Indiana State University Newsroom

The Indiana State University Division of Development has hired Tom Recker as associate vice president for development.

A native of Michigan, Recker brings more than 25 years of experience in higher education and not-for-profit major gift fundraising.

"I am impressed with Tom's vast experience in the field of development. I am confident he will execute a comprehensive, broad-reaching program to raise private financial support for our university in alignment with its strategic goals," said Ron Carpenter, vice president for university development at Indiana State.

Recker will lead a development team of 12 people who will work to meet internal goals and assist the university's deans to meet their colleges' objectives.

"Tom has worked at several large universities including Purdue, IU and most recently at Maryland," Carpenter said. "He has been highly successful, and we are excited that he wanted to come back to the Midwest."

The Division of Development was created last fall from the restructuring of the ISU Foundation under the university's leadership. The division is responsible for identifying and building relationships with prospective donors, soliciting and stewarding those gifts. It is closely connected with the foundation, which retained its 501(c)(3) status to receive donations and manage assets for the benefit of Indiana State.

"Tom's experience will help the university's development division achieve its strategic goals. Private fund raising is the key to our continuing competitive advantage," said President Dan Bradley.

Recker has worked as the executive director for development at the University of Maryland since 2015. His return to Indiana is a sort of homecoming for Recker, whose connections to the state date back to the 1980s.

"There is no better time than now to provide access and opportunity to many young men and women through a college education," Recker said. "Today's students will shape our state, our nation and our world through the power of higher education. Indiana State has had, and will continue to have, a significant impact on changing the lives of our students.

"The power of philanthropy is significant," he added. "Through philanthropy, we allow the university to shape students' futures, provide groundbreaking research, and provide a strong academic experience, both in and out of the classroom, for our future societal leaders."

Recker was assistant dean for advancement at Indiana University's College of Arts and Sciences 2009-2015, was director of advancement for the College of Liberal Arts at Purdue 2005-2009 and director of development for the School of Industrial Engineering at Purdue 2004-2005.

He was executive vice president of the Grand Chapter of Phi Sigma Kappa and Phi Sigma Kappa Foundation in Indianapolis 1987-2004. Recker was assistant executive director for the same organization 1985-1987.

"I've spent over half my life in this great state," he said. "I look forward to the opportunity to use my skills and abilities, and more importantly to working with our development team, towards raising funds that will help Indiana State University to continue to excel."

Recker earned a master's in student personnel from Bowling Green State University in 1985 and a bachelor's in psychology from the University of Michigan in 1982.

He is the father of two teenagers.

"I'm also a huge college football fan, and of course a big fan of the Colts," he said. "And I still consider Larry Bird to be one of the greatest players to ever set foot on the basketball hardwood."

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Photo: https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Headshot-Proofs/Miscellaneous-Portrat-Proofs/Tom-Recker/i-xWwcnd9/0/X3/March%2021%2C%202017%20Tom%20Recker%209770-X3.jpg -- Tom Recker

https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Headshot-Proofs/Miscellaneous-Portrat-Proofs/Tom-Recker/i-z6DJnHt/0/X3/March%2021%2C%202017%20Tom%20Recker%209766-X3.jpg -- Tom Recker

Media contact: Libby Roerig, director of communications and media relations, Office of Communications and Marketing, Indiana State University, 812-237-3790 or libby.roerig@indstate.edu