Peter Cronin
A highly accomplished institutional advancement officer with more than 30 years of experience in higher education has been named Syracuse University’s new vice president for development.
Peter Cronin, who has spent the last three decades conceptualizing, leading and managing comprehensive alumni affairs and development programs and capital campaigns, will begin his new position on May 3, 2017. Cronin will report directly to Matt Ter Molen, the University’s senior vice president and chief advancement officer, and will be responsible for overseeing the development functions and fundraising teams within many of Syracuse University’s schools, colleges and units.
“Peter has a wealth of experience that will not only benefit Syracuse University institutionally, but will also help our gift officers grow professionally and become even more successful fundraisers and University stewards,” says Ter Molen. “We are fortunate to have someone of Peter’s fundraising and strategic prowess joining our team. I am thrilled to have him join us and look forward to the immediate leadership he will provide in his new role.
At Syracuse, Cronin will work directly with deans and school, college and unit-based development officers in their fundraising efforts. Cronin will lead this team of development professionals as Syracuse University grows its development and alumni relations operation in anticipation of the next University-wide comprehensive fundraising campaign.
Cronin will be tasked with establishing and implementing the infrastructure needed to grow the school, college and unit fundraising enterprise through the strategic allocation of resources. He will also lead strategic planning efforts for these teams by defining fundraising and development programs, priorities, metrics and best practice models to meet Syracuse University’s financial needs.
“Joining Syracuse University’s advancement team is an exciting opportunity and to say I am honored and enthusiastic about what the future holds would be an understatement,” says Cronin. “Syracuse University is poised to experience significant growth in the future thanks to the ambitious priorities identified in the Academic Strategic Plan and Campus Framework. I am looking forward to working with my colleagues to communicate the rich Syracuse University story and its many strengths to current and prospective donors. I am also eager to begin building new and meaningful relationships with the extensive alumni network and my new colleagues.”
Cronin currently serves as Cornell Law School’s associate dean for alumni affairs and development, a position he has held since 2005. In that role, he oversees Cornell’s alumni affairs and development program, including staff management, budget oversight and strategic plan development. During his tenure, the Law School exceeded its goal in the context of Cornell University’s most recent comprehensive campaign, with $122 million in gifts and commitments against a goal of $83 million.
Prior to his tenure at Cornell, Cronin served as director of university development, director of capital giving, associate director of development for reunion giving and regional programs, and director of the annual fund at Washington and Lee University. He also served as director of development for the School of Nursing in the University of Virginia Health System Development Office. Cronin previously held various development, alumni and publications positions at Worcester Academy in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Cronin holds a bachelor’s degree in geology and art from Washington and Lee University and completed graduate work in visual communications at Ohio University. He currently serves as treasurer of The Episcopal Church at Cornell Foundation and a member of the board of directors of Loaves and Fishes of Tompkins County.
