University of Arkansas Appoints Choate as Vice Chancellor for University Advancement

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Bradford E. Choate

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Bradford E. Choate, vice president of university advancement at the University of South Carolina and regarded as one of the nation’s top fundraising executives, has been appointed vice chancellor for university advancement at the University of Arkansas after a national search.

Choate, 51, will succeed G. David Gearhart on July 1, when Gearhart assumes the role of chancellor. Choate and Gearhart previously worked together at The Pennsylvania State University from 1990 to 1995, when Gearhart was senior vice president for development and university relations there.

“As someone who has spent a career in the advancement profession, including the last 10 years at the University of Arkansas, I felt strongly that we needed to get an experienced professional with exhibited success in higher education advancement at the highest levels,” said Gearhart, who led the search committee charged with finding his successor. “In naming Brad Choate to this key position, we’ve exceeded that expectation by bringing one of the absolute best in the advancement business to Arkansas.

“Brad is highly respected nationwide, has a strong understanding of our goals and where we need to be, and will help position the University of Arkansas to achieve greater heights in the years ahead. I’m thrilled to be able to work alongside him again,” he added.

As vice president for university advancement, Choate has been responsible for fundraising and advancement units at the University of South Carolina’s eight campuses — Aiken, Beaufort, Upstate (Spartanburg-Greenville), Lancaster, Sumter, Union, Salkehatchie, and the flagship location in Columbia, which like the University of Arkansas is a member of the Southeastern Conference. The system enrolls nearly 40,000 students and employs more than 2,000 faculty.

Specifically, Choate administers the offices of advancement administration, communications, media relations, development, state government relations, and the Carolina Alumni Association.

In his new role at the University of Arkansas, Choate will oversee the development, alumni, constituent relations, special events and university relations programs.

“Julie and I are very excited to join the University of Arkansas family,” said Choate. “We have had the opportunity to visit the state and university several times over the years and know it to be a wonderful area and institution. The university has made great strides forward in the past several years, and I am thrilled to be part of an effort to move the university to even higher achievements.”

“This is a very special time and opportunity for the University of Arkansas with Dave Gearhart becoming chancellor,” he added. “I know Dave to be a consummate professional and look forward to once again being on his team.”

Prior to arriving at South Carolina, Choate was president and chief executive officer of the Minnesota Medical Foundation from 1996 to 2006. Located in Minneapolis, the foundation is an independent organization dedicated to the advancement of health-related education, research and service at the University of Minnesota. It holds assets of approximately $300 million, and under Choate’s direction the foundation completed a $516-million campaign — a seven-year effort that raised more money than during the previous 100-plus year history of the medical school.

In 2004, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education named Choate the winner of the CASE Commonfund Institutionally Related Foundation Award recognizing his leadership and exemplary professionalism. The award recognized Choate for making great strides in the development and quality of the Minnesota Medical Foundation and for providing significant service to the community of institutionally related foundations.

While at Penn State from 1990 to 1996, Choate served as associate vice president for development and university relations — the number two position in the division under Gearhart. He was primarily responsible for directing a university development program of 100 staff and a total budget of $6.7 million. Specific activities included managing a senior development team responsible for annual giving and prospect development, corporate and foundation relations, planned giving, prospect research, principal gift solicitations and volunteer management.

Choate also has held advancement positions of progressive responsibility at The Ohio State University and Frontier Community College in Fairfield, Ill.

Choate holds bachelor’s degrees in political science and history and a master’s degree in education, all from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Ill. He and his wife of 30 years, the former Julie Durall, have three children: Brent, a first lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force and graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy; Lauren, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse; and Lindsey, currently a senior at the University of South Carolina.