Valerie Day has joined Elmhurst College as the new vice president for development and alumni relations.
Day previously was the vice president for advancement at Carson-Newman University in Jefferson City, Tenn., where she developed a $60 million comprehensive campaign to fund the university’s strategic plan, including support for the new health science building, residence hall renovations, performing arts center improvements, new programs and a $15 million scholarship endowment. She also secured $13 million in donor contributions for the development of a new nursing building.
“I am impressed by her range of experience in institutional relations and advancement, and I believe that this experience, combined with her genuine passion for the work, will make her a great asset to the College,” said President Troy D. VanAken.
Day officially began her new role at Elmhurst on May 8. She said the College made a strong impression on her from the moment she set foot on campus. “Everyone was so gracious and welcoming, with an authentic love for the school, and a desire to make it even better.”
Day has enjoyed getting to know the Office of Development and Alumni Relations staff, and said she “was humbled to have been selected to lead them as the College looks forward to the sesquicentennial in 2021.”
“I know we will do amazing things together to fund programs, scholarships and other initiatives,” she said. “There’s an electricity here, a wealth of new ideas, and all that is just very exciting for me. It has been wonderful getting to know some of the faculty and staff and I look forward to meeting alumni near and far in the year ahead.”
President VanAken added: “With the sesquicentennial and associated campaign coming up, we have a unique opportunity in front of us. Even though we’ve had some successes, the steps we’re going to take in the coming years, under Valerie’s leadership, are really going to auger well for this institution.”
Before her advancement role at Carson-Newman, Day served as the chief executive officer of Haven House, in Maryville, Tenn., and as an executive director for the March of Dimes in Knoxville, Tenn. She has an MBA from Carson-Newman and a bachelor of business administration degree from Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn.