McArthur named AVP for alumni engagement, annual giving

UB alumnus Thomas McArthur, a leader in alumni engagement, advancement and change management, has been named associate vice president for alumni engagement and annual giving for UB. He began his appointment on June 1.

McArthur will lead the university’s efforts to mobilize its global alumni network of more than 287,000, while advancing several strategic initiatives.

These include creating an inclusive alumni community that engages diverse graduates through programming and strategic initiatives; strengthening the power, influence and visibility of the global alumni network; and increasing the number of donors to the UB Fund. He is responsible for launching a universitywide planning effort to drive UB’s alumni engagement and annual giving strategy forward and leading efforts to create a nationally recognized program.

“I couldn’t be more excited to come back home to Western New York and the University at Buffalo,” McArthur said. “Deepening our engagement with alumni and donors around the world will benefit the entire UB community and our efforts to be among the top 25 public research universities in the U.S. The possibilities are endless, and I’m thrilled to lead this effort.”

McArthur previously served as assistant vice president for alumni and family engagement/advancement services for The College of Wooster, a private college outside Cleveland, Ohio. His accomplishments include leading a team to launch and successfully close Wooster’s Promise, a $165 million dollar campaign that exceeded its goal by $35 million and an alumni participation rate of 42%. Under his leadership, Wooster engaged 75% of alumni with a focus on engaging those who represent diverse identities.

“I have every confidence that Thomas’s strategic efforts will advance our university’s vision of excellence,” said Rodney Grabowski, vice president for University Advancement. “He understands the transformative effect that meaningful alumni and donor engagement can have on UB and appreciates that such support, from every corner of our community, will help us lead the way in public higher education and better the world around us.”

McArthur earned his master’s degree in higher education from UB in 2008 and his bachelor’s degree from Hilbert College, where he serves on the Board of Trustees Executive Committee. He previously held two other positions at UB, as assistant director for alumni and external relations for the UB School of Management and as director for constituent and alumni relations in the UB College of Arts and Sciences.