KSU's Vice President for Advancement Resigns After a Decade

announced today that its vice president for advancement will be stepping down after nearly 10 years of service, effective the end of this month.

Wesley Wicker, who is credited with leading the university's first capital campaign, will begin work with East Cobb fundraising firm Sinclair, Townes & Company at the start of the new year, according to a release from KSU.

The five-year campaign Wicker headed, "The New Faces of Kennesaw State," launched in October 2007 and raised $77 million more than a year ahead of schedule.

According to the release, campaign gifts received over the summer, including a $500,000 scholarship pledge and $250,000 anonymously given to the College of the Arts' theater program, helped push the university beyond its $75 million goal.

“I’ve been here almost 10 years and it seemed like a good time to make a transition both professionally and personally,” said Wicker in a statement. “Deciding to leave was difficult, but I felt like hitting the campaign goal was a milestone." He added that he would have liked to at KSU before leaving.

“At a university that’s experiencing sustained growth, there are more funding needs than you’ll ever be able to satisfy,” Wicker said. “The trick is to match donor interests with the university’s funding needs.”

KSU President Daniel Papp said campaign funds have enabled the university to "add numerous student scholarships, construct much-needed buildings and facilities, and fund research to record levels.”

“There is a can-do spirit here that I think is unique on a college campus,” said Wicker. “I think that can-do spirit is contagious and invigorating.”

A search committee for Wicker’s successor has been named. Meanwhile, Joseph Meeks, dean of KSU’s College of the Arts, will serve as interim vice president of advancement.