Syracuse University promotes O’Rourke to fund-raising post

Syracuse University promotes O’Rourke to fund-raising postMay 02, 2003Matthew R. Snydermrsnyder@syr.edu

Syracuse University has appointed Lil Breul O’Rourke ’77 as the associate vice president for giving programs in Institutional Advancement and associate dean for advancement in The College of Arts and Sciences, effective July 1. O’Rourke, who is currently SU’s associate vice president for alumni relations, will bring more than 20 years of institutional advancement experience to her new position, in which she will oversee the fund-raising activities of The College of Arts and Sciences.

“Lil is a true citizen of this University,” says Chancellor Kenneth A. Shaw. “She understands how it works and what it needs.”

O’Rourke will bring her talents to bear on the implementation of a comprehensive strategic plan for advancement for The College of Arts and Sciences. She will work closely with Dean Cathryn Newton and her cabinet in order to bring additional resources to the College. According to O’Rourke, with more than 40,000 alumni on record, comprising close to 25 percent of all SU alumni, The College of Arts and Sciences has great potential for gaining and increasing support from an important constituency.

“As an alumna of the College of Arts and Sciences, it is a privilege to have the opportunity to work with Dean Newton and her leadership team to bring much-needed resources to the College. There is a clear vision for the College and with a solid advancement team and plan in place we will be able to help the faculty and students of the College meet their full potential,” says O’Rourke.

John Sellars, senior vice president for institutional advancement, notes that O’Rourke’s experience will be a boon to The College of Arts and Sciences. “Lil is uniquely qualified to help The College of Arts and Sciences reach its friend-raising and fund-raising goals,” says Sellars. “She has provided outstanding leadership to the Office of Alumni Relations, and she is a talented manager and experienced administrator who has superb organizational skills and works well with various constituencies.” In addition to her development work in The College of Arts and Sciences, O’Rourke will continue to oversee SU’s Greenberg House in Washington, D.C.

O’Rourke has served SU in the capacity of associate vice president for alumni relations since 1998; among other duties, she oversaw programs, services and policy for outreach to more than 180,000 SU alumni, and was responsible for directing the implementation of the Alumi Relations Strategic Plan. Before that, O’Rourke was director of major gifts at SU from 1990-98, associate director of alumni relations from 1984-90 and assistant director of alumni relations from 1983-84. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and history from The College of Arts and Sciences.

“I am delighted that Lil has joined our Advancement team in The College of Arts and Sciences,” says Newton. “She has a splendid record of accomplishment and will truly add to our College’s ability to work with our large community of alumni and other friends.”

Mary Jane Nathan, SU’s executive director for special events and alumni programs, will fill O’Rourke’s position in the Office of Alumni Relations on an interim basis until the search for her replacement is completed.