August 26, 2009

To the George Washington University Community:

I would like to inform you of a change in the leadership of the University's Division of Development and Alumni Relations. Today I accepted the resignation of Vice President Laurel Price Jones, who had graciously stayed beyond the expiration of her current contract to guide us this summer through a successful leadership retreat. At that retreat, the deans, the Board of Trustees, and the members of our many advisory boards and councils identified fund-raising priorities that will define our development activities for some years to come. I am grateful to Laurel for the role she has played in bringing us to this point.

As Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations, Laurel presided over a substantial expansion of our fund-raising infrastructure and staffing, as well as a significant strengthening of our ties to our world-wide community of more than 220 thousand alumni. She worked to develop strong fund-raising programs in the University's schools, set alumni relations on a new footing, engaged the deans and trustees in establishing fund-raising priorities, and reached out personally to alumni around the world. During her tenure, overall attainment grew from approximately $50 million to approximately $100 million per year and the University secured two of the largest gifts in its history.

Effective immediately, I have asked John Kudless, currently our associate vice president for principal gifts, to serve as interim vice president. John has more than 35 years of experience embracing all aspects of development. He joined GW in 2007 after serving as executive director for principal gifts at The Johns Hopkins University and then as a senior vice president at the major development consulting firm Grenzebach Glier and Associates. Earlier in his career, he served in vice presidential roles at both Georgetown and Virginia Commonwealth Universities. He has exactly the right qualifications to lead our development and alumni programs while we conduct a national search for Laurel's successor.

On a personal note, I would like to thank Laurel Price Jones for providing me with indispensable help and counsel during my transition into the GW presidency. We have all benefited from her dedicated efforts, and I know you will want to join me in wishing her well in her future endeavors.

Sincerely,

Steven Knapp
President