New VP for Advancement

The College announced on Jan. 14 that Colleen Fitzpatrick, a current administrator at Duke University, will succeed Jim Keyes  as Middlebury’s next Vice President for Advancement. Fitzpatrick currently serves as an Assistant Vice President for Trinity College and the Graduate School and also previously served as Assistant Dean for Arts & Sciences Development at the University of Virginia.

As Vice President for Advancement, Fitzpatrick will be responsible for fundraising and alumni relations for the College and its affiliated institutions such as the Bread Loaf School of English and the Institute of International Studies at Monterey.

In an official announcement, President of the College Laurie L. Patton said that she was excited for her former colleague’s arrival.

“I’m delighted that Colleen will join the senior administration at Middlebury,” Patton said. “Having worked closely with Colleen at Duke University, I know first-hand what a positive impact she makes and the value she places on an institution’s mission —particularly in institutions that have liberal arts at the center of their common life. As Middlebury has grown in size and complexity, and expanded the reach of our programs, the need to think globally and strategically about our relationships with alumni and friends has never been greater. I am confident that Colleen will build on the success our alumni relations and advancement teams have enjoyed in recent years.”

Fitzpatrick, too, shared her excitement.

“The opportunity to work with President Patton and the senior leadership team at Middlebury was irresistible,” she said. “Middlebury College alumni are among the most engaged and supportive in the country, as is evident from their extraordinarily high giving rates year after year. That is a legacy I will be proud to help build upon.”

At Duke, Fitzpatrick helped raise $418 million from 1996 to 2003, and an additional $425.5 million in an ongoing campaign. Her office also raised over $200 million in need-based scholarships and graduate fellowships during Duke’s 2005-2008 Financial Aid Initiative.

“Laurie Patton is fortunate to team up with Colleen again to further Middlebury’s historic accomplishments in development and alumni affairs,” said Stephen Bayer, Duke’s Associate Vice President for University Development.

Keyes announced his retirement in Sept. after five years in the position. During his time, Keyes helped spearhead the Middlebury Initiative, a seven-year fundraising campaign whose goal of $500 million was ultimately exceeded by $30 million.

In an email to advancement staff on the day of the announcement, Keyes concurred with Patton.

“I’ve spent time with Colleen and I’ve been extremely impressed with her development and alumni-relations expertise and her insights and perspective on higher education,” he said. “I look forward to working with Colleen during a transition period and I know you’ll join me in welcoming her to Middlebury and to our office.”