Advisory group named to aid search for vice president of advancement

An advisory group of Lehigh senior leaders and trustees has been formed to aid President Alice P. Gast in her search for Lehigh’s next vice president of advancement.

The group includes trustees Ronald Ulrich, Paul Leitner and Brad Eric Scheler, as well as staff members Frank Roth, general counsel and secretary of the board of trustees; Denise Blew, associate vice president for finance and treasurer/assistant secretary of the board; and Paul Brown, dean of the College of Business and Economics.

Gast will ask the group to advise her on candidates for the vice president’s position. Gast said she will play an active and key role in recruiting candidates, looking for those with the leadership, knowledge and experience needed to take Lehigh to a new level in line with its institutional goals.

She said she will rely on the advisory group to help her identify candidates whose vision and experience with a strong, centralized advancement function match Lehigh’s needs.

The search will begin immediately, with the goal of identifying finalists by early December. Nominations for the position are being accepted at inVPAdv@lehigh.edu.

The advancement department will continue to be led by John Norton through Nov. 1. Norton recently accepted the position of assistant vice president of institutional advancement at Pomona College in Claremont, Ca. In his new role, he will oversee individual giving and research for this top liberal arts college. The move also will allow Norton and his wife to live closer to family in California.

Kathryn Humphreys, assistant vice president of corporate and foundation relations and career services, will serve as interim vice president of advancement beginning Nov. 1. She joined Lehigh in 2000.

Gast expressed confidence that Humphreys will provide strong leadership. She believes that Humphreys will be an engaged partner to her and other university leaders in the coming months. Gast said she knows that Humphreys can count on the help and support of the advancement team. Gast continues to be impressed with the accomplishments of the advancement group and their commitment to the department and to the university.