Tom Jennings, who successfully led Florida State University’s first $1 billion fundraising campaign, is stepping down as vice president for University Advancement and president of the FSU Foundation, effective Aug. 9.
Jennings has accepted a position as vice president for University Advancement at Washington and Lee University in Virginia, where he previously worked in various fundraising roles from 1992 to 2002. He starts Aug. 10.
Jennings oversaw FSU’s Raise the Torch campaign, which resulted in gift commitments of $1.158 billion to the university. Those funds helped to create or enhance more than 1,300 student scholarships and nearly 100 professorships. The campaign’s most significant accomplishment was the creation of the nation’s largest interdisciplinary, degree-granting college of entrepreneurship, thanks to a record-setting $100 million gift from Jan Moran and The Jim Moran Foundation.
“Tom’s leadership in engaging alumni, donors and friends has been truly vital in elevating Florida State as a top-tier research university,” said FSU President John Thrasher. “He has done a terrific job in creating a culture of giving among the FSU family, and we appreciate his dedicated service for the past 10 years. We wish him all the best.”
Since his appointment in September 2010, Jennings has led FSU’s fundraising, alumni relations, advancement services and real estate activities, overseeing the FSU Alumni Association, FSU Foundation, FSU Real Estate Foundation and the Seminole Boosters.
“It has been a privilege and pleasure to serve alongside President Thrasher and our colleagues, and so many committed donors and volunteers on Florida State’s direct support organization boards, as we completed FSU’s first $1 billion campaign and worked to sustain and enhance excellence at FSU,” Jennings said. “I am excited about returning to W&L to lead its development and constituent engagement efforts, and to help extend its long history of academic excellence and leadership development.”
The university will appoint an interim at a later date and conduct a national search for the next vice president for University Advancement.