Monday, February 11, 2002

WILMINGTON, NC – Patton McDowell, vice chancellor for university advancement at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, today announced his resignation effective March 1, 2002, to accept the position of Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Queens College in Charlotte. He has served as UNCW’s vice chancellor since June 1, 1999, and before that had served as interim vice chancellor since July 1, 1998.

As the university’s chief fund raiser, McDowell oversaw a growth in UNCW’s endowment from under $19 million in June 1998 to $23.5 million in June 2001. Annual giving to the university has increased from $2.2 million in 1997 to over $4 million. During that same time period, McDowell’s office also nearly doubled the number of privately funded scholarships for the university.

He also initiated the first UNCW Board of Visitors, a group of 76 distinguished individuals from across the state and nation tapped to assist UNCW in public affairs and development activities, to act as image ambassadors for the institution, and to provide feedback on university issues to senior leadership. The Board of Visitors recently formalized five priority areas to help UNCW: host events around the state, introduce UNCW leaders to corporations and potential donors, create UNCW awards and scholarships to be given at targeted high schools, thank donors and contact prospective students from their area, and increase giving among themselves.

McDowell has also revitalized the university’s Foundation Board and has overseen the implementation of a constituency-based fund raising effort, placing development officers within college and school administrative units.

McDowell came to UNCW in January 1997 as executive director of the Seahawk Club. During his tenure there, he led volunteers in their best fund raising year ever, achieving $550,000 in pledges and increasing membership significantly. With the Seahawk Club, he launched Project 2002 to raise $4 million for athletics facility enhancements. To date, more than $2 million has been committed.

“Patton has provided energetic and strong leadership for University Advancement, and we are sad to see him go,” said Chancellor James R. Leutze. “Queens will benefit from his outstanding capabilities in dealing with constituent and volunteer groups as he did in strengthening the Seahawk Club.”

McDowell earned a bachelor’s degree in English Education from UNC Chapel Hill in 1989 where he was a Morehead Scholar. He was named a 2001-2003 William C. Friday Fellow for Human Relations by the Wildacres Leadership Initiative. His community involvement includes serving as chair of the Rotary Youth Leadership Committee, development committee chair for the Wilmington Children's Museum Board, member of the community advisory board for the Wilmington Junior League, and assistant treasurer and president-elect for the N.C. Azalea Festival Board.

An announcement about replacement leadership for the Division for University Advancement is expected in the near future.

McDowell can be reached at 910/962-3626.