JANUARY 2009

The New Year is well underway and is already promising to be full of opportunity for us and for you! We are delighted to announce the addition of two new team members and are looking forward to working with you and your colleagues!

We received an overwhelming response to our first newsletter in November. It was humbling hearing from so many of you. We are delighted to have had such quality individuals register their resumes with us for open positions as well as in the anticipation of future career opportunities at the President, Provost, Dean, Vice President and Executive Director levels in higher education, non-profit and athletics.

We look forward to continuing to serve as a resource for you in your personal goals and professional growth in the years to come.

To a continued dialogue and a new year of opportunity!

New eduSearch team members

Articles Of Interest

From The Chronicle of Higher Education...

Senate Stimulus Bill Has Less Money for Students and Colleges Than House Version Does

Work on an economic-stimulus bill containing billions of dollars for colleges and students continues in Congress this week, as lawmakers rush to get a completed bill to President Obama’s desk by mid-February.

From The Chronicle of Philanthropy...

Reports Show College Endowments Post Steepest Drop Since 1970s

Two reports have found that colleges and universities have experienced the sharpest drop in endowment values since the mid-1970s, according to The Chronicle of Higher Education and The New York Times.

The reports, conducted by the National Association of College and University Business Officers and TIAA-CREF Asset Management, found that college endowments earned an average return of minus-3 percent for the 2008 fiscal year and approximately minus-22.5 percent in the five months after that.

However grim performances were, the reports also found that more than half of all college endowments ended their fiscal year in June with larger endowments than they had a year earlier, with an average increase of 0.5 percent...

A Year of Big Bequests

Richest donors gave $15.5-billion in 2008, but this year looks gloomy

Even in a year in which the stock market swallowed up nearly $7-trillion in assets, America's wealthiest donors promised greater amounts to charitable organizations than in 2007: $15.5-billion in 2008, compared with $7.3-billion the previous year, according to The Chronicle's annual ranking of the 50 most generous philanthropists...

Frankly Speaking

Who Moved My Cheese?

...I’m reminded of the great little book, "Who Moved My Cheese?" Whether you’ve read it or not, I would recommend you pick up a copy and take it to heart in light of the world around us. Essentially what is happening in our world today, is that somebody has moved our cheese and we have to go looking for it in places unknown. Those of us who continue to be resourceful, creative, and maintain our optimism will thrive in this economy!...

RECENT EDUSEARCH PLACEMENTS

Baylor University

Executive Director of Development for the Hankamer School of Business and the School of Engineering and Computer Science Kevin Ludlum “I have been in higher education for over 15 years and working for Baylor is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling jobs I have had. This is home to me – I feel like one of the family here at Baylor and that is something that I have been looking for at each institution I have served but this is the first time I have found it.”

Prior to Dr. Kevin Ludlum’s current appointment at Baylor, he served as the Senior Director of Development and External Relations for the College of Engineering at Texas Tech University, Managing Director of Development for the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and as a Major Gifts Officer in the Central Office of Institutional Advancement at Texas Tech University. Over the last decade, Dr. Ludlum has been actively involved in raising money at every institution he has served. He is regularly requested to present at AFP chapter meetings as well as the Big XII Development Conference on topics ranging from team building, goal setting and performance issues to managing multi-interest donors.

Prior to his direct fundraising experience, Dr. Ludlum was actively involved in fundraising efforts while serving as a tenured faculty member and Coordinator of the Exercise and Sport Science program at Western State College of Colorado. Prior to WSC, Dr. Ludlum was the Coordinator of the Sport Science program at Anderson University in South Carolina. Dr. Ludlum has 10 years of performance consulting experience, working with individuals in both corporate and athletic environments. He has worked with athletes on all levels and in a variety of sports. He has been the Performance Enhancement Consultant for 4 different colleges and universities, professional associations, and a number of individual athletes. Dr. Ludlum continues to consult on a regular basis with executives and administrators within higher education and business, focusing primarily on leadership theory and practice.

Diocese of Raleigh

Director of Stewardship Mike G. Pedley “My experience with eduSearch was exceptional. Frank Shannon listened to what my career goals were and, based upon those goals, provided me with helpful advice. Frank worked to place me in a job that matched not only my career goals but also my desire to balance my personal and professional life. Frank was open and honest about the responsibilities and challenges of the position so that I was not surprised when I arrived. He worked hard to make sure he understood what the Diocese of Raleigh was looking for and that the Diocese was as good a fit for me as I was for it.”

Michael G. Pedley is the Director of Stewardship and Institutional Advancement for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Raleigh and oversees the creation and implementation of a multi-faceted giving program. Prior to joining the Diocese, Mike served as the Director of Corporate Relations for the College of Agriculture and the Staff Counsel/Associate Director of Planned Giving at Purdue University. During his almost six years at Purdue, Mike raised over $22 million. He was a speaker at local Association of Fundraising Professionals meetings and has been active in the United Way and March of Dimes.

Prior to his career in fundraising at Purdue, Mike’s legal career spanned seven years including the areas of Bankruptcy Law, Arbitration, intellectual property, contract law, and estate planning. Mike began his management career in the restaurant industry where he focused on store and regional profitability and productivity.

Mike received his J.D. from the University of Dayton, School of Law in 1998 and his Bachelors of Business Administration from the University of Cincinnati with a double major in Finance and Real Estate in 1991.

Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest

Director of Recruiting and Admissions Jennielle Strother "Anytime you consider leaving a job where you are happy and comfortable, a lot of stress and questions are generated. But, my experience was top-notch. The staff was informative and helpful. They walked me through each step of the process and helped both the Seminary of the Southwest and myself to determine if this was the right match."

A native of San Antonio, Texas, and former award-winning college athlete, Jennielle Strother earned degrees from Lon Morris College and Dallas Baptist University before beginning a nine-year career as a collegiate volleyball coach.

Shortly after returning to the Austin area in 2006, Jennielle entered the enrollment field managing the Master's degree program for Concordia University-Texas where she was promoted to Director of Admissions after a few months. Jennielle implemented innovative programs, employed new technologies and revamped the entire enrollment process resulting in the enrollment the largest freshman class in the University’s history.

In September of 2008, Jennielle assumed the position as Director of Recruiting and Admissions for the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest. Jennielle is working with senior administration where early accomplishments have included increased attendance at campus visit days and enrollment of the Seminary’s largest Spring class.