Dear Members of the Campus Community,

We are writing to share with you that we have selected Barry Benson to serve as our Vice Chancellor for Advancement at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Mr. Benson comes to us from the University of Arizona, where he serves as the senior vice president of development at the University of Arizona Foundation. As we prepare for the public launch of our major campaign, it is critical that we have a talented, strong, high-energy and passionate leader in this role. Mr. Benson is a highly accomplished development professional who has a deep familiarity with large public research universities and experience in major campaigns.

It was important to recruit a VCA who had direct experience working with deans and academic leaders. Mr. Benson has directed a College of Engineering development program, and he has held senior leadership positions at a large public university foundation. 

In short, Mr. Benson has the skills, passion and energy to lead our Advancement team. Mr. Benson will begin his new role March 16, 2017. Thank you in advance for helping us welcome him to the Illinois family.

We also want to thank the search committee and all those who participated in the search process, and we offer special thanks to Ed Ewald who has graciously served as interim leader of the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement ensuring steady leadership during this transition.

Best wishes,

Robert J. Jones
Chancellor
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

James H. Moore, Jr.
President/CEO
University of Illinois Foundation