Here's a look at recent accomplishments of Ohio University faculty and staff.

Promotions position Ohio University for next phase in fundraising

Following the successful completion of the Bicentennial Campaign - which raised more than $221 million toward a $200 million goal - Ohio University's Office of Development has completed a restructuring initiative designed to utilize a small staff in support of achieving new University-wide, project-driven fundraising goals. The reorganized staff is nearly 20 percent smaller than the staff at the height of the campaign.

"The end of the campaign provided us with an opportunity to evaluate our organization, our staffing and our priorities and to look at how we might further improve an already strong organization," said Vice President for University Advancement Leonard Raley. "Over the next several years, we'll be raising money for campus priorities that don't neatly fit into any specific college or unit. Things like the new University Center and the 1804 Fund."

The following staff members were promoted:

Molly Tampke, formerly director of major gifts, is now assistant vice president for development, with responsibility for all fund raising efforts. Tampke, who came to Ohio University in 1994 as assistant dean for development in the College of Arts & Sciences, will oversee Annual Giving, Planned Giving, Major Giving and Development Communication. Tampke earned her BA and MA from Texas A&M in 1982 and 1983, respectively.

Larry Lafferty, formerly director of annual giving, is now executive director of annual giving programs and special campaigns with responsibility for all annual giving programs, which will encompass an enhanced phonathon and direct mail program, a parent's campaign, senior class gift program, a recent graduate program and a reunion fundraising program. Lafferty, who came to Ohio University in 1989, earned his BA from West Virginia University in 1986.

Patrick Webb, formerly manager of advancement services, is now associate chief of staff and manager of advancement services with an expanded role in coordinating the work of the three departments in University Advancement Alumni Relations, Communications and Marketing and Development especially as they relate to technology. Webb, who came to Ohio University in 1999 as the manager of information services, earned his BS from Texas A&M in 1969 and his MS from the Florida Institute of Technology in 1978.

Jim Geiger, formerly director of corporate and foundation relations, is now director of major gifts and director of corporate and foundation relations. He will continue to solicit funds from corporations and foundations with the added responsibility of managing several members of the front-line fundraising staff. Geiger, who came to Ohio University in 2000 as the assistant dean for development for Honors Tutorial College, earned his BSC from Ohio University in 1993 and his MHA from the University in 1998.

Heidi Tracy, formerly assistant dean for development in the College of Communication, is now director of major gifts and assistant dean for development for the College of Communication. She will continue to raise funds for the college with the added responsibility of managing several members of the front-line fundraising staff. Tracy, who came to Ohio University in 1995 as the assistant dean for development in the College of Education, earned her BSJ from the University in 1989.

Kelli Bell, JD, formerly assistant director of planned giving, is now director of planned giving with responsibility for and oversight of all giving made through estate and financial planning vehicles. Bell, who came to Ohio University in 1999 as assistant director of development for planned giving, earned her BBA from Ohio University in 1995 and her JD from the University of Cincinnati in 1999.

Susan Downard, formerly assistant director of stewardship and Trustees' Academy, is now associate director for annual giving programs and manager, stewardship and Trustees' Academy. In addition to managing all stewardship activities, she will manage the parents' campaign and co-manage the reunion fund raising program. Downard, who came to Ohio University in 1986 as assistant to the dean for external relations in the College of Business, earned her BSJ from the University in 1982.

Jacquelin Weber, formerly coordinator for special events, is now assistant director for special events with expanded responsibility for all event activity related to fundraising, including that associated with the Trustees' Academy. Weber, who came to Ohio University in 2000 as coordinator for special events, earned her BSS from the University in 1996.

Wenda Williamson, formerly director of development research, is now director of development research and prospect management with expanded responsibilities related to prospect identification and management. Williamson, who came to Ohio University in 1988, earned her BA from the University in 1982.

These promotions signal the beginning of a new chapter in fundraising at Ohio University.

"The reorganization has assisted in strategic planning and team building, which were essential at the Bicentennial Campaign's close, and as a new president stepped to the University's helm," said Raley. The new structure more tightly integrates the office's major, planned and annual giving operations as well as the communications, special events, stewardship and research functions. "This will position us to meet challenges and seize opportunities while raising significant private funds for Ohio University in the years ahead," added Raley.