David K. Whitmore
As part of the $1.5 billion Forever Orange Campaign, Syracuse University recently announced the launch of the Forever Orange Faculty Excellence Program, an initiative focused on advancing academic excellence. To support that ambitious effort, today, Matt Ter Molen, senior vice president and chief advancement officer, announced the appointment of David K. Whitmore G’06 to the position of vice president for advancement, academic affairs. Whitmore’s appointment was approved by the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees. He begins his new role on May 2.
“David is an academic-focused development leader with more than 15 years of experience meeting fundraising goals,” says Ter Molen. “As a Syracuse alumnus, he already holds a deep connection to and affinity for the Orange community. We’re thrilled to welcome him back and know his contributions will significantly increase our capacity to support key academic initiatives, including the Faculty Excellence Program.”
“I am honored to return to SU and serve the academic mission of such a prominent institution,” says Whitmore. “As an alumnus, I have witnessed firsthand the strength of the faculty’s research and teaching. I look forward to joining the advancement team to enhance the fundraising and engagement focus in the critical area of academic affairs.”
This new position will support the advancement efforts benefiting the University’s academic and research enterprise. Whitmore will work closely with Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer Gretchen Ritter, her team in the Office of Academic Affairs, the Office of Research, interdisciplinary centers and institutes, Syracuse Abroad, Syracuse University Libraries and the Syracuse University Art Museum.
“Having a strategic partner who can support the dynamic fundraising needs of our academic units and our evolving Academic Strategic Plan will position the University for continued growth and success within our academic and research portfolio,” says Ritter. “The resources David and his team generate will be instrumental in our work to attract, recruit and retain talented and productive faculty. Our future as an elite institution is stronger with a leader in place who can facilitate donor relationships with our faculty’s world-class research, scholarship and creative work.”
Whitmore comes to Syracuse from Cornell University, where he has served as the associate vice president for major gifts, alumni affairs and development, a role he held since 2017. There, he was responsible for advancing long-range campaign planning for individual giving at the university. Whitmore was a member of the senior leadership team for the university’s development division, which provided advancement and alumni support to 11 schools and colleges, 12 non-academic units and more than 250,000 constituents. He oversaw work planning, training, metrics and best practices for roughly 75 major gift officers and had accountability for ensuring the goal of raising over $100 million in major gifts annually was met. He directed a team of 35, including the west coast advancement office and international fundraising efforts. Whitmore was instrumental in securing a $25 million gift for the new Brooks School of Public Policy. Prior to his leadership role on the central development team, he held several development positions with the largest college at Cornell, the College of Arts and Sciences.
Born and raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Whitmore earned his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and his master’s in public administration from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. He currently lives in Ithaca, New York, with his wife, Sara, his son, Lucian, and his two dogs, Rufus and Blue.
Syracuse University is a private research university that advances knowledge across disciplines to drive breakthrough discoveries and breakout leadership. Our collection of 13 schools and colleges with over 200 customizable majors closes the gap between education and action, so students can take on the world. In and beyond the classroom, we connect people, perspectives and practices to solve interconnected challenges with interdisciplinary approaches. Together, we’re a powerful community that moves ideas, individuals and impact beyond what’s possible.
Orange isn’t just our color. It’s our promise to leave the world better than we found it. Forever Orange: The Campaign for Syracuse University is poised to do just that. Fueled by 150 years of fearless firsts, together we can enhance academic excellence, transform the student experience and expand unique opportunities for learning and growth. Forever Orange endeavors to raise $1.5 billion in philanthropic support, inspire 125,000 individual donors to participate in the campaign, and actively engage one in five alumni in the life of the University. Now is the time to show the world what Orange can do. Visit foreverorange.syr.edu to learn more.
