Dear Alumni Community and Friends,
I am writing to share some personal news. After 31 years in Development and Alumni Relations at the University of Miami, I will be departing to join former UM Provost and new President of George Washington University, Tom LeBlanc, as his vice president for Development and Alumni Relations on March 1, 2018.
I have been fortunate, over three decades and under the leadership of three presidents – Tad Foote, Donna Shalala, and now Julio Frenk – to contribute to the University’s transformation into a truly global institution with a strong foundation of scholarship and a broad research mission. I was given the opportunity to build unique programs for the U that will have a lasting impact, among them: Legacy Admissions, Alumni Weekend, and national and international outreach programs. In addition, I am proud of the tremendous expansion in alumni and parent giving since my arrival, with alumni and parent donors and donations growing significantly through the creation of the Loyalty Donor Program, Parents Council and the McLamore Society. But I am most proud of the creation of the Newman Alumni Center, a home away from home for our more than 181,000 alumni around the world. It has been my privilege and an absolute pleasure to know and work with so many of you during that time … so many of you have become dear friends.
While I will no longer serve you in an official capacity, I will, as a fellow alum (M.B.A. '95), alumni spouse (Franc Arbide '87), UM parent (Kirstin '17, Kyle '21), and season ticket holder (Go 'Canes!), continue to support the University's progress with love and pride.
I will forever love our Southern Sun and Sky Blue Waters,
Donna Arbide, M.B.A. '95
Interim Senior Vice President
Development and Alumni Relations
