'U' pegs new development VP

The University Board of Regents approved the appointment of Harvard University administrator Susan Feagin to the post of vice president for development yesterday.

"The prospect of working with the team that (University President) Lee Bollinger has put together is exciting," Feagin said.

Feagin is scheduled to begin May 4, replacing Vice President for Development Thomas Kinnear, who will vacate the post on April 30. As vice president for development, Feagin's responsibilities will include overseeing fundraising.

Feagin

Feagin "is a consummate professional and the organization is in very good shape," Kinnear said. "There's nothing we're doing that is outside her expertise."

Feagin is the director for university development at Harvard University, an office she has held since July 1996. Although she has never worked at a public university, Feagin said the transition should not be a difficult one.

"Michigan has always been in the lead in public universities for development - the recently completed campaign is strong evidence of that," said Feagin, referring to the $1 billion Campaign for Michigan completed this past fall.

Feagin is a graduate of Columbia University and has worked at both Columbia and Harvard. Bollinger said Feagin's academic background made her an attractive candidate.

"It's already a very large program that's absolutely comparable to what happens in private universities," Bollinger said. "She comes from within the university community. You really have to understand the academic mission."

Feagin said several factors contributed to her decision to accept the position.

"The University of Michigan is such a great research university and secondly, Lee Bollinger will be a great leader for the University," Feagin said.

During prior trips to the University, Feagin said, she had a chance to meet with members of the administration and faculty.

"I think it was helpful for me and helpful for them to meet and get a sense of each other," Feagin said.

Regent Philip Power (D-Ann Arbor) said he is pleased with Feagin's appointment and expects her to bring further success to the department.

"I'm delighted she has agreed to come here and I believe from many conversations with her that she shares our view - that the University is poised for extraordinary projects in the near future," Power said.

Although it occasionally peaks during football season, Kinnear said development is a continuous operation, and Feagin's mid-year arrival should not halt activity.

"There's no real season in development," Kinnear said. "Someone with her talents will not have a difficulty in terms of development."

Feagin said she is not concerned about starting in the spring.

"The important thing to remember is that there is an impressive development staff in place," Feagin said. "Things are in high gear. I don't think coming in in mid-year will make any difference whatsoever."

Kinnear, who is teaching this semester, will return to his position in the School of Business Administration full-time next fall.

"I love to teach, and I love to write," Kinnear said. "I've enjoyed this job tremendously, but it's time for me to return to what I came to Michigan to do."

During his time in the post, Kinner oversaw the completion of the $1 billion Campaign for Michigan fundraising effort.

- Daily Staff Reporter Katie Plona contributed to this report.

02-20-98