Will Rogers once said, "Even if you are on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there." Perhaps his philosophy is taught early in IT's required curriculum; the accomplishments of many IT alumni mirror the famous humorist's sage counsel. Never content with the status quo, they're creative and visionary individuals who seize opportunities to shape the future of science and technology.
Rogers's prescription is good advice for anyone—but particularly so for universities,
colleges, and development officers. IT definitely is on the right track. During
his tenure, Dean H. Ted Davis has brought financial stability to IT, cultivated
a strong sense of collegiality, and emphasized the critical importance of interdisciplinary
research, the college's hallmark. With an eye to the future, our outstanding
faculty, staff, and students are working together to ensure IT's place in the
vanguard of emerging technologies, innovative education, and service to the
community.
During the past four years, I've had the privilege of serving IT as the college's director of development. The Office of Development has achieved great success, primarily through the efforts of our alumni, friends, my development teammates, and faculty leaders who have built strong relationships with alumni and friends.
Proud as we are of IT's accomplishments, complacency is not an option, for we must keep moving down the path toward greater success. New initiatives in renewable energy and biotechnology are generating much excitement in the college and the University. The development team is working to build stronger relationships among IT and a number of corporations, and already we have more ongoing relationships with individual alumni and friends than ever before. Clearly, IT isn't just "sitting there."
I apply Rogers's maxim to my personal life as well as my professional goals. I am leaving IT to join the University of Missouri-Columbia as associate vice chancellor for development. Although this new track offers me (and my family) wonderful opportunities, the change also means that I must leave behind a great college, its alumni, and a group of professionals whom I consider friends as well as teammates. Development officers Jennifer Clarke, David Hoffman, Tom Kinsey, and Jennifer Pogatchnik are truly wonderful people. They bring passion, integrity, and dedication to their work, serving IT departments as well as alumni and friends who want to connect to the University, especially through philanthropy. I've also worked closely with Kris Kosek, former alumni relations director, and with the communications team, headed by Paul Sorenson. Their insights and talents have contributed significantly to our success.
I am grateful to have had the opportunity to know you and to serve the college. I will miss being affiliated with this great institution and such fine people, but I leave knowing that the college is on the right track. Thanks for all that you do on behalf of the Institute of Technology.
PHIL OSWALD was director of development for the Institute
of Technology from 2000-04. You can reach Tom Kinsey,
interim director of development, at 612-625-4509.
