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Thomas named enrollment vice president

Thomas

ELKINS — Dr. Rosemary Thomas, a native of West Virginia and current chief operating officer for the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, has been appointed vice president of enrollment management and institutional advancement at Davis & Elkins College. She will begin her duties on July 1.

In announcing the appointment, D&E President Chris A. Wood said Thomas will have a very positive impact upon the forward momentum of the college.

“D&E is fortunate to have someone of Dr. Thomas’ competence and experience to be joining our leadership,” Wood said. “I am overjoyed to welcome her back home to West Virginia, and to work cooperatively with her to increase our enrollment and philanthropic support, and secure the promising future of this college that is a West Virginia gem. Both Lisa and I have known Rosemary for many years, and I can attest to her extraordinary skills, passion for higher education, strong work ethic and impeccable character.”

In her new role, Thomas will oversee operations of the Office of Admission, student retention efforts and the Office of Institutional Advancement, which includes alumni, church relations and development, along with communications and marketing. She also will serve as a member of the president’s senior management team.

“Joining President Wood’s team is exciting as we focus on the journey and help shape the future of this prestigious college,” Thomas said. “The college has a stellar reputation and one I’ve admired from both near and far throughout my lifetime.”

A native of Fairmont, Thomas and her parents lived in Elkins for a short time in the early 1970s and still have close ties to the area. Thomas brings to D&E an extensive background in management and higher education. In her current role with the GFWC, headquartered in Washington, D.C., Thomas manages daily operations for the international women’s organization made up of nearly 100,000 members and 3,000 clubs. She also serves as liaison to the executive committee and board of directors, coordinates federal advocacy efforts and public affairs agenda and oversees management of partnerships with national and international organizations, among other duties. Prior to working with the GFWC, Thomas was vice president for university advancement and executive director of the FSU Foundation at Frostburg State University in Frostburg, Maryland. There, she developed a new marketing and branding campaign and helped create an alumni center. Thomas has held similar positions at colleges and universities in Florida, Maryland and West Virginia. She plans to combine her experience in marketing and branding, fundraising, enrollment management and alumni and community relations to benefit D&E.

“We have an opportunity to strategically and responsibly grow enrollment with a tremendous admission staff working hand in hand with a dedicated institutional advancement team,” Thomas said. “Current students and alumni are the best advocates and recruiters money can’t buy. … Together we will get the word out and make sure D&E is squarely on the radar of future students along with parents, teachers, coaches and clergy who are part of the decision making process.”

At Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, Florida, she served as vice president for university advancement and executive director of the FGCU Foundation, raising $10 million in six months. As vice president for university advancement and executive director of the SU Foundation at Salisbury University in Salisbury, Maryland, Thomas raised $40 million for the capital campaign, integrated the marketing and branding effort and focused on sports information. While serving as vice president for college advancement and executive director of the GSC Foundation at Glenville State College in Glenville, Thomas secured a gift for a new stadium with artificial turf, created the annual fund and established a public and private housing partnership. Thomas started her career in higher education at Fairmont State (College) University in Fairmont, where she held various positions: associate vice president for institutional advancement, assistant director of institutional advancement and director of alumni relations. There, she took the lead on campaign planning and scholarship programs and created a Lifelong Learning program.

Thomas earned a doctorate of education in educational leadership from West Virginia University in 2007 and was an honors graduate at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, South Carolina, with a master’s degree in public administration in 1992. She graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina, in 1990.

With a devotion to community service and volunteerism, Thomas serves as assistant director of the American Legion Auxiliary West Virginia Girls State as well as being a member of the Board of Incorporators. She previously served as a member of the South Atlantic Division Board of Directors of the American Cancer Society and was a member of the Nationwide Training Team for Relay For Life. A lifelong United Way volunteer, Thomas has maintained her involvement both in Marion County and her communities of residence.

“‘Take Me Home, Country Roads’ is not just a song … it’s a way of life and it gives me a great sense of comfort knowing I can find my way back armed with the skill set I’ve been privileged to assemble through the years,” Thomas said.

More information about D&E College is available online at www.dewv.edu or by calling 304-637-1243.

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