Interim hired to lead Indiana State foundation

Advancement veteran J. Douglas Smith has been appointed as interim vice president for the Division of Development at Indiana State University and CEO of the ISU Foundation.

Smith was hired through The Registry, an organization that assists universities with finding senior leaders to fill interim roles on campuses across the nation.

"The Registry provided us with excellent candidates who have a wealth of experience, and I am very pleased to have someone of Doug's caliber serve in this interim role. I look forward to working with him to advance our fundraising efforts," said Deborah Curtis, president of Indiana State.

Smith previously served as vice president for university advancement and president and CEO of the foundation at Bowling Green State University, where he led the first comprehensive donor campaign.

Also through The Registry, he served in an interim role, leading advancement at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology for 11 months and University of North Texas at Dallas.

Smith is happy to return to Terre Haute, as the community reminds him of his hometown in Ohio.

"I look forward to impacting Indiana State in a very positive manner," Smith said. "I think the university has a very important mission of providing access to education to the young people of Indiana. It's an institution with strong programs, and I believe strongly in community service and preparing people to be lifelong learners."

He also has led fundraising efforts at The Leukemia Society of America and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Smith describes his approach to development as being donor-centric and that the foundation acts as a bridge between the donor's passions and the university's needs.

"We listen carefully to the donor's desires and get a strong sense of the donor's value set," Smith said. "When someone makes a gift to the university, we need to make sure we translate their desires to meet the high priorities of the university."

The areas of foundation finance, advancement services and stewardship and development within the Division of Development at Indiana State will report to Smith.

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Photo: https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Headshot-Proofs/QT-Headshot-Proofs/Doug-Smith/i-BPpbPT5/0/86bd6e6e/X2/Jan%2022%202018_Doug%20Smith-1614-X2.jpg -- Doug Smith

Media contact: Libby Roerig, director of communications and media relations, Office of Communications and Marketing, Indiana State University, 812-237-3790 or libby.roerig@indstate.edu