Higher Education

SUNY Geneseo names new Vice President for College Advancement

SUNY Geneseo President Christopher C. Dahl has announced that William H. Brower III has been named vice president for college advancement and executive director of the Geneseo Foundation. The appointment, effective Sept. 13, concludes a six-month national search.

At Geneseo, Brower will direct the college advancement division and manage a team of 28 professionals engaged in development, communications, and alumni relations. He brings more than 24 years of development and capital campaign experience, including 16 years at Hamilton College in Clinton, where he has worked since 1996.

“I’m delighted to have Bill Brower in this crucial leadership position,” said Dahl. “His proven success in relationship building and fundraising combined with his passion for liberal education will be pivotal factors as the college continues its progress as one of nation’s top public liberal arts colleges. On behalf of the search committee and the entire Geneseo community, I warmly welcome Bill to our campus and look forward to working with him.”

Brower has served four years as executive director of major gifts at Hamilton, where he led the major gifts and advancement services operation. Also at Hamilton, he served as executive director of annual giving and alumni relations during a $183 million capital campaign and as associate director of planned giving during a $108 million campaign. Prior to his Hamilton appointments, Brower held various development positions at the Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, Mass.

“I am honored to receive this tremendous vote of confidence and look forward with great anticipation to working with my advancement colleagues and everyone in the Geneseo community,” said Brower. “Without question, Geneseo has become one of the finest public liberal arts colleges in the country, and I look forward to reinforcing the college’s standing among its alumni, parents, friends, students and other stakeholders to help obtain the resources needed to ensure a strong future.”

The search committee was chaired by Provost Carol Long, who said Brower emerged from a strong group of nominations and applications.

“We had a number of stellar candidates, but the search committee felt Bill’s credentials and liberal arts experience, combined with his collaborative leadership style, best fulfilled Geneseo’s needs,” said Long. “We are on the home stretch of a capital campaign and are confident he can help bring it to a successful finish while laying the groundwork for future achievements in advancement.”

Also on the search committee was Jack Kramer, chair of the Geneseo Foundation Board of Directors.

“I couldn’t be happier having Bill with us and I welcome him to campus on behalf of the Foundation Board,” said Kramer. “It’s a very exciting time at Geneseo and I’m confident that Bill will continue to strengthen the philanthropic support the college needs to provide the absolute best educational experience for our students. I’m certain our alumni and other stakeholders will provide him with extraordinary support.”

Dahl praised the commitment and service provided by Debra G. Hill, who has served as interim vice president since May 1.

“My sincere thanks to Debbie for providing able leadership in the advancement division,” said Dahl. “Working with her colleagues and board leadership, she kept our campaign on track and built a solid framework for a smooth transition for the new vice president.”

Hill will resume her duties as assistant vice president for advancement, the position she held before her interim appointment.

Brower earned his bachelor’s degree in history from Hamilton. He also completed one year toward a master of divinity degree at the Harvard Divinity School and completed a program for financial planners at Boston University. He and his wife, Madge, have three sons.