At Princeton, donations play an important part in continuing the excellence associated with the quality of life and educational opportunities on campus. The national Annual Giving committee solicits contributions from alumni, parents and friends of the University. James E. Crawford III '68 was recently appointed chair of the committee.
Under Crawford's supervision, the 40-member committee will plan and direct this year's fund-raising campaign. Annual Giving, with more than 2,000 volunteers around the world, will strive to raise $38.5 million and 61 percent alumni participation in 2001-02.
"One of the reasons Jim was chosen is because it is believed that he will be an active, energetic and compelling leader," University Vice President for Development and former Annual Giving chair Brian McDonald '83 said.
"We need somebody who is highly motivated and especially passionate to lead our core of volunteers," he added.
Through his professional career and community service, Crawford has proven himself a competent leader and fund raiser.
In the private sector, Crawford was a partner with the investment banking firm William Blair & Co. before becoming a managing partner with Frontenac, a Chicago-based private equity investment firm.
Crawford said he has worked for Annual Giving "off and on" for about 12 years. Starting with telethons in the Chicago area, he became responsible for soliciting donations in the area from University alumni of the classes of the 1960s and later from all alumni in the city. Eventually, he became the head of Annual Giving in the Midwest region and attained a seat on the national committee.
In the past, Crawford has led a capital campaign for the Lake Forest Day School and has served on the board of directors of the Children's Home and Aid Society of Illinois.
"Over half the cost for each student's education is borne by alumni through Annual Giving," Crawford said.
"Knowing that over half of my education was paid for by Princeton alumni has meant a lot to me. I feel it's an ongoing responsibility."
The challenges Crawford will face, McDonald said, will be the same challenges for Princeton.
Last year, with the country on the heels of an economic slowdown, prospects for equaling the previous year's donations seemed grim.
Contribution levels, in part because of donations from younger alumni, did not decline. To sustain this growth and provide effective leadership, especially after Sept. 11, will continue to be a daunting task in Crawford's term, McDonald said.
"This year we need to be sensitive to the fact that we want to keep Annual Giving in the context of outside events," Crawford said.
"However, we need to keep in mind the heightened importance of higher education and well-educated people in the aftermath of the events of Sept. 11."
Another challenge Crawford will face, McDonald said, is maintaining the diversity of contributors to correspond with increasing diversity of the alumni.
Typically, the position of the Annual Giving chair usually carries a two-year term. McDonald held the position for about a year until he left to become vice president for development. He succeeds Van Zandt Williams '65, who stepped down last year, in the position.
The selection process "was no more complex than choosing the Pope," McDonald joked.
Candidates were nominated informally by Annual Giving. Then, a search committee headed by Williams made a recommendation to President Tilghman, who quickly extended her seal of approval.
Crawford graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a B.S.E. in electrical engineering. As an undergraduate, he played soccer as a freshman and then participated in lightweight football. He was also a member of Ivy Club.
As the recipient of a Rhodes Scholarship, he went on to study economics at Oxford University.
Crawford also has a son at Princeton, James E. Crawford IV '03.
"I was really excited for him because my father has had a long history of volunteer service and now he has a chance to serve Princeton," he said.
"Princeton is lucky to have a guy like him on their team."
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