Gary B. Grant Named Head of Advancement at The University of Tampa

Gary B. Grant has been named by The University of Tampa as the vice president for development and university relations. He will begin his duties at UT on June 1.

As vice president, Grant will lead the fundraising, alumni and communications functions at UT and work collaboratively with various individuals and organizations across the UT campus and the Tampa Bay area. He will assist UT President Ronald Vaughn in increasing philanthropic support of the University, increasing public awareness of UT, building relationships and securing private support from donors. Grant will also serve as a key advisor to Vaughn on all advancement and university relations topics, and other institutional issues.

Grant comes to UT with more than 25 years of experience in advancement, which started as a phonathon caller as a freshman student at the University of Chicago.

Grant most recently served as vice president for college advancement at Washington College (MD). There he oversaw all fundraising and alumni relations, and conducted the feasibility effort for a major capital campaign. He raised the campaign nucleus fund to more than $53 million and secured two seven-figure gifts.

Prior to that, Grant served as vice president for institutional advancement at the University of North Texas Health Science Center, where he raised $31 million over five years and completed an additional $25 million campaign. Before working at the University of North Texas, Grant served at the National Alzheimer’s Association, University of Chicago Medical Center and the University of Chicago’s School of Social Service Administration.

Grant has also co-authored several books on topics related to fundraising on the Internet.

Grant said the UT position is very appealing, especially looking at UT’s recent successes and its relationship with the Tampa Bay community.

“The University provides a powerful economic impact for the region and educates outstanding leaders and talented professionals. Tampa, in turn, provides unparalleled learning experiences and opportunities,” Grant said. “Working together and with ever increasing philanthropic support, there’s no limit to what can be achieved.

Vaughn said Grant was impressive in his ability to be a collaborative leader who has worked closely with both internal and external stakeholders to ultimately benefit students’ experiences at the universities where he has served.

“UT is pleased to bring in someone with such skill and expertise at a time when the University is growing and transforming itself, especially in the area of development,” Vaughn said. “Fundraising has many challenges. But I believe Gary will have success in our ongoing philanthropic efforts to build a great university.”

David Stern, UT provost, chaired the search committee and oversaw the extensive national search. Stern said Grant’s experience and high standards will bring great strengths to advancement efforts at the University.

“Gary is a very thoughtful and experienced fundraiser, mentor and thought leader, and UT is lucky to have him as a member of the leadership team,” Stern said. “Plus, his clear commitment to the students and the larger communities where he served really distinguished him in the pool of candidates.”

Grant received his bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Chicago and a law degree from the Chicago-Kent College of Law at Illinois Institute of Technology.

Grant will succeed Dan Gura, who has served as vice president for development and university relations at UT since 1990. Gura will transition into a position of vice president of the capital campaign and assistant to the president.