Goldsboro's Keen earns promotion at UNCW

By Courtesy of UNCW
Published in Sports on March 2, 2013 11:22 PM

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Courtesy of UNCW

WILMINGTON -- Former Seahawk Club assistant director and UNCW director of development Adam Keen has been appointed Associate Director of Athletics for Major Gifts, becoming the school's first major gifts officer for athletics.

The announcement comes on the heels of Chancellor Gary L. Miller's recent report to the UNCW Board of Trustees, in which he reiterated the university's focus on building a stronger structure for fundraising and increasing connections between the athletics program and local residents and businesses.

Keen, a native of Goldsboro, will assist in the management of UNCW's development efforts, including prospect identification, major donor relationship cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.

"Our strategic vision for athletics includes not only attracting the highest caliber of student athletes, but also reaching out to our community in the most engaging and spirited ways we can," Miller said. "Creating this position to serve both our advancement and athletics goals is another step in our plan to bolster existing support and create new fundraising opportunities as well."

UNCW conducted a national search for a development specialist to solicit and cultivate major gifts in the growing athletics department.

"I'm excited about the opportunity to contribute to the chancellor's vision for athletics, in a role that encompasses both my passion for UNCW sports and my interest in finding new ways to build support for the program," Keen said. "I look forward to being an instrumental part in the major gift fundraising efforts."

Keen joined the Seahawk family in early 2010 as assistant director of the Seahawk Club and transitioned to advancement, as part of a team that raised more than $66 million for the comprehensive campaign.

"Adam's dedication and his multi-faceted experience with our team and athletics made him the best choice for this position," said Mary Gornto, vice chancellor of University Advancement. "His enthusiasm for all things UNCW and his long-term connections with our supporters will surely serve him well in his new capacity."

During his time as assistant director of the Seahawk Club, Keen played a key role in all phases of the group's operation, including managing a portfolio of major gift donors during the successful "Soaring To Greatness" campaign. After a move to University Advancement, he retained a close relationship with the Seahawk Club while soliciting scholarship support for the College of Health and Human Services, Cameron School of Business and Watson School of Education.

"We're very pleased to again be teaming up with Adam in his new position," said Jimmy Bass, UNCW's third-year athletics director. "He did an outstanding job during his time as an assistant director with the Seahawk Club and has an excellent relationship with the Wilmington community, which will serve us well as we concentrate on major gifts during this challenging economic climate."

Prior to coming to UNCW, Keen served as associate director of the East Carolina University Small Business Institute from 2007-2008 and was a development intern with the ECU Educational Foundation from 2009-2010. Keen led recruitment efforts for the new Student Pirate Club and assisted in planning the Pirate Club's annual scholarship auction.

Keen has been active in the Wilmington community, volunteering with the Miracle League of Wilmington and the local non-profit children's charity Mustaches for Kids.