UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES WELCOMES NEW FUND RAISER

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Wendell Ogrosky, former vice chancellor for student and international affairs and adjunct professor of psychology at the University of Missouri-Rolla, has been named director of development for University Libraries, effective April 1, 2003.

Carolyn Henderson Allen, dean of University Libraries, said, "We are looking forward to welcoming Wendell to the University Libraries family. His experience and expertise will prove invaluable to our efforts in building a nationally competitive research library capable of attracting quality students and faculty."

The primary responsibility of the director of development for University Libraries is to secure private sector funding, to foster relationships and to plan and implement the unit’s fund-raising priorities and institutional advancement activities. This position reports to Allen, and to Clay Edwards, assistant vice chancellor of University Development.

Edwards said, "We are delighted to welcome Wendell Ogrosky to University of Arkansas development where he will be working on behalf of University Libraries. We are thrilled to have found someone who has a great deal of experience in higher education."

The Libraries encompass the David W. Mullins Library and three branch libraries: the Fine Arts Library, the Chemistry Library and the Physics Library.

At the University of Missouri-Rolla, Ogrosky was the senior student and international affairs officer, a position he held since 1987. In that capacity, he was responsible for a variety of administrative departments and areas, including student housing, student health services, dining services, orientation and multicultural educational support. He has also served as dean of students at Translyvania University in Lexington, Ky., and Longwood University in Farmville, Va. Prior to that, he was at the University of Arizona where he was director of student activities, assistant dean of students, an administrator and counselor.

Ogrosky earned a B.A. in history and geography and a master’s in education from Eastern Kentucky University. He earned an Ed.D. (educational doctorate) in counseling psychology and educational administration from the University of Arizona.

Ogrosky said, "I’m thrilled about the opportunity to come to Northwest Arkansas to help the University of Arkansas strengthen its fund-raising efforts during such an exciting time."

In April 2002, the University of Arkansas announced a $300 million gift from the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation to establish and endow a new undergraduate Honors College and to endow the Graduate School. Of that gift, $24 million is earmarked for University Libraries for a library acquisitions fund and endowment to support the Honors College. An immediate acquisition fund of $5 million will be used to update and acquire library materials. The remaining $19 million will create a permanent endowment for this purpose.