Syracuse University names Donald C. Doerrto head Office of Alumni RelationsNovember 20, 2003Matthew R. Snydermrsnyder@syr.edu
Donald C. Doerr ’85, LAW ’88 has been named assistant vice president for alumni relations at Syracuse University, where he will direct SU’s efforts to forge meaningful, positive relationships with its more than 220,000 alumni. He will begin Feb. 1, 2004. Doerr is currently a partner in the law firm of McDermott, Doerr & Britt, PC.
“Don Doerr is, indeed, a doer,” says Chancellor and President Kenneth A. Shaw. “He has at numerous times and in numerous ways showed his love for his University, and he will provide the leadership that is needed in the years ahead.”
Doerr was named president of the Alumni Association and a member of the University’s Board of Trustees in July 2003; he will leave both positions to assume his new position at the University. According to Board of Trustees Chairman Joseph O. Lampe ’53, LAW ’55, “Don has been a dedicated supporter of the Alumni Association for years, generously devoting his time and rising up to its presidency. He is a perfect fit for the position, and I am very confident in him.”
Doerr brings 15 years’ legal practice experience and 12 years of volunteer activity with five different SU alumni organizations. He will work closely with John D. Sellars, senior vice president for institutional advancement, to maintain and improve SU’s traditionally strong ties to its alumni. Sellars notes that Doerr has already helped the University greatly and anticipates that he will be especially helpful in helping SU make the most of its relationships with past students during the next capital campaign.
“Don is deeply loyal to SU and to its national and international alumni community, which, along with his proven experience and high energy level, makes him well-suited to help us build the bonds that are so fundamental to our success,” says Sellars.
“He has for many years been a staunch supporter of SU, and we look forward to him helping reinforce the sense of connection among the people who have shared in this campus’ signature experiences.”
According to Senior Vice President for Business Finance and Administrative Services Louis G. Marcoccia, Doerr’s appointment will be key to helping the University achieve its fund-raising goals. “Don’s talent, experience and awareness of SU traditions and alumni goals and initiatives position him to readily focus and channel alumni relations efforts, including resource generation efforts, in support of SU’s mission and vision.”
Senior Vice President for Human Services and Government Relations Eleanor Ware agrees that Doerr is the right choice for the job. “It’s exciting to think that Don will soon be creating alumni experiences that reflect his deep love for SU,” she says. “With the energy and devotion he brings to his work, he will ably steer our partnerships with alumni constituents.”
In addition to his roles on the Board of Trustees and with the Alumni Association, Doerr has served on the SU College of Law Board of Visitors since 1990 and has held leadership roles in the SU Law Alumni Association and the SU Alumni Club of Central New York. He holds a bachelor’s degree and juris doctor from The College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Law, respectively.
Before joining McDermott, Doerr & Britt in 1991, Doerr practiced law for Chamberlain, D’Amanda, Oppenheimer & Greenfield in Syracuse and for Olwine, Connelly, Chase, O’Donnell & Weyher in New York City. He has also clerked for the Fourth Judicial Department of the Appellate Division, New York State Supreme Court, and is admitted to practice law in the U.S. Supreme Court; New York; Massachusetts; Washington, D.C.; and several U.S. District Courts with jurisdiction in New York. He is the immediate past president and chair of the governance committee for the Onondaga County Bar Association, member of the executive committee of the New York State Bar Association, and member of the New York State Continuing Legal Education Board.
Doerr resides in DeWitt, N.Y. with his wife Maria and has two step-sons.
