MSSU advertises for fundraising guru

Now that the publicity campaign that greeted the ascension of Bruce Speck to the presidency of Missouri Southern State University has died down, it is time for the college to face the cold, hard facts- Speck, who was praised as a fundraising Messiah when his coach and six white horses arrived from Austin Peay, couldn't raise money with a forklift and two automatic weapons.

As I have said before. It is unfair for me to criticize Speck, when it is obvious he has found a surefire way to raise funds- hire other people to do the heavy lifting.
The university placed the following advertisement in the Chronicle for Higher Education:

Missouri Southern State University invites applications for a new position of Vice President for University Development and Executive Director of the University Foundation

The Position: As the Vice President for University Development, this person reports to the President of the university. As the Executive Director of the University Foundation, this person reports to the University Foundation. In general, the Vice President will be responsible for providing collaborative strategic leadership and daily management of the University's Development area. The Director of University Relations and Marketing, the Director of Alumni Affairs, an administrative secretary, and two fund raisers will report to the Vice President for University Development. Key activities managed by the position include soliciting major gifts, cultivating corporate/foundation gifts, conducting the annual campaign, enhancing and developing alumni chapters, coordinating alumni events, publishing the alumni magazine, maintaining the development database, developing planned giving, and coordinating external relations functions, including web management and public relations.

Qualifications: The successful candidate will possess at a minimum both bachelor's and master's degrees from accredited institutions of higher learning. An earned doctorate would be a preferred credential. Five years experience in successful fund raising preferably at an educational institution or non-profit institution as well as proven experience with a variety of constituents and stakeholders and a progressive level of administrative experience is required.

The Institution: Founded in 1937 as a Junior College, MSSU has grown to a public university offering Bachelor's and Master's degrees with a student population of approximately 5,600. Inherent in its international approach to undergraduate education is the University's desire to prepare its students to understand world affairs, international issues, and other cultures as seen through their history, geography, language, literature, philosophy, economics, and politics. The faculty and staff emphasize quality teaching and learning as the most important attributes of the institution, complemented by scholarly and creative expression and dedicated community service. MSSU also offers the option of distance learning which is a unique opportunity for students and faculty.

The modern, attractive 373 acre campus is in the midst of a $35 million dollar new construction program which includes an academic building to house health sciences programs, a new student recreation center and health clinic, and the renovation of the student union.

MSSU is located in Joplin, Missouri in the southwest corner of the state. Joplin is a friendly city of more than 47,000 with a market area of nearly 500,000. The campus and community provide a variety of cultural pursuits and the surrounding area provides a variety of outdoor recreational activities.

To Apply: Send a confidential letter of application, current resume and the names, telephone numbers and email addresses of five professional references electronically via e-mail to VPdev@mssu.edu. References will be held in confidence, and will not be contacted until semifinalists have been identified by the search committee and have given their permission. Review of applicants will begin June 1, 2009.

Recruitment will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. MSSU offers a competitive salary and benefits package.

MSSU is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Earlier talks indicated the competitive salary would probably be in the six-figure range.

A tip to Bruce Speck, and to Dwight Douglas and the MSSU Board of Governors- It's easier to raise money when you're not making a laughingstock of the university.

Heck, even Bruce Speck might be able to do it.