FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (10/6/04)
Contact: Lynn Stewart, Centenary News Service, 318-869-5120

Centenary Names Dr. Katherine R. Fell as New Vice President for Development; Launches Search for Director of Capital Gifts

Katherine Fell

SHREVEPORT, LA – Centenary College President Kenneth L. Schwab today (Wednesday, Oct. 6) announced the promotion of Dr. Katherine R. Fell to vice president for development, effective Oct. 1.

Dr. Fell is a former professor who has served in the Centenary Development Division since 1998, working first as director of corporate and foundation relations and then as director of development prior to her appointment six months ago as interim vice president.

“After concluding a national search for this position we determined that the exemplary skills and needed momentum were to be found right here at home through the expertise of Dr. Katherine Fell,” Schwab said. “In the 2004 fiscal year, Dr. Fell successfully led Centenary’s development efforts, raising record support for the annual fund and scholarships.”

Schwab also pointed to Fell’s lead in organizing the current Campaign for Scholarships and to successful first-quarter efforts in the current fiscal year. “We have a strong program in place, we want to keep the momentum going and we look forward to continued progress under Dr. Fell’s leadership. She has 17 years of experience at Centenary-both in the classroom and on the administrative side-and that makes her uniquely qualified to present the college’s needs to its many constituents.”

Dr. Fell will be responsible for the college’s fund-raising activities, including corporate and foundation relations, the Great Teachers-Scholars Fund, planned giving, scholarships, church relations, sponsored gifts, alumni relations and capital gifts.

A native of Stamps, Ark., she earned a B.S.E degree from Southern Arkansas University in 1976, M.A. from Louisiana Tech University in 1978 and Ph.D. from Texas A & M University in 1986.

She assumes the post previously held by Dr. Eugene R. Gregory, who was vice president from 1994 until March 2004.

Schwab and Fell also announced that a search is under way for a new director of capital gifts. The position represents the merger of two previously vacant positions: director of development and director of foundations, corporations and scholarships. The criteria for candidates applying for the new position, Fell said, will include fundraising experience in higher education.

“The director of capital gifts will oversee campaigns for building projects as well as for ongoing infrastructure maintenance,” Fell said. “He or she will work with foundations, corporations, and individual donors interested in bricks and mortar projects.”

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