A SEARCH FOR THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR ADVANCEMENT LYON COLLEGE LYON

1 Lyon College is extending a national search for its next mobilize all campus constituencies. vice president for advancement (VPA). The VPA is They will be responsible for aspects Lyon’s chief development officer and is administratively of the planning that deal directly with responsible for all fundraising and related programs. The constituency relationships, future VPA will report to and partner with Lyon President Joey funding goals, and the initiation of a King, at an exciting time of refocused planning, refined capital campaign. assessment, and renewed institutional vitality. Given President King’s breadth of experience in fund raising, By working with campus community, individuals considering their first vice presidency engaging in strategic development are encouraged to explore this opportunity. In plans, and collaborating with trustees addition, applications are invited from other non-profit and alumni, the new VPA will have organizations beyond higher education. The VPA will be the opportunity to make a measurable encouraged and supported by President King to assume difference in the life of Lyon College. a leadership role in increasing advancement efforts, The VPA will be invited to assume assessing the need for program and organizational office and begin work as soon as adjustments, and implementing projects of improvement. possible after February 1, 2019.

LYON COLLEGE LYON The VPA will be asked to immerse themselves in a 2 comprehensive strategic planning process that will About Lyon

Lyon College is a selective undergraduate liberal arts expansion, as well as geographic and college located in the city of Batesville (pop. 10,000) ethnic diversification of the student and in the foothills of the scenic Ozark Mountains. body, during the 1960s. In 1994, Undergraduates pursue 16 majors as well as several pre- it adopted the name Lyon College professional programs at Lyon. Ninety-eight percent to honor a family that had served it of Lyon students receive financial aid and the College with distinction for more than a half- offers extensive merit scholarships, need-based aid, and century. The College also created athletic grants (NAIA). ’s only student-run honor system in 1994. Founded as Arkansas College by Arkansas Presbyterians, Lyon College opened its doors in September, 1872. It was originally located on the “downtown” block now ACADEMIC LIFE occupied by the First Presbyterian Church. The College Lyon faculty members are highly was co-educational from the beginning and remained qualified, talented scholars who dedicated to a classical course of study into the early regularly contribute to their fields. 20th century. Full-time faculty, 95 percent of whom hold a Ph.D. or other terminal Lyon moved to its current campus in 1954; received degree appropriate to their field, teach LYON COLLEGE LYON accreditation in 1959; and saw significant physical almost all classes. A student- faculty 3 ratio of 12:1 ensures personalized attention for students athletic teams in baseball (men), and high quality instruction. Fourteen Lyon professors basketball (men and women), cheer have earned C.A.S.E./Carnegie Foundation Arkansas (co-ed), competitive dance (co-ed), Professor of the Year awards, a record unmatched by any cross country (men and women), golf other institution in the nation. WATCH THE VIDEO. (men and women), soccer (men and women), softball (women), track and Independence, honesty, trust, and respect are the basic field (men and women), volleyball elements of Lyon’s Honor System. When beginning an (women), and wrestling (men and academic career at Lyon, every student signs the Roll of women). In 2013, Lyon reinstated Honor pledging to uphold high standards of academic football, which participates in the integrity inside and outside the classroom. This includes Sooner Athletic Conference. Lyon taking exams without supervision and adhering to the student athletes comprise over 40 Honor System when submitting homework and course percent of the total student body. assignments. The Honor System is governed and maintained by the Honor Council, which consists of The College has nine residence halls student body members elected by their peers. The Honor two apartment-style living spaces. Council fosters a spirit of honor on campus and hears and The residential system was originally acts upon alleged violations of the Honor Code. modeled after the British collegiate house system, and strives to integrate STUDENT LIFE the academic and residential programs Campus culture is strongly residential, with over 75 of the College. Within each house is percent of students living on campus. More than 60 clubs a suite for a Resident Faculty Mentor and organizations, including Greek Life, foster an active who is a current college faculty or LYON COLLEGE LYON campus life. Lyon competes in the NAIA Division I staff member. 43 American Midwest Conference and fields intercollegiate An ethic of service is fostered within the academic SURROUNDINGS program, co-curricular program, and among faculty staff Batesville serves as a commercial, and students. medical, governmental and cultural hub for the surrounding region, all CAMPUS enhanced by the presence of Lyon Lyon’s handsome 136-acre campus is located in a College. The proximity of the Ozarks comfortable residential setting in Batesville. It features and the beautiful White River offer modern, attractive academic facilities including the black an abundance of opportunities for box Holloway Theater, Lyon Business and Economics hiking, biking, canoeing, camping, Building, Derby Center for Science and Mathematics, caving, rock climbing, water skiing, and historic academic buildings like Brown Chapel and scenic photography, fishing, and the Alphin Humanities Building. The Mabee-Simpson hunting. To help students take Library contains 215,000 books and sound and video advantage of these natural resources, recordings, and provides access to more than 20,000 the College developed the Lyon periodical subscriptions. Education and Adventure Program (LEAP), providing students with Recreational facilities include an outdoor walking track, information and access to many of regulation soccer field, intramural field, six lighted tennis these activities. courts, and a sand volleyball court. Becknell Gymnasium includes a fitness center and an indoor swimming pool. For four decades, Lyon and the larger Lyon’s state of the art student center and dining hall community have annually opened LYON COLLEGE LYON (Edwards Commons) includes a game room and cardio their doors to the Arkansas Scottish 54 room. Festival, one of the premier gatherings in the south that honors Scottish heritage. Lyon recently introduced a Celtic Studies minor with exposure to language and literature, and a strong emphasis on history. In addition, the Scottish Heritage Program at Lyon has become one of the most significant in the nation for students interested in bagpiping, drumming, or Highland dancing.

The Main Street Batesville project has worked for three decades to promote the city’s viability. During the last couple of years, new businesses and restaurants have been established. In mid-2015, the Chamber of Commerce, collaborated on a ten-year strategic plan that provides a long- term vision to promote organized, sustained community development. A strong town-gown relationship has existed between Lyon and Batesville for several decades. Batesville is 90 minutes northeast of Little Rock and just over two hours west of Memphis. WATCH THE VIDEO. LYON COLLEGE LYON

6 Advancement at Lyon

Since early 2018 the Advancement program has worked with counsel to build a foundation of solid engagement with Lyon College’s key constituencies, preparing the College to move aggressively under the direction of a new VPA and the leadership of President King, now beginning his second year. The incoming vice president will find a lean, but dedicated and eager Advancement team.

An engagement philosophy pervades the team’s approach starting in the President’s Office and running through each area of Advancement. Events for the president, wealth screening, monthly prospect management meetings with the president, and a collaborative Grants Policy and Development Council consisting of academic leadership and development officers are now in place, and a close review of database capacity is underway. An initial platform of opportunity is being established for the new VPA.

LYON COLLEGE LYON

7 The Agenda for a New VPA

The VPA’s leadership philosophy should reflect a current and future directions that can practice of setting high standards for self and others, influence their work, at the same time a style that combines collaboration and decisiveness, offering counsel to the leadership and an understanding of the variables that constitute an team regarding the impact of those independent college’s philanthropic culture. Candidates directions on fundraising efforts/ for the VPA position will find at Lyon a fresh sense of opportunities and on public (including mission and energy, introduced by new administrative alumni, friends, and parent) opinions. leadership. At this exciting moment in the College’s history when the opportunity to build upon and enhance EMBRACING THE NEW Lyon’s success is apparent, the new VPA’s agenda will STRATEGIC PLAN include: The new VPA will join Lyon at the propitious moment that a new PROVIDING ADVANCEMENT LEADERSHIP strategic plan is being implemented. Championing the comprehensive advancement and Immersion in these discussions fundraising programs are at the core of this agenda, as provide the new vice president is the work of the VPA as a member of the institution’s with an uncommon opportunity senior leadership team, where all-College issues and to understand and influence future initiatives are consistently in focus. The VPA will be in directions for the advancement LYON COLLEGE LYON a strategic position to inform the advancement team of program and fundraising goals. 87 Lyon’s planning outcomes will provide a clear road map building external constituent interest for the advancement program’s future. in these opportunities. Of special note will be the development of a robust alumni program, the College’s MANAGEMENT OF pivotal constituency in the long-term PEOPLE AND PROGRAMS enrichment of Lyon’s philanthropic In addition to the VPA’s singularly important partnership culture. with the president, the vice president will be called on to manage and empower the advancement staff. The VPA’s SUPPORTING THE skill at delegating, evaluating, and holding accountable BOARD OF TRUSTEES members of the advancement team will be critical. The In concert with the president, the VPA current organizational structure consists of an executive will play a key role in supporting director of advancement and additional direct reports the Board’s engagement in the in the following areas: alumni and parent relations, philanthropic efforts of the College. planned giving/annual fund, grants and foundations, Serving as the chief liaison to the and advancement services/prospect research. Additional Board on all matters of advancement staff cover the functions of gift entry, data management, will require enthusiasm, care for detail, records management, and other types of administrative strong instincts, and the presentation support. of focused data in timely and accurate analytical reports. Helping the Board ENRICHING LYON’S to be effective through understanding PHILANTHROPIC CULTURE of and engagement in resource As the new strategic plan is rolled out at Lyon, goals development for Lyon will be critical. will be identified for the annual fund (currently at $875,000), a comprehensive campaign focusing on ENGAGING THE endowment and capital projects, and deferred giving. COMMUNITY The VPA’s experience and understanding of all these The personal manner of the VPA

LYON COLLEGE LYON areas will be critical to their success at Lyon. In and their ability to communicate and addition, considerable work will need to be done in nurture genuine relationships on and 98 off campus will be important for this appointment to be effective. The authentic interest and participation in both the internal and external communities will be essential in developing an effective presence at Lyon and beyond.

Desired Attributes

The successful candidate at Lyon will possess a combination of personal qualities and professional experiences that match the expectations outlined in the AGENDA FOR A NEW VPA. The new VPA will possess deep integrity and should be authentic, energetic, creative, collaborative, and proactive. Background in college development work is preferred and capital campaign experience/ exposure is important. The search committee is aware that there are many pathways in advancement for a successful appointment at Lyon. The new VPA will bring the following attributes:

• A significant track record of successful executive experience in advancement, fund raising, and related areas, preferably in an organization of relevant size and complexity; • A person who is visionary, innovative, action oriented, and fiscally responsible; • Evidence of fund raising success as defined by measurable outcomes and substantial results; • Proven skill in developing, managing, and supporting a team of dedicated professionals; • A “doer” who will thrive on accomplishing objectives in a timely and gracefully aggressive manner, while motivating others to do the same; • Experience in motivating and managing a cohort of volunteers around various issues of an advancement program, including increased levels of giving and the cultivation of newly identified prospective donors; • An open and effective communicator who listens carefully, writes well, and speaks with clarity and inspiration; • Ability to build strong working relationships and a robust philanthropic culture with all advancement participants—the president, the board of trustees, senior leadership team, faculty and staff, alumni, parents, and friends; • A passionate proponent of the independent liberal arts college, understanding the distinctive qualities at Lyon; • A strategic thinker, who will understand and immerse themselves in the planning underway LYON COLLEGE LYON for Lyon’s future, and; 109 • Effectiveness in bolstering ongoing church relationships with the Synod, Presbytery, and individual churches. The Application Process

The Lyon search committee will be accepting nominations and applications on a rolling basis and until a new VPA is appointed. The candidate pool will be evaluated and narrowed initially in mid- September. For the most favorable consideration, applications should be submitted by Sunday, September 30.

Dr. Thomas B. Courtice is the search consultant assisting with this search. Nominators and prospective candidates may contact him at [email protected] or at 614-395-6631. Application materials should include 1) a letter that responds to the Agenda for the New VPA, 2) a complete resume or CV, and 3) the names and contact information for three references, none of whom will be contacted until a later stage of the search and not without the candidate’s formal permission.

Application materials should be submitted electronically to:

Clarinda Foote Chief of Staff and Vice President for Administration Chair, VPA Search Committee [email protected] All inquiries and applications will be received and evaluated in full confidence.

Lyon College is an Equal Opportunity Employer LYON COLLEGE LYON

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