Oregon Institute of Technology (Oregon Tech) conducted a nationwide search and is now proud to welcome, Dr. Ken Fincher, CFRE, as the new vice president for Institutional Advancement (VPIA). Dr. Fincher will start at Oregon Tech in early January 2021.
The VPIA is responsible for overall leadership and management of the department of Development as well as Marketing, Communication and Public Affairs, and is responsible for a strong and vibrant public and internal profile for Oregon Tech. The VPIA is also the primary liaison to the Foundation board of directors and also serves as the executive director of the Oregon Tech Foundation.
Dr. Fincher joins Oregon Tech from his position as vice president for Institutional Advancement and executive director of the Foundation at Middle Georgia State University (MGA). There he secured capital campaign gifts for a proposed new student enrollment center—matching the record for the largest gift in university history, oversaw management of a 13+ million dollar endowment, and increased annual giving by 20% over the last three campaign cycles, among other accomplishments. Fincher also has familiarity of the Pacific Northwest, having served as assistant vice chancellor for Advancement and Community Engagement at Washington State University Tri-Cities before his time at MGA.
Oregon Tech president Dr. Nagi Naganathan said, “We welcome Ken to Oregon Tech, and are excited to have someone of his experience and expertise as a member of our executive staff. Ken will help us build on the current momentum, help shape fundraising priorities, and bring new ideas and processes to Oregon Tech’s fundraising and outreach efforts. We look forward to his knowledge and experience to help us advance Oregon Tech’s role as a world-class polytechnic university.”
Oregon Tech’s programs are industry-relevant, with a distinct focus on engineering and health sciences. As such, Dr. Fincher will work closely with President Naganathan, and actively engage senior leadership, deans, faculty, staff, students and other stakeholders to develop, cultivate, and nurture business and industry partnerships that can lead to support of Oregon Tech’s academic programs, faculty, students and alumni.
Dr. Fincher has more than 34 years of experience in fundraising, having also served as executive director of the foundation and senior vice president of development at Sears Methodist Retirement System and as vice president of Institutional Advancement at Shorter University in Georgia.
“I am truly excited to join both the Oregon Tech family and the Klamath Falls community. I look forward to supporting the university’s philanthropic, alumni, and marketing and communication programs. It is to help support President Naganathan’s vision for Oregon Tech to be a world-class polytechnic university,” said Dr. Fincher.
Dr. Fincher earned a Doctorate of Psychology, Non-Profit Management Specialization from University of the Rockies, Colorado Springs, Colorado; Master of Arts in Philanthropy and Development from St. Mary’s University, Winona, Minnesota; and a Bachelor of Science in Social Science from Shorter University, Rome, Georgia. He is also a Certified Fundraising Professional, a Certified Ethicist, and the Chapter Advisor for the National Society of Leadership and Success.
President Naganathan added, “My thanks goes out to John Davis, JD, who chaired the search committee, and the other members of Oregon Tech’s search committee for their commitment to a high-quality search process, and to all of my colleagues who attended the on-campus forums and other interview opportunities and provided valuable feedback.”
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