Spectrum - Volume 21 Issue 07 October 8, 1998 - Kessler appointed Development AVP

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Kessler appointed Development AVP

By Terry McGuire

Spectrum Volume 21 Issue 07 - October 8, 1998

Nevin Kessler has been named associate vice president of university development. Most recently, he has served as interim associate vice president for Development, during which time he directed the daily operation of the successful Campaign for Virginia Tech in its final year and oversaw all aspects of fundraising during fiscal year 1997-98--a year that produced a record $48.9 million in support from the private sector.
In making the appointment, Charles Steger, vice president for Development and University Relations, underscored Kessler's performance in meeting a number of challenging goals. "Nevin's managerial skills were invaluable during the last year of the campaign," Steger said. "He has demonstrated the leadership as well as the depth of fund-raising knowledge and experience essential to moving the development function ahead in the post-campaign world."
In his new position, Kessler will be responsible for all elements of fund raising for the university, including the operation of such central development programs as the Annual Fund, planned giving, corporate and foundation relations, development research, donor stewardship, and fund raising for university programs. In addition, he will direct the fund-raising activities of development directors for the colleges, Intercollegiate Athletics, the Smith Mountain Lake 4-H Educational Center, and the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center.
Kessler joined Virginia Tech in 1993 as director of development for the Pamplin College of Business. In 1996, he was appointed director of corporate and foundation relations and assumed the position of interim associate vice president for Development in October, 1997. Before coming to Virginia Tech, Kessler held positions in career planning and placement with the University of Virginia and the University of Pennsylvania. He has a bachelor's in history from Dickinson College and a master's in college-student personnel from Bowling Green State University.