New director of development for the University of Southampton
Joel B. Munson has been appointed Director of Development at the University of Southampton. Joel took up his post on 1 December and will head the development and alumni relations functions as well as oversee the University's Development Trust. His arrival marks the start of an expansion of the University's Development and Alumni Relations Office and of its activities.
Joel comes to Southampton from the University of Oregon, USA, where he was the Associate Vice-President for Development. In his role at Oregon, he managed a $600 million fundraising campaign and directed annual and planned giving, special events, donor relations, prospect management and research, the corporate and foundation giving programs, and the University's constituency-based and central development office. Before this, Joel spent five years directing the first comprehensive $50 million fundraising campaign at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA.
"Southampton is a forward-looking university with an international reputation for teaching and research," says Joel. "It has ambitious plans for the future and I'm excited about working with staff, students, alumni and friends to realise those plans through the activities of the development office, ensuring that research and academic excellence at the University continue to flourish."
"I am excited to be here in the UK and to experience the richness of the culture and the generosity of the people. I am looking forward to making England my home," he adds.
Professor Bill Wakeham, University of Southampton Vice-Chancellor, comments: "Joel comes to Southampton with an exceptional track record in fundraising. We are very fortunate to have recruited such an experienced professional with a wealth of knowledge about development and university fundraising. Joel's appointment marks a new era for the University's Development activity and we are now in a position to significantly advance our development agenda."
One of Joel's first tasks will be to create a larger development team with a presence in all areas of fundraising.
Notes for editors
- A digital image of Joel Munson is available from Media Relations on request.
- The University of Southampton is one of the UK's top 10 research universities, with a global reputation for excellence in both teaching and research. With first-rate opportunities and facilities across a wide range of subjects in science and engineering, health, arts and humanities, the University has around 20,000 students and 5000 staff at its campuses in Southampton and Winchester. Its annual turnover is in the region of £274 million.
Southampton is recognised internationally for its leading-edge research in engineering, science, computer science and medicine, and for its strong enterprise agenda. It is home to world-leading research centres, including the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton; the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research; the Optoelectronics Research Centre; the Textile Conservation Centre.