Taylor Hanigosky and Bree Capel
tmh004@marietta.edu, bic001@marietta.edu
Director of Development Angela Anderson has expanded her responsibilities by filling a vacant role in the Advancement Office previously occupied by Dr. Joseph Sandman, who left the college this summer.
In the past, Anderson led one of three departments in the advancement office. Now, as interim vice president for advancement, she directs all three. The office manages college development and fundraising, alumni relations, and marketing and strategic communications.
With Anderson performing a dual role, the entire office is experiencing an increased workload. Staff members are pressed to continue the same quality of work, but now with fewer people.
“We have been down in our staffing for a while, so everyone in our division is working very hard,” Anderson said.
According to Anderson, additional staff is needed to effectively accomplish tasks.
Despite the college’s financial shortcomings and 20 college employees being laid off, the administration does not foresee any immediate consequences as a result of the leadership change.
“You will not see much of a transition from the student perspective,” President Joseph Bruno said.
Bruno explained this was because the advancement office handles large-sum donations and project-based fundraising, which do not contribute directly to the day-to-day operations of the college.
However, the work of Anderson and her staff encompasses the college’s endowment and future financial stability. According to Bruno, the college plans to hire additional personnel to fill the gaps in the Advancement Office. Though, in regards to Anderson’s role as interim VP, Bruno is unsure of how long it will be until someone new is hired to take over.
Senior Taylor Myers, president of the student body, is confident in Anderson’s ability to pick up where Sandman left off.
“I think Angie Anderson is a talented, experienced and devoted member of the MC community,” Taylor said. “I believe she was the right choice for interim VP and will be an excellent fit. I think we have to run a successful capital campaign prior to searching for a new VP.”
Prior to Sandman’s departure, he and Anderson were working closely together to develop a long-term fundraising campaign. This type of campaign funds a specific project or program that students, faculty and alumni agree is important. For example, funding for the construction of the Legacy Library was raised through a campaign of this type.
The current campaign is still in its beginning stages, and administrators will soon be consulting students, faculty, staff and alumni about the college’s priorities. Suggestions will then be narrowed down into several viable goals and presented to prospective donors.
Previous campaigns primarily funded new infrastructure and programs. However, the present mass fundraising effort will focus on fortifying the endowment to strengthen existing facets of the college, Bruno said.
