Grand Rapids-native named Associate Vice President for Institutional Advancement
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Grand Rapids, Michigan (February 19, 2008) - Aquinas College is pleased to announced
that fundraising specialist and Grand Rapids-native Greg Meyer will join the College
staff March 1 as Associate Vice President for Institutional Advancement. Meyer comes
to Aquinas from the University of Michigan (U of M) where, for the past seven years,
he has been Regional Director (West Michigan) for Major and Planned Giving.
Meyer has compiled an extensive and distinguished record in corporate marketing, industry relations and fundraising, working for such well-regarded companies and organizations as Reebok, ESPN, John Hancock Financial Services and the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sport. Meyer, who won the Boston Marathon in 1983, has since spent much of his career promoting physical fitness and, in particular, long distance running. Meyer has worked with Fifth Third Bank (formerly Old Kent Bank) since 1992 developing the River Bank Run - an event he's won seven times - and promoting physical education in local schools.
In his role at the U of M, Meyer helped the university surpass a $125 million fundraising goal for West Michigan as part of its Campaign for Michigan. Building upon his business, fundraising and athletic accomplishments, Meyer will help lead Aquinas' upcoming $11 million capital campaign for a proposed Sports and Fitness Center.
"Aquinas is very fortunate to have someone with Greg's experience join our team," said Aquinas College President C. Edward Balog. "His professional background, his world class athletic accomplishments and his warm personal qualities make him a perfect fit with our Dominican Catholic mission."
Meyer says he's looking forward to returning to his hometown, but feels President Balog's recently announced initiatives to increase enrollment and boost the College's endowment truly got him enthused about joining Aquinas.
"I am impressed with Dr. Balog’s vision for Aquinas and am excited to help make that vision a reality," said Meyer. "The Sports and Fitness Center Campaign is one for which I have an obvious passion, but I look forward just as much to the task of raising the Aquinas endowment for the many deserving academic needs on campus."
Longtime residents of Grand Rapids may recall Meyer as an outstanding student athlete at West Catholic High School who would achieve tremendous success as a long-distance runner at the University of Michigan. Since winning the Boston Marathon in 1983, Meyer has been inducted into nearly every running hall of fame of note and was named to All-American Cross Country and Track teams four times. Incidentally, he is the last American male to have won the Boston event.
Greg McAleenan, Aquinas' Vice President for Institutional Advancement, sees Meyer as a significant addition to the College.
"Clearly, Greg’s fundraising achievements at Michigan were very successful," notes McAleenan. "I believe Aquinas will benefit immensely from that experience and I personally look forward to Greg joining the Advancement team."
Meyer has degrees in education and social studies from the University of Michigan and a master's degree in education from Boston University.
Meyer has compiled an extensive and distinguished record in corporate marketing, industry relations and fundraising, working for such well-regarded companies and organizations as Reebok, ESPN, John Hancock Financial Services and the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sport. Meyer, who won the Boston Marathon in 1983, has since spent much of his career promoting physical fitness and, in particular, long distance running. Meyer has worked with Fifth Third Bank (formerly Old Kent Bank) since 1992 developing the River Bank Run - an event he's won seven times - and promoting physical education in local schools.
In his role at the U of M, Meyer helped the university surpass a $125 million fundraising goal for West Michigan as part of its Campaign for Michigan. Building upon his business, fundraising and athletic accomplishments, Meyer will help lead Aquinas' upcoming $11 million capital campaign for a proposed Sports and Fitness Center.
"Aquinas is very fortunate to have someone with Greg's experience join our team," said Aquinas College President C. Edward Balog. "His professional background, his world class athletic accomplishments and his warm personal qualities make him a perfect fit with our Dominican Catholic mission."
Meyer says he's looking forward to returning to his hometown, but feels President Balog's recently announced initiatives to increase enrollment and boost the College's endowment truly got him enthused about joining Aquinas.
"I am impressed with Dr. Balog’s vision for Aquinas and am excited to help make that vision a reality," said Meyer. "The Sports and Fitness Center Campaign is one for which I have an obvious passion, but I look forward just as much to the task of raising the Aquinas endowment for the many deserving academic needs on campus."
Longtime residents of Grand Rapids may recall Meyer as an outstanding student athlete at West Catholic High School who would achieve tremendous success as a long-distance runner at the University of Michigan. Since winning the Boston Marathon in 1983, Meyer has been inducted into nearly every running hall of fame of note and was named to All-American Cross Country and Track teams four times. Incidentally, he is the last American male to have won the Boston event.
Greg McAleenan, Aquinas' Vice President for Institutional Advancement, sees Meyer as a significant addition to the College.
"Clearly, Greg’s fundraising achievements at Michigan were very successful," notes McAleenan. "I believe Aquinas will benefit immensely from that experience and I personally look forward to Greg joining the Advancement team."
Meyer has degrees in education and social studies from the University of Michigan and a master's degree in education from Boston University.