5/2/97

ATHENS, Ohio -- Leonard R. Raley, assistant vice president for development at the University of Maryland, has been selected as Ohio University's next vice president for development, President Robert Glidden announced at a press conference today.

Raley will begin at Ohio University in July as the university's chief fund-raising officer. He also will serve as executive director of the Ohio University Foundation, which uses income from its $100 million endowment from private contributions to enhance the quality of the university through scholarships, endowed chairs and other improvements.

At Maryland, Raley played a major role in increasing the university's private fund raising from an annual average of $18 million six years ago to more than $40 million each of the past two years. He has helped plan and manage Maryland's current $350 million fundraising campaign.

"Leonard Raley brings to Ohio University extensive development experience from a major institution, and I feel very fortunate and pleased to attract him to Athens," Glidden said. "His values and approaches to development are consistent with those of Ohio University, and his proven ability to plan and organize programs and to lead people will be a real asset."

Raley said he became interested in the position "because of the strong institutional and volunteer leadership at Ohio University, its outstanding faculty and high-quality student body. It is my goal to broaden the base of private support through the identification and involvement of more alumni and friends. The development staff will partner and work closely with the alumni association in these efforts.

Raley will replace Jack Ellis, who is retiring in June after 30 years of service to Ohio University.

"I am honored that President Glidden offered me the opportunity to succeed Jack Ellis, who has done such an outstanding job in building a strong development program," Raley said. "Under President Glidden's leadership, I look forward to working with the development staff to continue to build on the long-standing record of private philanthropy at Ohio University."

Raley was selected following a four-month national search that attracted more than 60 candidates, including both applicants and candidates recommended by a management consulting group. Raley was the top choice of four finalists recommended by the 12-member search and screening committee, according to Trustee Charlotte Eufinger, chair of the committee.

Raley will be moving to Athens with his wife, Suzanne, and children Elyse, age 11, and Allison, age 8.