Rosemary M. Thomas Appointed Advancement Vice President

SALISBURY, MD—Rosemary M. Thomas, vice president of advancement at Glenville State College, WV, and executive director of its foundation, has been appointed vice president of advancement at Salisbury University.  She also will serve as executive director of the University’s Foundation, overseeing assets of some $28 million.  She assumes the position October 1.

“I am pleased that she has agreed to accept the position,” said SU President Janet Dudley-Eshbach.  Thomas brings both advancement experience and expertise.

“When I accepted the position of president of Fairmont State College, she was FSC’s director of alumni relations and the annual fund,” said Dudley-Eshbach. “She later became associate vice president for advancement there, and subsequently accepted the position of vice president for advancement at Glenville State.

“She is a ‘people person’ with an outstanding commitment to community service.  I expect she will quickly become a valued member of both our campus and the larger community.”

“I am enthusiastic about the quality advancement program at Salisbury University, a nationally acknowledged institution which is on the move,” said Thomas.  “From what I’ve seen, the loyalty of the campus, community, alumni and friends is extraordinary.  I think such support will provide the underpinnings as this public institution pursues those private funds needed in challenging times such as ours. As a firm believer in community service, I also look forward to personally becoming involved in the Salisbury area community.”

Thomas’ training in public service began early.  A cum laude graduate of Clemson University, she was a presidential intern and worked in fund raising with the Clemson president, vice-presidents and Board of Trustees. She also served as a Lyndon Baines Johnson intern in the U.S. House of Representatives. Thomas went on to earn a Master of Public Administration with honors from the University of South Carolina and has completed her doctoral coursework in advancement administration at West Virginia University.

At Glenville she led an advancement operation which included development, alumni relations, public relations, Web site development, printing services and sports information, which is similar to the structure of SU’s advancement division.  During her three years there, the annual fund grew tenfold. A phonathon which she initiated generated a 26 percent response rate.

She takes particular pride in her capital projects work which included raising funds to build a new athletic field and new alumni center; expanding student scholarship funds; and, as part of an administrative team, raising $2.4 million in grants.

Her community service efforts include leadership roles in the United Way, General Federation of Women’s Clubs, American Cancer Society including Relay for Life, the American Legion Auxiliary, the Chamber of Commerce, Quota International, Performing Arts for Children and her church’s youth fellowship.  Active with Girls’ State since 1985, she is on the staff of Girls’ Nation and was recently a keynote speaker.  Her topic was community service.