Vice President Advancement

Trine University Names David J. Fraboni II as Vice President for University Advancement

David J. Fraboni II

Following a national search, Trine University has named David J. Fraboni II, a development professional with more than 35 years of experience in academic fundraising, as its new vice president for university advancement.

“We are excited to welcome Dave to Trine University and look forward to the impact he will have in this critical role,” said Earl D. Brooks II, Ph.D., Trine University president. “His extensive experience and success as a fundraiser will be a huge asset to the university, and he will provide excellent leadership to our outstanding team of alumni and development professionals.”

Fraboni brings hands-on experience in every aspect of development and constituent relations, having served at public and private universities of all sizes in positions ranging from annual fund to senior leadership. He has built programs that continue to thrive and meet the priorities as well as expand the reach and reputation of the institutions he has served.

“I look forward to partnering with campus leaders at Trine to build on its culture of philanthropy,” he said. “I also look forward to working with an advancement team focused on engaging and building the relationships essential to supporting the university’s mission of preparing students to succeed, lead and serve.”

Fraboni most recently served as interim vice president for university advancement at Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, where he was responsible for leading all university fundraising and alumni relations programs. He completed the 2020 fiscal year at WIT with a 47% increase over the previous year in funds raised, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. He also developed WIT’s first comprehensive campaign plan.

Prior to his work at WIT, he served as vice president for university advancement and executive director of UWG Foundations at the University of West Georgia in Carrollton, Georgia. In that role, he initiated the university’s first comprehensive campaign and secured the single largest gift in UWG’s history.

As associate vice president for development and constituent programs at Georgia State University, he was a part of a $300 million campaign, the largest in university history, that exceeded its goal ahead of schedule.

Fraboni also has worked in development positions at the University of Hartford (Connecticut), Emmanuel College (Massachusetts), Springfield College (Massachusetts), Utica College (New York), Hartwick College (New York), Baylor College of Dentistry (Texas), Austin College (Texas), and Washington College (Maryland). He holds a bachelor of science in psychology degree from Springfield College in Massachusetts.

He has served with civic organizations including the Lions Club, Rotary and Chamber of Commerce. He and his wife, Linda, have two sons.

Trine University recently exceeded the $125 million goal of its Invest in Excellence campaign, which has provided support for operations and annual scholarships, capital projects including the Thunder Ice Arena and MTI Center, and long-term support through the university endowment.

Quincy University Names Robert Wyatt, Ph.D. as Their Next Vice President for University Advancement

FEBRUARY 8, 2021

Robert Wyatt appointed as next Vice President for University Advancement at Quincy University

Robert Wyatt, Ph.D., a longtime and accomplished leader in higher education, has been named the next Vice President for University Advancement at Quincy University. In this role, he will be responsible for fundraising, alumni relations, marketing and communications at QU.

Wyatt was selected for this position following an extensive national search. He will begin his work at QU in May.

“Quincy University has an impressive university advancement group and many recent accomplishments in alumni engagement and fundraising,” said Brian McGee, Ph.D., president of Quincy University. “Dr. Wyatt will be an outstanding leader for these talented professionals. We are pleased to welcome Robert, Nancy and Lara to the Hawk family.”

“My wife and I are very excited to join the Quincy University and the Quincy community,” said Robert Wyatt, Ph.D. “I am honored to be asked to join President McGee’s team and to help advance the vision he has brought to Quincy. I hope to learn from members of the Quincy community and will commit to working tirelessly to help advance the stellar reputation of the university and to honor its traditions and history.”

A native of Arkansas, Wyatt continues his higher-education work at Quincy University following a successful career spent at three previous universities. An accomplished academic and a professor of accounting, Wyatt is formerly Dean of the McAfee School of Business Administration at Union University (Tenn.) and Dean of the Breech School of Business Administration at Drury University (Mo.). In both deanships, Wyatt had significant accomplishments in fundraising for business programs.

Most recently, Wyatt served for over 10 years as president of Coker University (formerly Coker College) in South Carolina. During his time at Coker, philanthropy supported the construction of two new residence halls and a major athletic facility, along with the naming and renovation of the school of education. Coker’s endowment grew by 43% during Wyatt’s time as president. Additionally, the university received multi-million-dollar grants from the Teagle Foundation, the National Science Foundation and the Sonoco Foundation.

Wyatt’s professional service includes membership on multiple NCAA committees and councils, the South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities, and the South Carolina Tuition Grants Commission. He is a former American Council on Education Fellow and a former Sam Walton Fellow. While at Coker, he had many local leadership roles, including with his community’s Chamber of Commerce.

Wyatt holds a doctoral degree in accounting from the University of Memphis. He also has degrees from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and the University of Central Arkansas.

The news of Wyatt’s appointment at QU has been praised by his former colleagues. “Dr. Wyatt led Coker’s transformation from a sleepy little college to a dynamic university,” said Danny Johnson, Jr., a former Coker University trustee and chair of the university’s advancement committee. “This transformation was driven, in large part, by record-setting philanthropic gifts resulting from Dr. Wyatt’s unique ability to help existing donors buy into a new vision and his uncanny ability to bring new supporters to Coker. He and his wife Nancy are a fantastic team and will be a great fit for a school like Quincy University and a community like Quincy.”

“Dr. Wyatt’s extraordinary experience in fundraising will add a significant new dimension to our work at QU, and his deep knowledge of higher education will be an important asset to all facets of QU campus life,” said McGee. “The search committee and I were impressed not only by his many accomplishments but by his sincerity and clarity of purpose. We believe he truly is a servant-leader in the Franciscan spirit.”

The search committee for the university advancement position included representatives from the administration, trustees, faculty and staff. The committee was chaired by Fr. John Doctor, OFM, QU’s vice president for mission and ministry.

Founded in 1860 by Franciscan friars, Quincy University is celebrating 160 years as a small Catholic university emphasizing the sciences, liberal arts and the professions. Quincy University offers undergraduate, graduate and adult education programs integrating practical experience and Franciscan values. Faculty and advisors work with students to design customized success plans to help them graduate on time, find their passion and prepare them for life. QU is a member of NCAA Division II for intercollegiate athletics. For more information, please visit www.quincy.edu or contact the Office of Community Relations at (217) 228-5275 or communityrelations@quincy.edu. Quincy University. Success by Design.