A top fundraising executive for the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Health System has been selected to lead The University of Toledo’s Advancement Division, pending approval of UT’s Board of Trustees.

UT President Sharon Gaber announced Thursday that Samuel McCrimmon, executive director of clinical development at UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh, would join the University as vice president of advancement. He will start at UT Sept. 8.

“Philanthropy is key to the continued positive momentum of The University of Toledo, and in Sam, I’ve found a leader who will help elevate UT’s fundraising and messaging on a national and international level,” Gaber said.

Since her selection in March, Gaber has repeatedly identified as a priority a dramatic increase in fundraising, saying such a move is needed to increase the number of student scholarships, establish endowed professorships to help attract top-tier faculty, and to ensure that UT has the facilities it needs to advance research and expand its profile and reputation.

McCrimmon will oversee the merger of UT’s Institutional Advancement Division and its External Affairs Division into a single Division of Advancement including Alumni Relations, Development, University Communications, University Marketing and Special Events.

“I’m incredibly excited to be joining UT at such a transformational time,” McCrimmon said. “I have seen the impact philanthropy can have on institutional growth, and it’s clear to me this University can increase funding to leverage its strengths, improving the lives of students and the community”

McCrimmon said the ability to integrate the University’s branding and messaging strategy into advancement will be key to ensuring that all members of the University family have a clear vision of where UT is headed and how they can help UT achieve its goals.

“My wife and I consider ourselves to be midwesterners, so we are thrilled to become a part of the Toledo community because it feels like a move home,” he said.

He and his wife, Courtney, have two children: Evangeline and Duncan.

Gaber also expressed her thanks to members of the search committee for their time and expertise during the past several months.

McCrimmon started his fundraising career at Wheeling Jesuit University and served as director of programs for the Executive Service Corps of Western Pennsylvania. In 2004, he joined the University of Detroit Mercy where he advanced to leading the major and planned gift programs, providing strategic direction that resulted in record fundraising in fiscal 2010-11. He joined the UPMC Health System in 2011, and has overseen growth both of fundraising and infrastructure.

McCrimmon holds a juris doctorate from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, a master of theological studies degree from Duke University and a bachelor of arts degree from Wabash College.

Click here download photo of McCrimmon.

Media Coverage
The Blade (July 30, 2015)
The Blade (July 31, 2015)
13 ABC (Aug. 7, 2015)
The Independent Collegian (Aug. 26, 2015)
The Independent Collegian (Sept. 2, 2015)