Marshall University Foundation
Marshall University Foundation, Inc.
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Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Contact: Dave Wellman Director of Communications (304) 696-7153
Samples promoted to Assistant VP for Development; Mayer named Resident Development Consultant
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Rebecca McPhail Samples, former Director of Annual Giving at Marshall University, has been named 
Assistant Vice President for Development at MU, Marshall Foundation Inc. CEO Dr. Ron Area announced today. Samples assumed her duties on July 1.
Also, Dr. Lynne Mayer, recently eligible for retirement, will continue to serve the university. She is moving from Associate Vice President for Development, a position she has held since 2002, to the part-time position of Resident Development Consultant, Area said.
Samples, who has been at Marshall since October 2004, now oversees all of Marshall’s development operations, including the University Fund, donor relations, development services and prospect management.
“Rebecca is a very talented professional,” Area said. “She definitely has the ability to not only oversee this area, but also to be a major player in the raising of significant gifts.”
Samples came to Marshall from the University of Charleston, where she was Director of Development. She previously was Development and Grant Research Manager and interim Director of Development for the YMCA of Greater Cleveland.
“I am pleased to accept an expanded role within the Development Office here at Marshall University,” Samples said. “The vision of our leaders, the commitment of our alumni, and the continued growth of the university have created a strong institution with a limitless future.”
In her new role, Mayer reports to Area, assisting in identifying and researching major gift prospects. Having been responsible for Marshall’s planned giving program as well as the donor relations areas of scholarship and endowment development for more than eight years, she will now serve as consultant to these programs.
“Before my arrival at Marshall one year ago, Dr. Mayer had planned to retire on May 1, 2008,” Area said. “As we worked together, I soon became aware of her high value to our operation – knowledge, experience and organizational history. Not wanting to lose her corporate memory, we discussed a revision of her role that would be satisfactory to her and allow Development and the Foundation to continue to benefit from her expertise. I honestly feel having Lynne in this role will significantly increase our major gift potential.”
Mayer has been at Marshall since 1970 when was she was hired as Research Specialist of Information Services in the West Virginia Research Coordinating Unit for Vocational Education. She has been with the Development Office since 1991.
Mayer has served in numerous roles at Marshall, including Special Assistant to the President (1987-1991) and Director of Planning/Assistant to the President (1984-1987).