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Belmont Abbey Combines Three Key Functions To Better Support College 's Long Term Vision - New Hires, Initiatives Generating Significant Interest and Result
Belmont, N.C. (September 26, 2006) -- Belmont Abbey today took another step toward fulfilling the longer term vision of the College with the hire of Linda Slade as director of marketing. Slade, an Abbey alumna and former associate director of the Community Foundation of Gaston County, will report to Vice President of College Relations, Ken Davison, who joined the College earlier this summer from Catholic World Mission Inc. Under Davison's leadership, the development (formerly institutional advancement), alumni & parent relations and marketing functions have been combined under the Office of College Relations.
"In addition to becoming more effective and efficient, the main goal of this restructuring is to cultivate more participation in our vision of a college centered on Jesus Christ," said Belmont Abbey President, Dr. Bill Thierfelder . "Some will participate by becoming a student, others will be financial and prayer benefactors or business partners -- there are many ways to join us in achieving our objectives of excellence and virtue so 'that in all things God may be glorified'," he added.
Already, results from these changes are becoming apparent including:
A new approach for The Abbey's annual fundraising effort . Kicking off in late August, The Abbey Family Fund better reflects the spiritual distinctiveness of the College and the Benedictine sense of family felt by all who attend and support the college. Response has already been dramatic, as phone pledges in September are more than double last year's total for the entire period of September through November, and many alumni who have not given for a number of years are making pledges for this year.
A redesigned alumni magazine . The new and improved Crossroads hit mailboxes last week with much fanfare. Feedback from alumni and friends of the college to the Abbot himself call the metamorphosis of the magazine "worthy of awards" and "magnificent."
An increase in interest and awareness of Belmont Abbey's new Motorsports Management offering . First of its kind, the Abbey's Motorsports Management Program that kicked off this semester has been receiving a lot of print and broadcast media attention while gaining momentum within the industry as well. Dr. Thierfelder has been invited to be a featured panelist in the "state of the industry" opening discussion at the Motorsports Marketing Forum during NASCAR Week in New York this November.
Belmont Abbey Combines Three Key Functions
"With Linda now on board, our focus in the months ahead will be new media for fundraising, admissions and overall awareness," said Davison. "Her creativity and energy, combined with her genuine passion for the Abbey, can only lead to great things for the College."
Slade has been with the Community Foundation of Gaston County for the past seven years and was responsible for developing The Next Generation Fund, a group of younger foundation supporters committed to philanthropy. She also managed Run for the Money, a now annual 5K fun run and matching grant program that generates $1M + for local non profits. Prior to that, she held several senior marketing and strategic planning positions.
"Coming back to the Abbey, at such a pivotal time for the College, is a real honor and thrill for me," said Slade. With all the excitement and growth, I can't wait to be part of the action."
Davison joined the Abbey this summer with equally impressive credentials. As Executive Director of Catholic World Mission Inc. for the past five years, he is credited with turning around an unprofitable business model and expanding operational scope beyond Latin America into Asia and the United States, largely through aggressive internet fundraising and cooperative partnerships with other Catholic organizations. Prior to that, he held senior marketing, business development and brand management positions at Ceridian, ProBusiness Services Inc., Gelco Information Network and the Procter and Gamble Company.
Continuously ranked one of the best comprehensive colleges in the southeast by U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review, Belmont Abbey College is located just 10 miles west of Charlotte , N.C. , which is the largest city in the Carolinas and considered NASCAR's epicenter. Steeped in its 130-year Catholic Benedictine heritage, this liberal arts college is home to more than 1,100 students from 34states and 17 countries and welcomes anyone from any background or tradition committed to its vision of excellence and virtue.
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For more information, contact Ed Jones, Director of Marketing, at (704) 461-6848. |
