Kennesaw State names new vice president for university advancement and development
Missouri State’s Michael J. Harders tapped to lead KSU’s fundraising efforts
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Georgia
(Jan 26, 2012) —
Missouri State’s Michael J. Harders tapped to lead KSU’s fundraising efforts
KENNESAW, Ga. (Jan. 26, 2012) — Kennesaw State University President Daniel S. Papp has named Michael J. Harders
as the university’s new vice president for advancement and development, effective
April 2. Harders will succeed Wesley K. Wicker, who resigned from the position in
October after leading the successful completion of the university’s first comprehensive
capital campaign, which raised $75 million.
Harders joins Kennesaw State from Missouri State University in Springfield, Mo., where
he has served as executive director of development since 2007. He was among a pool
of 45 candidates that vied for the position, in a national search chaired by KSU Provost
W. Ken Harmon.
“We are looking forward to welcoming Mike to Kennesaw State," said Papp. "His solid
experience in university advancement and his track record of meeting and exceeding
campaign goals made him stand out among the finalists and makes him a perfect fit
for us. He will be a wonderful addition to the leadership team.”
In his new role at Kennesaw State, Harders will lead the university’s comprehensive
advancement team, overseeing annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, corporate
and foundation relations programs, as well as alumni affairs. He will report to Papp
and serve as a member of the President’s cabinet.
During his tenure at Missouri State, Harders was responsible for restructuring the
development department, which resulted in enhanced donor relationships and increased
gifts to the university. While at Missouri State, he set new fundraising records each
year for four consecutive years. In addition, Harders was responsible for the coordination
of “Our Promise-The Campaign for Missouri State University," a $125 million comprehensive
campaign.
Harders began his career in higher education as a development officer for the Kansas
State University Foundation. Over his seven years at Kansas State, he was promoted
three times and held the position of senior director of development for the College
of Arts and Sciences before joining Missouri State. During that period, he developed
the college’s first five-year strategic fundraising plan and increased private support
for the college from $1.1 million to more than $7 million annually.
“I am excited to have the opportunity to work with Dr. Papp and the entire Kennesaw
State administration,” said Harders. “The university’s academic programs are strong,
and the faculty, staff and students are exceptional. I am truly looking forward to
working with the campus community, the alumni organization, the KSU Foundation and
our community partners to build on an already solid foundation to help position the
university for greater success in the future.”
Harders is an active member of his community and has held several leadership roles
in local organizations, including the Boys and Girls Club of Manhattan, Kansas, and
the Springfield Sunrise Rotary Club. He earned his B.A. in history and political science
from Kansas State University.
Since Wicker's departure from the vice president’s post in October, Joe Meeks, dean
of KSU’s College of the Arts, has served in the role on an interim capacity.
“I’d like to thank Joe Meeks for all of his support and dedication over the past few
months,” Papp stated. “He has been a great help to the university, serving double
duty as both a dean and as interim vice president for advancement. We highly value
and sincerely appreciate his leadership and contributions during this transition.”
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Kennesaw State University is the third-largest university in Georgia, offering 80
graduate and undergraduate degrees, including doctorates in education, business and
nursing and a new Ph.D. in international conflict management. A member of the 35-unit
University System of Georgia, Kennesaw State is a comprehensive, residential institution
with a growing population of 24,100 studentsf from more than 130 countries.
A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers more than 150 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its approximately 41,000 students. With 11 colleges on two metro Atlanta campuses, Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia and the third-largest university in the state. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the region and from 92 countries across the globe. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 6 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status, and one of the 50 largest public institutions in the country. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.
