Restructuring for Improved Fundraising and Marketing

Shea McGrew, Vice President for Advancement

Preparing to enhance its fundraising capability and marketing efforts, Michigan Tech recently announced a restructuring that resulted in the creation of a new division called Advancement. Vice president for advancement is Shea McGrew, previously vice president of the Michigan Tech Fund. He will also serve as president of the Michigan Tech Fund.

Units reporting to Advancement are Development, Marketing and Communications, and Alumni Relations. Bonnie Gorman, formerly associate vice president for Student Life, was named executive director of Marketing and Communications. Stephan Olsson continues as executive director of Alumni Relations.

The restructuring was a collaboration involving the Board of Control, the Board of Trustees of the Michigan Tech Fund, and the administration.

In prior years, the Tech Fund board was responsible for fundraising as well as management of Tech's endowment. With this change, the Tech Fund board retains its investment responsibility, advises the University on fundraising strategy, and actively participates in securing new charitable gifts. Behind the shift is the need to prepare for a major, multiyear fundraising campaign slated to begin in mid-2007.

"The campaign is an essential ingredient in Michigan Tech's future," said President Glenn D. Mroz. "Our ability to position Tech as a premier national university of choice is increasingly dependent on securing private support from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Moving the ultimate responsibility for fundraising to the University underscores its importance to the Board of Control. I am delighted that the Board of Control and the Tech Fund trustees have taken this step to promote a successful campaign."

Improved marketing effectiveness is the other aim of restructuring. Despite our quality and accomplishments, recent research indicates the Michigan Tech name and identity are not widely known. Gaining a greater level of public awareness is a top priority.

President Mroz sums up the challenge: "Top schools nationally are smart marketers. They create an identity in the public mind and capitalize on it. We are committed to our mission of creating the future and to marketing our identity the way all great schools do."

Planning is underway in the Alumni Relations and Marketing and Communications areas to sharpen the Tech marketing messages and convey them consistently. In the coming weeks and months, evidence of this work will be seen in every marketing vehicle, including publications, the Tech website, media relations, and special events.

"We have made progress the past two years in marketing to prospective students," explains President Mroz. "Now we must expand to other key constituencies, including government officials, corporate leaders, and alumni and friends. Our message and strategic plan goals must be clearly understood and communicated creatively. We will give our communicators-students, faculty, staff, alumni leaders, trustees-the tools to help in this effort."

John Calder '67, head of the Tech Fund board, is enthusiastic about the coming years. "Only through this collaboration of Tech's volunteer leaders can we achieve our strategic and fundraising goals. Tech is poised for great things. The Michigan Tech Fund trustees are ready to be part of this exciting effort."

For more information about each of the units in advancement, please visit the Advancement webpage at www.mtu.edu/advancement/.

Property available

Occasionally, the Michigan Tech Fund receives gifts of property which are then sold and the proceeds are used to support designated University programs. These properties are for sale:

Portage Lake vacant lots in Jacobsville, Michigan. (All are zero to ten acres.)

• Two lots, each valued at $7,900 (no water frontage)
• One lot valued at $34,700 (approximately ninety-three feet of frontage)
• Two lots, each valued at $39,200 (approximately eighty-four feet of frontage, each)
• Two lots, each valued at $46,100 (approximately one hundred feet of frontage, each)

For more information, contact Century 21 North Country Agency. Phone 906-482-0001 or email C21ncah@up.net

TimeShare Located on Boone, North Carolina
at the Willow Valley Resort

Valued at $3,000-$10,000 for purchase.

Cabin 10, Week 37 (approximately second week of September). The time given to the Fund is the "red time," which is the best, most expensive time.

This is a three-bedroom log cabin with two full baths, one king bed, four twin beds, and a sleeper sofa, telephone, cable television, fireplace, full kitchen. Available in the complex for guests: outdoor, heated swimming pool; nine-hole, executive golf course; three tennis courts.

For more information, call 1-800-890-1940.

PLAN Your Gift

Would you like to support Michigan Tech's mission of helping students to create the future? If so, the four steps below can guide you in the thought-provoking process of making a gift that provides maximum benefit to both you and Michigan Tech:

Ponder. Consider what you would like to accomplish with your gift. Review your assets, especially those that have appreciated in value. Do you need income or tax relief from your gift? Consider your family.

Learn. Gather information and advice. Contact our Office of Gift Planning to request literature and to discuss ideas for a gift arrangement that will meet your objectives. Most importantly, seek the counsel of an independent advisor.

Act. This step can be the hardest part of the process. However, armed with sufficient knowledge, you can make your planned gift confidently and with a feeling of satisfaction.

Notify. Once you complete your planned or estate gift, contact our Office of Gift Planning. We want to thank you and, with your permission, honor you as a member of our McNair Society.

For more information, call our Office of Gift Planning at 906-487-3325, send an email to ehalonen@mtu.edu, or visit our form online.

       © 2006, Michigan Tech Magazine

       Michigan Tech Magazine | Spring 2006 | http://www.mtu.edu/alumni