College hires advancement director

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

Contact: Jan Williams, College of Veterinary Medicine, 612-624-6228

Sharon Staton joins College of Veterinary Medicine as director of advancement

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL (August 13, 2007) – Sharon Staton has joined the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine as director of advancement, a new position that will provide strategic leadership for the implementation and management of an integrated development, alumni affairs, continuing education, and communications team.

“We feel very confident that Sharon’s leadership will expand philanthropic and external support for the College by combining development, alumni affairs, communications, and continuing education,” said Dr. Trevor Ames, interim dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. “We are very excited to have her on our team to help advance the College’s strategic planning initiatives.”

Staton comes to the college from Fargo, North Dakota, where she previously worked as executive director of ACCESS of Red River Valley, Inc., a non-profit organization that seeks to provide care and support to children and adults with disabilities. A licensed social worker, Staton received a bachelor’s degree in social work from Concordia College in 1989, a master’s degree in public administration from Minnesota State University Moorhead in 1998, and a masters of social work degree from the University of Minnesota in 2000. 

“I am very excited to be working for the College to enhance our relationships with alumni, friends, corporations, and foundations to grow philanthropic support to sustain the programs and faculty efforts,” Staton said. “I feel that my previous experience will prove to be very beneficial and successful for the College.”

Staton will work with the University of Minnesota Foundation to engage the resources of the private sector to build and sustain excellence at the College and University.

"Gifts from alumni and friends build and sustain excellence at the University," said Judy Kirk, executive vice president and chief operating officer of the University of Minnesota Foundation. "Donors fund scholarships, world-class faculty, leading-edge research, new facilities, and academic programs."

Gifts to the College of Veterinary Medicine support student education through scholarships and enhance research through focused initiatives. During the 2007 fiscal year, the College of Veterinary Medicine and its coordinating programs raised more than $7 million in estate pledges and gifts. Major initiatives include fund-raising for the new Leatherdale Equine Center, operation and endowment gifts for The Raptor Center, and the new linear accelerator at the Veterinary Medical Center.

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The College of Veterinary Medicine improves the health and well-being of animals and people by providing high-quality veterinary training, conducting leading-edge research, and delivering innovative veterinary services.