O’Rourke named to CASE Commission on Philanthropy

Friday, May 16, 2008, By News Staff

Sara Miller
315 443 9038

Lil Breul O’Rourke ’77, G’04 has been named to the Commission on Philanthropy for the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). O’Rourke is vice president and chief development officer for Syracuse University.

For a three-year term beginning July 1, O’Rourke will serve on the Philanthropy Commission, which supports the creation and dissemination of knowledge in the advancement disciplines. The focus of the commission is to examine and evaluate professional practices and to develop and monitor advancement programs and services to ensure that they reflect current knowledge, emerging issues and trends, and the highest ethical and professional standards.

The Commission on Philanthropy meets twice a year at CASE’s Washington, D.C., headquarters and communicates regularly about its work and initiatives to both the CASE Board and to district boards and conference planners. With nearly 3,400 colleges, universities, independent elementary and secondary schools, and educational associates as members, CASE is one of the largest nonprofit education associations for advancement professionals at all levels who work in alumni relations, communications, fundraising, marketing and other areas.

As vice president and chief development officer for SU, O’Rourke is responsible for directing the central development operation and school and college programs. SU recently launched The Campaign for Syracuse University, a $1 billion capital campaign and the most ambitious fundraising effort in SU’s history. By supporting faculty excellence, student access, interdisciplinary programs, capital projects and other institutional priorities, the campaign is continuing to drive Scholarship in Action, the University’s mission to provide students, faculty and communities with the insights needed to incite positive and lasting change in the world.

O’Rourke has been an SU staff member for more than 20 years. She has previously served as associate vice president for giving programs in Institutional Advancement and associate dean for advancement in The College of Arts and Sciences, overseeing the college’s development activities. She was associate vice president for alumni relations from 1998-2003, responsible for programs, services and policy for outreach to more than 180,000 SU alumni.