Deetz named VU Senior Director of Institutional Advancement and Executive Director of Foundation - External Relations
Deetz named VU Senior Director of Institutional Advancement and Executive Director of Foundation
May 31, 2019 / Deetz named VU Senior Director of Institutional
Advancement and Executive Director of Foundation
Kristi
Deetz photo
VINCENNES, Ind. - VU President Chuck Johnson and VU Foundation
Board Chair Gregg Sturm have announced that the Vincennes University
Foundation has named Kristi Deetz as its new Executive Director. Deetz
will also serve in the newly formed role of Senior Director of
Advancement for Vincennes University. In these capacities, Deetz will
report to both the VU Foundation Board and the VU President.
“The establishment of this dual role is the next step in a
renewed relationship between the University and the VU Foundation.
Resources are a key challenge for all higher education institutions. I
look forward to working with Kristi to build on successful fundraising
initiatives that will enhance student success, college attainment, and
the reputation and strength of the University,” Johnson said.
Deetz has most recently served as the Foundation’s interim
director while also serving as senior director of External Relations.
She took over the ER post in December 2006 after serving seven months
as interim senior director.
Phil Rath, VU Vice President for Financial Services and
Government Relations, Treasurer of the VU Foundation, and Chair of the
Search Committee said, “Kristi is a great choice for this role. She
brings a passion for VU, a great understanding of the important role
of the VU Foundation, and a strong set of skills and knowledge in
telling the VU story to many different audiences.”
Johnson added, “In her role as interim director these past 14
months, Kristi has stepped up and helped us move forward on a variety
of important efforts. She understands how to work well with the many
stakeholders of the Foundation, including the staff, the Foundation
board, alumni, donors, and the university community.”
This past winter Deetz played a key role in the establishment
of a $4.5 million scholarship endowment from Alexandra Clark Dunn.
That donation represents the largest single gift to the VU Foundation
or the University.
She has led efforts to develop strategic marketing,
communications, and recruitment initiatives, as well as direct brand
management, institutional positioning, media relations, and crisis
communications. She was a VU Peer Recognition Award recipient in 2006.
“She’s very passionate about VU and she understands the various
departments at VU that can assist and help the Foundation. I think
that is going to certainly help,” Sturm said.
“We are happy that she’s agreed to serve full time as the
Executive Director of the Foundation. We look forward to her doing an
excellent job.”
The Foundation and University are working in close partnership
to combine their strengths in fresh and complementary ways.
“The University and Foundation worked together on this search,”
Johnson said. “We are pleased to have a common vision of the future to
build on the many successes we’ve had.
Deetz possesses a long history with VU. A Vincennes native, she
has more than 25 years of experience working at the university.
She was communications manager at VU, 2004-06, following 13
years as producer/director for WVUT-TV, a part of the VU Broadcasting
Department. While at WVUT she also served as an adjunct instructor of
broadcasting and was a production freelancer with organizations such
as Indiana Pacers TV and Metro Sports.
Her VU ties run deep. Deetz is a second-generation VU alumna.
Her son Kenneth graduated from VU in May and her daughter Elizabeth is
a freshman at VU.
Beginning with a high school internship at VU in
communications, Deetz earned associate degrees in both broadcast
technology and modern foreign language. In addition, she served as
class officer and the student appointee of Indiana Governor Robert Orr
to the VU Board of Trustees. She also received an Indiana Vocational
Education Award for Excellence.
Deetz earned a bachelor’s degree in telecommunications and a
master’s degree in Executive Development in Public Service, both from
Ball State University, all with high distinction. She is also a
graduate of Vincennes Lincoln High School.
She has provided extensive service to her community. She was a
member of the board for Leadership Knox County, where she designed new
curriculum and served as its facilitator/instructor in 2012-14. Since
2009 she has served on the board of the Lincoln High School Band
Boosters. She is currently on the Board of Directors for PACE
Community Action Agency, Inc. Deetz has served in leadership roles for
the Vincennes Education Foundation, Old Town Players, First United
Methodist Church, Boy Scouts of America, and the Lincoln High School
Soccer Boosters. She is a member of Sigma Phi Gamma International
Sorority, Omicron Delta Chapter.
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Vincennes University Newsroom
MARCIA MARTINEZ, University Life Reporter & Sports
Information Director
812-888-4164 office, 314-599-1519 cell,
VUNews@vinu.edu, mmartinez@vinu.edu
VICKIE PUFFER,
Communications Coordinator & Online Newsroom Manager
812-888-4162 office, 812-887-4635 cell, VUNews@vinu.edu,
vpuffer@vinu.edu
VINCENNES UNIVERSITY, Department of University
Relations, www.vinu.edu/newsroom