Taking a rapidly growing college to new and greater heights requires establishing new relationships, enhancing existing relationships and acquiring resources.

As a result, West Virginia University’s College of Business and Economics has assembled an expanded development team to meet these challenges. This new team’s first charge will be fundraising for the University-wide A State of Minds: The Campaign for West Virginia’s University, which was publicly launched on June 2.

Leading the team will be new director of development Laura McCall, who will be responsible for coordinating all donor-related efforts for the College, including planning and implementing strategies to cultivate relationships and increasing philanthropic support. McCall brings 12 years’ experience in higher education and extensive knowledge of fundraising, and has worked in a variety of fundraising positions at the WVU Foundation over the last eight years. She served most recently as the WVU Foundation’s director of individual giving. Prior to her work there, the Paden City, W.Va., native worked as the director of alumni activities at Barton College in Wilson, N.C. McCall earned a bachelor’s degree in speech communications from Fairmont State University and a master’s degree in communications studies from WVU.

“It is an exciting time at WVU,” McCall said. “The College of Business and Economics is fortunate to be led by Dean Jose Sartarelli, a visionary leader whose foresight and passion will steer the College through this campaign with great success. I am thrilled to work with Dr. Sartarelli to move the College forward and help make it ‘Better, Bigger, Ranked.’ I feel privileged to have the opportunity to contribute to the future of the College and, ultimately, the State of West Virginia. As a land grant institution, it is our mission to support our state, its citizens and our state’s well-being.”

Also joining the team is Amy Cole, the College’s new associate director of development. Cole previously served as assistant director at High Rocks Educational Corp., a non-profit in Hillsboro, W.Va., that provides leadership training for teenage girls in Pocahontas, Nicholas and Greenbrier counties. Her areas of expertise include sales and event management. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Radford College in media studies.

Bonnie Anderson, part of the College’s staff since 2004, became director of alumni relations and assistant director of development this spring. Her new roles include identifying opportunities to reach out to alumni and other supporters, coordination of the WVU Business Hall of Fame and Roll of Distinguished Alumni and the annual giving program. She ensures proper stewardship of all College gifts. Anderson holds a Regents degree in English from WVU.

Vickie Trickett, who has been a development representative with the College since 2002, is now the events manager with the unit. She is responsible for scheduling, management and execution of special events, functions and ceremonies for the College to support outreach, fundraising, stewardship and alumni, donor and student engagement.

Marlene Guzy, administrative assistant, rounds out the team. She came to the College of Business and Economics in February 2012 from Penn State University, Fayette Campus, and provides all administrative support to the Office of Development and Alumni Relations.

Sartarelli said he looks forward to working with the new team.

“This newly constituted Office of Alumni and Development is strong and committed to helping us build a robust future for our College, especially during the State of Minds campaign,” said Sartarelli. “I am pleased to welcome Laura, Amy and Marlene to the College, and Bonnie and Vickie to their new positions, and hope to work closely with them as we move B&E to new heights.”

A State of Minds: The Campaign for West Virginia’s University is the largest private fundraising campaign in University history. The campaign is driven by the 2020 Strategic Plan for the Future, which ensures WVU’s continued prominence in national research, thereby enhancing educational achievement, global engagement, diversity and the vitality and well-being of the people of West Virginia.

For further information on the comprehensive campaign, please visit www.astateofminds.com or www.be.wvu.edu .

-WVU-

rn/07/13/12

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CONTACT: Patrick Gregg
patrick.gregg@mail.wvu.edu; 304.293.5131