Steve J. Schwab, MD, chancellor for the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC), and Rickey N. McCurry, president, University of Tennessee Foundation, have appointed Love Collins III, as vice chancellor of development and alumni affairs at UTHSC.
With an anticipated start date of May 1, Collins will jointly report to the chancellor of the Health Science Center and the president of the Foundation. Collins has held senior development and operational leadership positions at Van Andel Institute, Benedict College, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Florida A&M University and Howard University. He replaces Randy Farmer who will be retiring in June.
As chief development officer at UTHSC, Collins will provide the leadership and coordination of the development and alumni program with the six college deans and in collaboration with the UTHSC senior leadership team. The UT Foundation works closely with the UT System president and the chancellor for each campus to identify strategic private support priorities, create fundraising strategies and tactics, and implement development programs.
“Mr. Collins will be a dynamic leader and a great fit for UTHSC and the Memphis community,” says McCurry, who also serves as executive director of the UT Alumni Association. “As a consummate development professional with an extensive background in health science fundraising, Mr. Collins has the necessary skills to build upon the great work already happening within development and alumni affairs at UTHSC.”
Collins will also set development goals and objectives, oversee alumni outreach and giving programs, and foster close relationships systemwide.
“Mr. Collins brings a depth of experience at managing philanthropic organizations, garnering major gifts, and developing community support,” says Chancellor Schwab. “We are pleased to welcome him to our team, and we look forward to the insights and innovations he will bring to our rapidly growing development operation.”
Led by Aspen Leadership Group, the national search for the senior leadership position at UTHSC began in fall 2016 with a committee of faculty, staff, alumni, UT trustees, UT Foundation board members and community members. The search was co-chaired by Tony Ferrara, vice chancellor for finance and operation at UTHSC, and Shannon Brown, senior vice president, chief human resources officer and chief diversity officer of FedEx.
Collins received a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the U.S. Military Academy and a MBA degree from Emory University. He received an honorable discharge after serving five years in the U.S. Army’s Infantry Branch as an airborne officer.
He has published numerous articles and has taught many classes on fundraising leadership, techniques and skills for success. Collins is also past president of the Columbia, S.C., chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, where he was recognized as the Outstanding Fundraising Professional in 2009.
The University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc. (UTFI) is an independent not-for-profit created in 2001 to support the University of Tennessee’s educational, research and public activities. As the preferred channel for all private contributions that benefit students and faculty at the University of Tennessee System, UT Foundation staff members work with alumni and other prospective donors to secure funds for scholarships, professorships, research, outreach programs and other university initiatives.
Written by Chandra Harris-McCray, executive director of communications for UTFI