November 11, 2002

Thompson named interim VP of Advancement,
interim executive VP for the Foundation

Robert E. Thompson

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — Robert E. Thompson, professor of marketing, has been named interim vice president of University Advancement and interim executive vice president of the Indiana State University Foundation, President Lloyd W. Benjamin III announced today.

“Bob Thompson brings considerable experience to this appointment including prior administrative experience in University Advancement, expertise in marketing for the non-profit sector and knowledge of the University and its constituents. His leadership will be important as we continue to move several important initiatives related to marketing and fundraising forward during this interim period,” said Benjamin.

Thompson will replace Dr. J. Robert Quatroche who is leaving ISU at the end of December to become vice president for University Advancement at Florida Gulf Coast University and executive director of the FGCU Foundation.

Thompson, who is on sabbatical this semester, will begin to assume some of his responsibilities in the near future and will formally assume the office following Quatroche’s departure. A national search for the position will commence in the coming weeks.

"I am excited about the opportunity and am looking forward to working with the talented staff members in the Division of Advancement and the University administration that has had unprecedented success in securing additional resources for the university as well as strengthening alumni relations. The coming months will be important ones in positioning the division for new leadership while moving efforts such as the integrated marketing program and the Lilly Challenge grant toward successful conclusions,” said Thompson.

Thompson served as a member of the School of Business Quantum Leap Group that helped develop the proposal for the $20 million gift from the Lilly Endowment announced last month. The funding will be used to create NetWorks, a program designed to provide educational and consulting services to the financial services industry.

A faculty member in the Department of Marketing in the ISU School of Business since 1984, Thompson has been at Indiana State since 1968. He previously served as the assistant vice president for public affairs, the director of university-community relations and the director of the Bureau of Conferences and Special Events. He also served as Director of University Marketing from 1994-95 and developed the university’s first marketing plan. His work was recognized with the 1995 Award for Marketing Excellence from the Wabash Valley Chapter of the American Marketing Association.

In 1993, he received ISU’s Caleb Mills Distinguished Teaching Award and the School of Business Faculty Service Award. In 1991, he received the School of Business Excellence in Teaching Award. He is also a regular presenter on issues related to marketing at regional and national conferences.

Thompson received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Indiana State and his doctorate in higher education administration from Indiana University.

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Contact and Writer:
Teresa Exline, assistant vice president, Communications and Marketing
(812) 237-2339 or t-exline@indstate.edu

ISU Public Affairs:
(812) 237-3773 or http://isunews.indstate.edu