William D. Speidel III has been appointed vice president for University Advancement.
In his new role, Speidel is responsible for directing a comprehensive fundraising program, including annual giving, major gifts, prospect research, donor relations, and athletics giving. Private gifts to the university have averaged $5.2 million per year for the last three years.
Speidel will also oversee the Office of Alumni Relations and the Advancement Services area and serve as liaison to the Foundation for IUP.
His appointment, effective May 1, was announced by David Werner, interim president of IUP, who said he made the decision in consultation with Michael Driscoll, president-designate. Driscoll will assume the presidency on July 1.
“IUP needs a robust and carefully focused fundraising program, particularly in light of declining state appropriations and the important role private support will play in the new Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education performance-funding model,” Werner said.
“I am confident that Mr. Speidel, working in close collaboration with Dr. Driscoll, will provide the stable leadership to move IUP forward.”
With Speidel's appointment, the Division of University Relations was renamed the Division of University Advancement.
“I am very excited personally and professionally to be named to this critical position,” Speidel said. “IUP is an excellent university with successful, loyal alumni. There is great enthusiasm for the arrival of our new president, Dr. Driscoll, which leads to tremendous potential for growth in private giving.”
Speidel came to IUP in February 2011 as associate vice president for development and has been leading the Division of University Relations since August 2011.
Speidel was director of development at UPMC's Passavant Hospital Foundation from September 2009 to February 2011.
He also served Butler County Community College for 14 years as vice president for institutional advancement and executive director of the college's BC3 Education Foundation Inc. In that role, he led the college's first capital campaign, exceeding its goal by $1.3 million; initiated a planned giving program; and established the college's first alumni association. He also supervised communications and government relations and redesigned the strategic planning process.
Speidel served as director of annual giving at Clarion University of Pennsylvania from 1986 to 1989 and as director of development from 1989 to 1995.
He began his professional career as program director of the Butler County Family YMCA and went on to work at other YMCA sites in western Pennsylvania and Philadelphia.
He earned his bachelor's degree from Slippery Rock University and his MBA from Clarion University. He has also completed course work in the doctoral program in higher education management at the University of Pittsburgh.
Speidel has been credentialed as a Certified Fund Raising Executive and received a certificate from the National Planned Giving Institute at the College of William and Mary. He is an active member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the Pittsburgh Planned Giving Council, and the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education.
He and his wife, Barbara, live in Butler County and are the parents of four adult children.