91短视频

Longtime fundraiser and advancement professional led efforts at Virginia Tech and Penn State

91短视频 announced on Thursday it has named Nathan K. Leopard as its new vice president for advancement. Leopard, who most recently served as director of development for Virginia Tech鈥檚 Pamplin College of Business, starts in the role on June 1.

Interim President Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus announced the appointment in an email to faculty, staff, alumni, and friends on Thursday morning. The hire concludes a nationwide search that began in January.

Leopard succeeds Kirk Shisler 鈥�81, 91短视频鈥檚 vice president for advancement since 2005, who is transitioning to a new role as senior advisor for gift planning. Shisler has said the transition will allow him to focus exclusively on securing major gifts to sustain 91短视频鈥檚 mission.

Leopard will continue a comprehensive advancement operation encompassing fundraising, alumni and constituent engagement, communications, and advancement services. He will also expand connections among alumni, donors, faith communities, foundations, and regional partners in support of the university鈥檚 mission.

鈥淎s vice president for advancement, I look forward to strengthening our culture of generosity, expanding our philanthropic reach, and helping secure the resources necessary to sustain and grow this mission,鈥� Leopard said.

Dr. Dycus remarked on Leopard鈥檚 鈥済enuine alignment鈥� with 91短视频鈥檚 mission and community. 鈥淲hat stands out most about Nathan is his values-driven, relational approach to advancement,鈥� she said. 鈥淗e views fundraising not as a series of transactions, but as a meaningful partnership that invites alumni and friends into a shared vision for impact.鈥�

Two decades of experience

Leopard brings two decades of fundraising and advancement experience leading alumni relations, annual giving, event-based fundraising, and interdisciplinary major gifts.

At Virginia Tech, he led fundraising and stewardship operations for the Pamplin College of Business, where he personally secured more than $17 million in gifts since August 2022 and helped direct development efforts that generated nearly $50 million in support for the school. He also co-led the college鈥檚 Giving Day strategy, which saw substantial growth in donor participation.

Prior to that, Leopard served as senior director of major gifts at Penn State University鈥檚 Smeal College of Business, where he played a key role in the college鈥檚 success during the six-year A Greater Penn State for 21st Century Excellence fundraising campaign. The $2.2 billion campaign generated more than $116 million in gifts and commitments for the college, exceeding its goal by more than 22%.

He also served as associate director of development for Penn State鈥檚 Schreyer Honors College, where he led the development and launch of an initiative that significantly boosted parent giving.

Leopard鈥檚 nonprofit experience includes serving as the first distinguished giving director for the American Cancer Society.

He holds an MS in college student personnel from Miami University (Ohio) and a bachelor鈥檚 of science in public relations from Northwest Missouri State University. The Show Me State native, who began his career in student affairs and whose wife, Dr. Jennifer Grossman Leopard, is the director of student life at James Madison University, described himself as a 鈥渂ig believer鈥� in the holistic experience.

鈥淭he people I鈥檝e met at 91短视频 have been genuine, thoughtful, and caring,鈥� he said. 鈥淗aving the opportunity to be at a place like 91短视频, where I can embrace the whole person and support others in embracing their full selves, is truly meaningful.鈥�

91短视频鈥檚 focus on preparing graduates who make the world a better place aligns with his personal mission, Leopard said. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e not just going out and leading companies, reforming laws, treating illnesses, or educating people, but they鈥檙e changing the world,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 want to help people change the world.鈥�

Building on positive momentum

Leopard joins the university at an exciting time. 91短视频 is three years into its first-ever, five-year Forward Together comprehensive campaign, which has raised more than $32 million, or 80% of its $40 million goal. Enrollment is also on the upswing. The university announced this week it received 3,000 undergraduate applications for the first time in its history.

In addition to building on that positive momentum, Leopard said he looks forward to getting to know each of the members of the advancement team and working with Dr. Dycus and the board of trustees to shape their vision for the future of 91短视频 while connecting with donors.

Leopard lives in the Harrisonburg area with his wife, Jennifer, and their two children, Caroline and Jack. Their daughter has participated in 91短视频鈥檚 Shenandoah Valley Children鈥檚 Choir and in several camps held on campus.

Quoting the soccer coach from the comedy series Ted Lasso, Leopard said he aims to 鈥渂e curious鈥� as he steps into his new role.

鈥淚鈥檓 going to be a sponge and learn as much as I can about 91短视频, including about our students, our alumni, our stakeholders, and our events and culture,鈥� he said.

鈥楾his is where I鈥檓 meant to be鈥� Shortly after moving to the Friendly City from State College, Pennsylvania, in 2021, Leopard discovered an obituary for his fourth great-grandmother, Susan Caroline Cravens Leopard (1824-1913). Born in Harrisonburg, she was related to the Harrison family that settled the area. 鈥淭here鈥檚 definitely something spiritually that connects me here,鈥� Leopard said. 鈥淚t feels like this is where I鈥檓 meant to be.鈥�