Susan Vance, well known in Greene County for her successful work in community service organizations, has accepted the position of director of alumni relations and annual giving at Tusculum College. She began her new duties at Tusculum Oct. 1 after having served as marketing and corporate development manager for Family Ministries. Vance is a 1991 graduate of Tusculum. Her responsibilities at the college include coordination of alumni activities and programs and oversight of the annual giving efforts.
Announcement of her change in position was made jointly by Tusculum College and Family Ministries. "We are looking forward to having Susan join the Tusculum staff," said College President Dr. Dolphus E. Henry. "With her enthusiasm for Tusculum and experience in building successful community programs, Susan brings a wealth of knowledge and potential to this position, which is so critical in continuing and strengthening the college's relationship with its alumni."
The selection of Vance for the position came after a national search process, which included the participation of the college's alumni leadership. Dr. Henry commended Tusculum staff member Robin Crabtree for her efforts during the interim period as she assumed the responsibilities of the alumni director in addition to her prior duties as director of corporate and foundations relations. Her regular duties will now also include providing assistance to Vance as she takes the helm of alumni relations and annual giving. "Thanks to Robin Crabtree, we've been able to carry on the functions of the Alumni department even without a full-time director in place," said Dr. Henry. "She has laid a strong foundation upon which Susan can now build, with Robin continuing to provide assistance as needed."
Vance has served at Family Ministries, a nonprofit Christian child and family care ministry located in the Camp Creek community, since February 2002. The position had been created after a feasibility study, performed in preparation for a capital campaign, indicated a great need for a marketing position. She stressed that her decision to leave Family Ministries was difficult and was made only after much prayerful consideration.
"I am grateful for the opportunity that I have had to work for Dr. (James) Kilgore, (executive director) at Family Ministries," said Vance. "Although I will always have a high regard for their staff and board as they continue providing exceptional care to hurting children, I am very excited about the opportunity I now have to give something back to my alma mater, Tusculum College. This is a very exciting time for Tusculum and am honored that I have the chance to be a part of that. I am looking forward to working with the staff, alumni and donors of Tusculum, and hope to continue working with Family Ministries in a different capacity."
In her position at Family Ministries, Vance assisted in raising $1.1 million dollars for its capital campaign, organizing key events and orchestrating a Campaign Operations Committee consisting of key individuals from across the region. She also generated a donor base of more than 500 individuals and corporations from Knoxville to Southwest Virginia, the primary marketing area for Family Ministries. Vance was also instrumental in efforts to increase the Family Ministries visibility in the community and its participation in other community programs such as Greeneville-Greene County Promise and Partners In Education. One of her major accomplishments was the creation of a Greeneville Christian Leadership Roundtable this spring, based on similar organizations in the Tri-Cities.
Most recently, Vance organized a fundraiser held on August 12 for the Hope Center, a crisis pregnancy center and division of Family Ministries, which generated more than $25,000 for the center, which operates entirely on donations.
In addition to her work at Family Ministries, Vance is active in the community, serving as chairman of the Second Annual Kidney Walk for Greeneville and Greene County this year, which generated more than $14,000 for the agency. She also served on the steering committee for Kid's Day and is serving as chairman of the Champions Dinner, both projects of the Boys and Girls Club. She serves on the board of directors for the Boys and Girls Club of Greeneville and Greene County, Volunteer Center of Greeneville and Greene County, Association of Fundraising Professionals - Mountain Empire Chapter, and the National Kidney Foundation. She is also serving on the National Philanthropy Day Committee, Interagency and recently joined the Kiwanis Club of Greeneville.
Vance was named a "40 Under Forty" designee in 2002, an award presented to 40 young men and women throughout East Tennessee under the age of 40 who are considered future business leaders.
Vance's professional experience also includes six years of service at the Greene County Partnership, including three years as director of Keep Greene Clean, now Keep Greene Beautiful. She also served as director of EcoQuest International's first internal public relations department during 2001-02.
"We are very proud of the fact that another organization has recognized Susan's capabilities, energy level and accomplishments, though we are saddened to see her go," said Dr. James Kilgore of Family Ministries. "We know that our loss is Tusculum's gain. Susan has made a commitment to us to continue to support us in all that we do and continue working with us in regards to the Greeneville Christian Leadership Roundtable in an effort to assure a smooth transition. She has been a tremendous asset to Family Ministries by bringing us to the forefront not only in our community but also across the region. Without her commitment and dedication, that would not have been possible. We wish her the very best as she assumes her new position at Tusculum."
Vance lives in the South Greene community with her son, Austin Dale, and attends Victory Church of God, where she is the organist and serves on the Executive Council.