U-M higher-up recommended to fill MSU vice president slot

With the support of MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon, Robert Groves has been recommended to become the new vice president for university advancement.

Groves currently works at the University of Michigan as the associate vice president and campaign director for university development. Under his daily leadership, U-M conducted the Michigan Difference, a $3.1 billion fundraising campaign, which is the largest ever for a public university.

“I hope that I can help Michigan State develop one of the outstanding advancement programs in the country,” Groves said. “Michigan State is truly a world-class institution and it deserves to have a program that reaches out to its supporters, wherever they are.”

Groves’ appointment still must be approved by the Board of Trustees. If approved, he would begin in the spring semester.

The board voted in May to create a University Advancement department, which combines University Development — the university’s fundraising branch — and the Alumni Association in an effort to increase activity among alumni for university fundraising.

“I really think that’s the way advancement needs to be done and I’m just really pleased to have an opportunity to come be a part of that process,” Groves said of MSU’s department changes.

Groves’ appointment would partially fill the void in development leadership created when Charles Webb, the former vice president for University Development, left earlier this year to become the president of Spring Arbor University. Under Webb, the university conducted the “Campaign for MSU” last fall, bringing $1.4 billion in donations.

Simon said Groves’ past experience and knowledge of university development will be welcomed at MSU.

“He understands a university like Michigan State both from his agricultural background in his early days to the fact that we are a world-leading research university,” she said.

“He’s a proven fundraiser, but more importantly, I think he’s going to be the architect for the 21st century university advancement model.”

Trustee Faylene Owen said Groves’ position is particularly important in the current economic climate where state appropriations for higher education are dwindling.

“We have to look to development so that we can keep the best faculty and recruit the best faculty,” she said. “I think this position is of the utmost importance and we’re very, very lucky to have this gentleman with us.”

Before working at U-M, Groves, an Ohio State University graduate, held similar fundraising leadership roles at the University of Minnesota, Penn State University and Ohio State.

“I’m a firm believer that there’s no one right model (for university development), no one example,” he said. “The right example, the right system, the right policies, the right procedures, the right way to engage people is what works in the culture of the institution. I think we will have to find the style that fits Michigan State the best.”

Published on Tuesday, November 18, 2008