5/26/99

John A. Gehrm II. Photo by John May, Classic Photography.

John A. Gehrm II has both accepted the appointment as vice president for external relations and joined the external relations staff in preparation for assuming responsibility for the external relations operations upon the retirement of current Senior Vice President John Mays on August 31.

"I am pleased that a candidate who is both an alumnus and who brings significant experience and expertise to our office has joined us," said President Knott. "We will certainly miss the leadership John Mays brought to our external relations efforts but are confident the College’s fund-raising efforts will continue to be in excellent hands."

Gehrm is a member of the Tusculum College class of 1966. After attending Tusculum College, Gehrm received the bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Salisbury State University in Maryland. After a seven-year career in business, including four with IBM, he entered development work. Gehrm has served for eighteen years in various development capacities at North Carolina State University, Florida State University and Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah, Georgia. At Armstrong Atlantic, Gehrm was vice president for university advancement. Most recently he served as director of development at the Bethesda Home for Boys in Savannah. Founded in 1740, Bethesda is the oldest home for children in the United States.

"I really consider external relations an important team effort," says Gehrm. "I like to draw on the creativity of a dedicated staff. I’m excited about the challenges here. I wish all alumni could see the wonderful job that the current administration has done to strengthen our college. I want to help build on the remarkable progress of the last ten years."

Gehrm is married to Hester Proctor Gehrm, whom he met during his years in Tallahassee. She holds a degree from Florida State University and earned the MBA from the College of William and Mary. She was in banking prior to their marriage.

Gehrm will be working to appoint several External Relations staff members and, with the help of John Mays, meet as many key friends as possible this summer.