Iowa State University
11-22-96

Contacts:
Jim Hopson, Alumni Association, (515) 294-6525
Skip Derra, News Service, (515) 294-4917

THREE FOUNDATION FINALISTS VISIT IOWA STATE

AMES, Iowa -- Three finalists for the position of president of the Iowa State University Foundation will be visiting Iowa State over the next several days. The finalists are Donald R. Gray, University of Wisconsin Foundation, Madison; Thomas J. Mitchell, Northern Illinois University, De Kalb; and John Joe Mitchell, University of Northern Iowa Foundation, Cedar Falls.

The candidates will meet with various groups including deans, directors and other administrators during their visits. Their schedules are Donald Gray, Nov. 22; Thomas Mitchell, Nov. 25; John Mitchell, Dec. 5.

Donald R. Gray
Gray has been vice president of the University of Wisconsin Foundation since 1993. In this position, Gray is in charge of the development efforts of nine colleges and schools at the University of Wisconsin including the colleges of Engineering and Veterinary Medicine, the Law School, UW Hospital and Clinics, and the Medical School. Prior to this position Gray was senior director of development for the UW School of Business. Gray has a B.S. in chemistry and mathematics (1964) from Mount Union College, Alliance, Ohio, and a Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry (1970) from Michigan State University, East Lansing.

Thomas J. Mitchell
Mitchell has been the vice president for development and university relations at the University of Northern Illinois since 1994. In this position he is responsible for overall planning and administration of nine departments including Alumni Relations, Development, Public Affairs and Special Events. Prior to this position, Mitchell was the acting director for development and university relations and Foundation executive director. He has a B.S. in physical education and business administration (1977) from Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, Mo., and an M.S. in educational administration (1990) from the University of Nebraska.

John J. Mitchell
John Mitchell has been vice president for university advancement at the University of Northern Iowa since 1988. In this position, Mitchell is responsible for the offices of Development, Alumni Relations, Conferences and Visitor Services, and the UNI Foundation. Prior to this position, Mitchell was vice president for development at Davis & Elkins College, Elkins, W. V. He has a B.A. in history (1964) from Hampden-Sydney College, Hampden-Sydney, Va., an M.S. in education (1976) from Longwood College Farmville, Va., and a Ph.D. in education (1986) from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg.

The position of president of the ISU Foundation was previously held by Murray Blackwelder, Iowa State's vice president of external affairs. The search committee to fill the position is led by Jim Hopson, executive director of the ISU Alumni Association.

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