GW took its first step toward achieving University President Steven Knapp's goal of increasing alumni relations by welcoming two new administrators upon the beginning of his tenure.
Adrienne Rulnick is serving the University as associate vice president for principal gifts in the division of Development, a position recently created, while John Kudless replaced Scott Mory as associate vice president for Alumni Relations and Annual Giving. Mory is now associate vice president for Alumni Relations at the University of Southern California.
Knapp said one of his major goals is to improve alumni relations, as the current state of alumni relations at GW does not reflect GW's growing level of prestige. GW currently has an alumni giving rate of 11 percent.
"Alumni relations are important for GW's goals and aspirations," Knapp said. "In order to make GW stronger and more visible by improving facilities for research and providing financial aid for students, support from the wider community of alumni is needed."
As associate vice president for alumni relations and annual giving, Rulnick oversees more than 20 Alumni Relations and Annual Giving staff members. She was formerly the executive director of alumni relations and development at New York University. During her five years as executive director in this capacity, annual gifts grew from $8 million to $22 million.
"Our goals are to encourage incoming and current students to think of themselves as alumni in training," Rulnick wrote in an e-mail to The Hatchet. "We want individuals to take advantage of the GW network as students and then remain engaged with the University throughout their lives."
Rulnick added that she will work diligently to enhance the two-way dialogue between alumni and the University and to showcase the lifetime of opportunities that GW provides. She said the dialogue will help inspire alumni to give back to the University.
As associate vice president for principal gifts, Kudless will help identify and establish relationships with donors who are interested in making seven figure or greater gifts to the University.
Adrienne Rulnick is serving the University as associate vice president for principal gifts in the division of Development, a position recently created, while John Kudless replaced Scott Mory as associate vice president for Alumni Relations and Annual Giving. Mory is now associate vice president for Alumni Relations at the University of Southern California.
Knapp said one of his major goals is to improve alumni relations, as the current state of alumni relations at GW does not reflect GW's growing level of prestige. GW currently has an alumni giving rate of 11 percent.
"Alumni relations are important for GW's goals and aspirations," Knapp said. "In order to make GW stronger and more visible by improving facilities for research and providing financial aid for students, support from the wider community of alumni is needed."
As associate vice president for alumni relations and annual giving, Rulnick oversees more than 20 Alumni Relations and Annual Giving staff members. She was formerly the executive director of alumni relations and development at New York University. During her five years as executive director in this capacity, annual gifts grew from $8 million to $22 million.
"Our goals are to encourage incoming and current students to think of themselves as alumni in training," Rulnick wrote in an e-mail to The Hatchet. "We want individuals to take advantage of the GW network as students and then remain engaged with the University throughout their lives."
Rulnick added that she will work diligently to enhance the two-way dialogue between alumni and the University and to showcase the lifetime of opportunities that GW provides. She said the dialogue will help inspire alumni to give back to the University.
As associate vice president for principal gifts, Kudless will help identify and establish relationships with donors who are interested in making seven figure or greater gifts to the University.
