The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) has named Kathy Buenger as its interim executive director of development, Interim Chancellor Mark Nook announced today. Buenger replaces Stan Gruszynski, who left UWSP recently to lead the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Office for Wisconsin.
The UWSP Development Office is focused on private-donor relations to meet the university’s increasing need for support, particularly to offset declines in state funding. The office also works closely with the private UWSP Foundation.
Buenger has served as development director for UWSP’s College of Professional Studies since 2005. In that role, she has focused on building relationships with high-level donors to the college as part of implementing its comprehensive development strategies.
“Kathy’s skills and experience will continue to be a great asset to the university as we work to build momentum by engaging individuals who share our vision of greater service to Wisconsin, the nation and the world,” Nook said.
Prior to joining the university, Buenger served in senior leadership roles as founding executive director of the CAP Fund of Children’s Hospital Foundation in Milwaukee, executive director with the national Funeral Service Foundation, executive director of the Cedarburg Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center, and communications director of the American Lung Association of Wisconsin.
“This is an exciting and important time for UWSP to reach out,” said Buenger. “We see many opportunities to strengthen donor relations with people whose own lives have been transformed by this university, or who want to make it possible, through scholarships and other forms of giving, to change the lives of the coming generations of Pointers,” she added.
Buenger assumes her new role today. Nook said the search to permanently fill the position will begin soon.
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