Center Foundation in Somers Point, N.J., where she refocused the foundation's efforts toward major gifts and donor stewardship.

McRae, who resides in Narberth, Pa., earned a B.S. in Accounting from Villanova University.

About Arcadia University: Arcadia University is a top-ranked private university in metropolitan Philadelphia and a national leader in study abroad and international education. The 2011 Open Doors report ranks Arcadia University a top leader in the nation in undergraduate study abroad. U.S. News & World Report ranks Arcadia University among the top regional universities in the North and as one of the top study abroad programs. U.S. News also ranks Arcadia's Physical Therapy program among the top 15 in the nation. Arcadia's Physician Assistant students score in the elite 4^th percentile on national boards. Arcadia University promises a distinctively global, integrative and personal learning experience that prepares students to contribute and prosper in a diverse and dynamic world. (www.arcadia.edu)

SOURCE Arcadia University