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The
Endowment Fund Names Two Chief Executives. . .
The Endowment Fund, the educational foundation of the
Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity, today announced it has named
Wade Garard, Indiana ‘90 and Benjamin Nicol, Valparaiso
‘00 as co-chief executives. As Managing Director,
Nicol will be responsible for Foundation operations including
the scholarship, grant making and annual fundraising programs.
Garard will lead the Foundation’s upcoming comprehensive
campaign as Executive Director. Both Nicol and Garard
will report to the Board of Trustees.
Previous to the Foundation, Nicol worked for the Phi Kappa
Psi Fraternity. Immediately prior to this new assignment,
he served as the Foundation’s Director of Operations.
"I have enjoyed the last few years working for the
Fraternity and Foundation; the undergraduates inspire
me and it has been my privilege to assist in the organization’s
successes and thus helping deserving students achieve
their goals and dreams," Nicol commented. Garard
comes to the Foundation after twelve years of capital
campaign experience. As President of Emperor Group’s CRG
Fundraising Division, Garard facilitated national fraternities,
sororities and chapter house corporations in various campaigns
raising over $40 million for housing, scholarship and
leadership initiatives.
"The Board of Trustees was very deliberate in our
selection -- our search for new Foundation leadership
has been focused and thorough" explained Don Fites,
Retired Chairman and CEO of Caterpillar, Inc., and the
Foundation’s Development Committee Chairman. "We
could not find a better duo than Ben and Wade to lead
the Foundation at this exciting period in Phi Psi history."
"The board was unanimous in the selection of both
men. We are thrilled Nicol accepted the position. His
track record leading a complex organization, as well as
his strong executive and personal qualities and his strengths
in fundraising, communications and planning are key to
the continued growth of the Foundation," said Fites.
"The Foundation board’s selection of Garard was unequivocal.
His proven accomplishments in working with donors on successful
capital and endowment campaigns make him the clear choice
to plan, organize and manage Phi Psi’s major fundraising
initiatives."
The Foundation is a leader among its peer organizations
with total assets under management exceeding $23 million.
The Chapter Scholarship Fund program is the strongest
of any Greek foundation and provides over $250,000 a year
to deserving young men -- funds directed by local alumni,
to best meet their chapters’ needs. The Foundation has
assisted more than half of Phi Psi’s chapters improve
their houses, add educational technology and refinance
or replace property through over $6 million in loans and
grants.
Nicol and Garard will begin their new duties on October
1, 2006. They succeed, Tom C. Pennington, Texas ‘80who
served seven years at the Foundation’s helm, as the organization’s
Director of Development and Chief Operating Officer. Pennington
now serves as the Executive Director of the American Leadership
Academy an organization that supports educational programs
in leadership, scholarship, service, citizenship and free
enterprise. |
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