Brian McDonald succeeds Williams as vice president for development

Newly appointed vice president for development Brian McDonald '83 has explored careers in investment banking, management and production in the music business, sculpture and the restaurant industry since his graduation from the University more than 18 years ago. But he considers his new-found position in higher education fund raising ideal.

"In each pursuit, I approached them with energy, enthusiasm and intellectual curiosity," he said. "I was fortunate enough to have fun and challenging experiences, but I saw this as an opportunity for me to unite the experiences I had to work for Princeton's benefit."

McDonald, who began work on Jan. 2, succeeds Van Zandt Williams Jr. '65, who held the office for 22 years.

"U.S. News and World Report said that for the past two years [the University was] the first overall and the first in alumni giving," McDonald said. "It makes us really unique."

The University is the current national leader in alumni annual giving with over 60 percent of alumni donating gifts ranging from $1 to $1 million each year. Annual giving represents $6,000 per student, graduate and undergraduate, according to McDonald.

"Nothing is broken," McDonald said. "I'll work to continue our success and look forward to think about how we might refine and enhance our current efforts."

President Tilghman recommended McDonald and said she is confident that under his leadership, the development office will work to match the gifts of donors with the priorities outlined by the administration and trustees.

"For the U.S., we are the benchmark in these areas — considered the best in the business. In order to sustain the remarkable achievements of President Shapiro over the past decade, we should not rest on our laurels but be prepared to consider all the ways in which we need to adjust to changing times," Tilghman said.

McDonald's efforts at first will be directed in large part toward securing funds for the construction of the sixth residential college.

"We'll be talking to prospective donors, and I'm confident that alums will see that this is an important step for Princeton to take in the 21st century," McDonald said.

As vice president for development, McDonald's responsibilities include overseeing annual giving, leadership gifts, corporate and foundation relations and all development communications and information systems. McDonald also serves as secretary of the Trustee Committee on University Resources.

"Once I learned more and more about [the job], it felt exactly right, the people and the place. I feel like I've been called to do this job," he said.

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Tilghman said that McDonald's work as a volunteer in past years for the annual giving campaign was particularly effective among younger classes, producing a 70-percent annual giving participation rate among recent graduates.

"Mr. McDonald has spent his adult life working in one capacity or another as a volunteer for Princeton," Tilghman said. "He brings to the enterprise intelligence, energy and vision."