Brenda Wilson-Hale, vice president for university development and chief executive officer of the WSU Foundation, has accepted a position as vice president for institute advancement at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y.
She will oversee alumni relations and development. She will take over the new position on July 1.
“I am proud of the great work we have accomplished at the Washington State University Foundation during my time here,” said Wilson-Hale. “It has been an honor and privilege to work with President Floyd, faculty, staff and each of the volunteers to advance the university through private support.
“I will miss working with the talented team at the WSU Foundation and I wish them well as they continue to pursue WSU’s critical fund-raising goals.”
During her three years at WSU, Wilson-Hale built the organizational infrastructure that has resulted in an unprecedented period of fundraising success at WSU, punctuated by the two most successful fundraising years in WSU history – $143.4 million in fiscal year 2008 and $106.7 million in fiscal year 2009.
“Washington State University has benefitted greatly from Brenda Wilson-Hale’s leadership,” said President Elson S. Floyd. “The WSU Foundation has had the two finest fundraising years in its history in the midst of a difficult economy. That is a tribute to the excellent work done by Brenda and the team at the foundation.
“We wish her all the best in this new position.”
Wilson-Hale arrived at WSU in March 2007 from Michigan State University to serve as senior vice president of the foundation. In May 2007, she was appointed interim vice president for university development and was named vice president for university development and chief executive officer of the WSU Foundation in February 2008.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is the nation’s oldest technological university. The university offers degrees from five schools – engineering; science; architecture; humanities, arts and social sciences; and the Lally School of Management & Technology – as well as an interdisciplinary degree in information technology. Enrollment in fall 2009 was 7,656 students.