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Lepper Named Ferris’ New Associate Vice President for Advancement

David R. LepperDavid R. Lepper has been named Ferris State University’s new associate vice president for Advancement, following a national search. The announcement was made today by University Advancement and Marketing Vice President Shelly Armstrong.

Lepper, who starts at Ferris on Monday, Jan. 6, most recently served as a senior fundraising consultant for the Remington Group, based in Beverly Hills, and as a senior consultant for Winning Futures, based in Warren. The AVP for Advancement reports to the vice president for UAM to provide leadership, management and vision for the university’s fundraising program and to increase private support. Lepper’s duties will include the supervision of a centralized fundraising staff of 14 people whose responsibilities include annual giving, advancement services, athletics giving, corporate and foundation relations, donor relations, major giving, planned giving, and research and prospect management.

“David has broad experience in development work in university, healthcare and non-profit settings, and I am delighted that he has accepted this opportunity to build a stronger program of philanthropy at Ferris,” Armstrong said. “His proven track record of leading successful fundraising campaigns of varying scope will enhance our ability to generate greater resources and opportunities for our students and academic programs.”

The opportunity to apply his 30-plus years of fundraising experience to Ferris State University’s Advancement division is an opportunity Lepper embraces.

“I am looking forward to using my experience to help Ferris State University increase its philanthropic support by working with the president, board of trustees, The Ferris Foundation board of directors, deans and faculty, alumni, donors and staff,” Lepper said. “Together, we will meet the important financial needs of our students and Ferris.”

Lepper will also be charged with managing a personal portfolio of major gift donors as well as prospects and meet annual goals for fundraising.

Prior to his work with the Remington Group and Winning Futures, Lepper worked for The Jefferson Foundation, in Pennsylvania, as senior vice president, and for Wayne State University’s School of Medicine, in Detroit, as executive director of Development and Alumni Affairs. Lepper’s previous positions include chief development officer for Focus: HOPE, in Detroit; senior vice president at William Tyndale College, in Farmington Hills; the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, in Detroit, as campaign director; United Way Community Services, as campaign director; and Dun and Bradstreet, Inc., in Detroit, as division manager.

In managerial capacities with The Jefferson Foundation, Wayne’s School of Medicine, Focus: HOPE, the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute and the United Way, Lepper worked on multi-million-dollar fundraising campaigns.

Strengthened by his professional experiences, Lepper is ready for the opportunity to serve as Ferris’ AVP for Advancement.

“Fundraising is becoming even more critical for universities around the United States and Ferris State University with its rich history of being an education leader in Michigan requires us to ensure that the resources are there to continue to educate the future leaders of tomorrow,” he said.

Lepper is a 1975 graduate of Central Michigan University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and a 1970 graduate of Houghton Lake High School.