Lohsé announces retirement

Cheryl Brown Lohsé, associate vice chancellor for development for the past eight years, will make her retirement official on July 1, Beverly “Babs” Sandeen, vice chancellor for University Relations, has announced.

During Lohse’s tenure, UC Davis last October launched its first-ever comprehensive fundraising campaign—The Campaign for UC Davis—that seeks to raise $1 billion from 100,000 donors. The Campaign has already inspired 79,327 donors to commit $682 million dollars, as of June 5, 2011. Under Lohse, annual fundraising has exceeded $100 million for the past five consecutive years. Already this year, UC Davis has raised $103.3 million, through June 5, with four more weeks to go.

Lohsé also led the way on other philanthropic fronts, from establishing campuswide standards for development officer performance and operations to generating higher-than-ever levels of trustee activity, volunteerism and personal giving. A number of new units emerged under her leadership: the Campaign Cabinet and offices in Campaign Planning and Programs, as well as new giving programs for corporations, foundations and special and principal gifts.

“It is every leader’s desire to leave their team in a better place,” said Sandeen, noting that school, college and unit-based development programs have thrived under Lohsé’s service. “This is undeniably true in Cheryl’s case.”

Paul Prokop, currently the senior executive director of development, has been appointed to serve in an interim capacity as associate vice chancellor.

The campus is conducting a nationwide search to fill the associate vice chancellor for development position. More information.

University Relations restructured

The Office of University Relations will soon be divided into two new offices: the Office of External Relations and the Office of Development, Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi has announced.

Beverly “Babs” Sandeen, currently vice chancellor of University Relations, will become vice chancellor for External Relations and will have responsibility for Ceremonies and Special Events, Government and Community Relations and University Communications. She will also oversee the rollout of UC Davis’ new branding and marketing efforts.

When the new vice chancellor of Development is hired—a position the campus is currently recruiting for—that person will oversee Advancement Services, Alumni Relations, Foundation Accounting, the Retiree Center and University Development. The office will have responsibility for centrally coordinating and leading the conclusion of the comprehensive fundraising campaign and planning for a future, even more ambitious campaign.

Katehi wrote in a June 7 e-mail that by separating the larger unit into two new, more nimble teams, each office will be able to more effectively focus on expanding the reach and success of their respective missions—“to the benefit of the campus community and external constituencies,” she noted.

In light of declining state support and budget cuts, the chancellor explained, a structural change to University Relations is “necessary and critical” to engaging the greater UC Davis community and for boosting the momentum behind The Campaign for UC Davis.

“It is my hope that these two new departments will grow even stronger … pursue our vision and accomplish our goals as one of the nation’s leading public research universities,” Katehi said.

The Chancellor's Web site.