Rounding out a string of high-level appointments made over the past year, University President Fr. Jeffrey von Arx, S.J., announced Tuesday that long-time Yale fundraiser Stephanie Frost will assume the position of Vice President for University Advancement.
Frost is the first female vice president in the history of Fairfield’s administration.
Frost will begin work in November, overseeing the University’s advancement programs that include areas of Development, Alumni Relations and Corporate Relations. She fills the post previously held by George Diffley, who retired in July after 30 years at the University.
This announcement comes on the heels of the appointment of William Weitzer, a former Wesleyan administrator, to the position of Senior Vice President. In this role, conceived by von Arx, Weitzer will serve as a principal advisor and chief of staff to the president. Last November, von Arx appointed Mark Reed to the position of vice president for student affairs.
Administrators at the VP level who remain from the administration of former University President Fr. Aloysius Kelley include Academic VP Orin Grossman, VP of Finance Bill Lucas and VP for Information Services James Estrada.
Frost had been given increasing responsibilities from assistant director in the development office at Yale in 1990 until her 2004 promotion to lead the major gifts team, a staff of 21 major gift officers responsible for closing capital gifts of $100,000 to $5 million from Yale alumni, parents and friends.
Fr. von Arx feels that Frost, who has more than 20 years of experience in fundraising at Yale, will take Fairfield fundraising to the next level.
“In order for the institution to achieve the goals that are now in place, we must build on the University’s strengths and significantly increase philanthropic revenues. With her outstanding background and successful fundraising record, I am confident that [Frost] will bring energy, new ideas and new perspectives to our fundraising strategies and processes,” von Arx said.
George Diffley said he is confident that his former responsibilities now “reside in her [Frost’s] capable hands.”
“From all that I know about her superb background, it is clear that she has the experience and creativity to identify many new ways to build upon what the advancement staff has been able to accomplish for Fairfield,” said Diffley.
Frost, who will begin work at Fairfield in November, “will need time to assess things and to work with staff to determine the most appropriate ways to assure Fairfield’s future success,” said Diffley. “I wish her much happiness as she begins this new journey!”
A Fairfield resident and a parishioner of the Egan Chapel for many years, Frost said she is delighted “to help serve an institution which has been and continues to be very important to me and my family and the larger community of alumni, parents and friends.”
Frost will officially leave Yale in late October.
“[I will leave Yale] with enormous gratitude for the wonderful learning and growth experiences that have been offered me and that I have benefited from during my tenure here,” said Frost.
“I look forward to immersing myself in the life of Fairfield, forming new working relationships, establishing strong collegial bonds and building upon the great work of my predecessor,” she added.
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