With the close of its most successful fundraising year, Gannon University appointed a new vice president for university advancement.

R. Scott Rash, whose responsibilities include Gannon’s annual fund, corporate and foundation relations, major gifts and gift planning, endowment, capital campaigns, alumni and constituent relations, stewardship and advancement services, will serve as the new vice president for university advancement.

Rash succeeds Jack Sims, who will retire in July after serving the university for over seven years.  Sims oversaw this year’s fiscal year, with $11.3 million raised to date — the best fundraising in the university’s history. The Vision 2020 Campaign, also part of the university’s fundraising, surpassed its $40 million goal and will close in June.

Prior to his appointment at Gannon, Rash served as the executive director and chief development officer at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond for the School of Engineering Foundation.

Rash worked as the vice president for institutional advancement at Greensboro College in Greensboro, N.C., the associate vice president for development and alumni relations at Longwood University in Farmville, Va., and the director of athletic development at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Va., before coming to VCU.

Rash is Randolph-Macon College alumnus, where he received a bachelor’s degree in business and economics. He is also a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the Virginia Association of Fund Raising Executives.

KELSEY GHERING
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