Dickinson will welcome the new Vice President for college Advancement Kirk I. Swenson on July 1, 2016 Swenson was chosen by a search committee made up of the senior leaders of Advancement led by Provost Neil Weissman.

Swenson will replace former Vice President for Advancement Marsha Ray, who resigned from her role in October 2015. The position has been vacant for the six months since Ray’s departure.

Swenson hails from Southborough, MA., where he currently serves as the chief advancement officer of St. Mark’s School. He has previously held fund-raising positions at Cornell University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Ithaca College and the University of Rochester.

In a school-wide email sent by President Nancy Roseman on Tuesday, April 26, she states, “The search committee was impressed by Kirk’s proven fundraising track record, organizational abilities in recruiting and mentoring staff.”

Along with his “commitment to Dickinson’s approach to a liberal-arts education,” Swenson is experienced in fundraising and strategic planning, and has lead successful funding initiatives at his previous posts.

Brian Falck, the associate vice president for Advancement, says, “[Swenson] has great experience with comprehensive campaign planning and all that is required in that process. We share the committee’s enthusiasm (as well as his) for the potential in growing the philanthropic culture of the larger Dickinson community on and off campus.”

“The committee was impressed by the range of Kirk Swenson’s experience both in raising funds and in building strong advancement operations,” Weissman affirmed. “We are confident [Swenson] will serve as an effective leader and mentor for our Advancement staff and a valued member of the Dickinson community. People will enjoy working with him.”