News Release
Nevin Kessler Named Vice Chancellor for Advancement at NC State
Media Contact(s)
Keith Nichols, News Services, (919) 515-7159
Aug. 20, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nevin E. Kessler, associate dean for development and alumni relations at Yale University School of Management, has been named vice chancellor for advancement at North Carolina State University. Chancellor James Oblinger made the announcement today following approval by the NC State Board of Trustees' Academic Affairs and Personnel Committee. The appointment is effective Oct. 15.
As vice chancellor for advancement, Kessler will have oversight of a division that includes development, alumni relations, public affairs and advancement services, and will be responsible for effectively integrating advancement efforts across the university's divisions, colleges, programs and affiliated foundations. More than 140 staff members comprise the advancement division at NC State.
In announcing the appointment, Oblinger said, "Nevin Kessler brings to NC State more than 23 years in higher education, and he has worked across a broad range of disciplines within the advancement field. We are confident that he will provide the leadership, vision and energy to continue and to expand our strong relationships with alumni, friends and supporters of the university."
Kessler succeeds Terry Wood, who has announced his intention to retire from NC State. Wood, who served as vice chancellor for advancement for more than seven years, led the university's successful $1 billion "Achieve" campaign, which has already exceeded its target and continues through June 2008.
Kessler, 48, currently manages the development and alumni relations program at Yale's School of Management, where he assembled a team of professionals who have successfully launched the school's first-ever capital campaign, with a goal of $300 million. His team has broken all previous fund-raising records for the past two years.
Prior to his tenure at Yale, Kessler was vice president for development at the University of Connecticut Foundation Inc. in Storrs, Conn., from 2000 to 2003. While at Connecticut, he planned and implemented a $300 million comprehensive capital campaign.
From 1993 to 2000, Kessler served in several roles within development at Virginia Tech, including director of development at the Pamplin College of Business, director of corporate and foundation relations and associate vice president for development. As the chief development officer at Virginia Tech, he successfully managed the final phase of the university's $250 million campaign, which exceeded its goal by 35 percent and set records for fund-raising achievement.
Previously, he held leadership positions in career planning and placement at the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business Administration, the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business and at Vassar College. He also has worked in the private sector for Procter & Gamble.
Kessler holds a bachelor's degree in history from Dickinson College, where he earned magna cum laude honors and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. He received a master's degree in college student personnel from Bowling Green State University.
At NC State, Kessler will lead the final year of fundraising for the $1 billion "Achieve" campaign, which has raised more than $1,124,330,000 to date. The campaign is one of fewer than 30 university campaigns of a billion dollars or more in progress nationally. Private support gained through the campaign will enable NC State to better implement its mission and serve the students and faculty of today and tomorrow by building the university endowment as well as funding innovative educational initiatives and state-of-the-art facilities.
Kessler is married to Mary Lin McBride, and the couple has two sons, Joseph and Lucas.
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