Veteran Fundraiser Named Clarke Vice President for Institutional Advancement
Clarke University is pleased to announce that Bill Biebuyck has been appointed the university’s next vice president for institutional advancement. In this position, he oversees all aspects of Clarke’s development office including annual funds, major gifts, alumni relations, capital campaign and stewardship. A veteran fundraiser with over 25 years of experience in non-profit and higher education fundraising, he began at Clarke at the end of January.
Most recently, Biebuyck served as vice president for university advancement at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, Ill., an institution with approximately 3,500 undergraduate and graduate students. While at St. Francis, he planned and implemented the largest capital campaign in the institution’s history and was responsible for all aspects of the university’s fundraising including the development of annual funds, planned giving, alumni relations and stewardship programs.
“Bill brings to Clarke a career filled with great successes in fundraising leadership and strategy,” said Clarke University President Joanne M. Burrows, SC, Ph.D. “Beyond that, he brings a passion for the values-based, liberal arts and sciences education that Clarke provides. We are thrilled that he has joined the university’s senior team.”
With significant experience working faith-based colleges and universities, Biebuyck has also been vice president and chief development officer at Alma College in Alma, Mich., from which he is a graduate. At Alma, he also oversaw all development operations and completed the largest campaign in the school’s history.
“I am excited to join the Clarke University team and become involved in the Dubuque community,” said Biebuyck. “Clarke enjoys a national reputation and I look forward to working with the many wonderful people I met during the interview process, both on campus and in the community, as the university makes its future vision a reality.”
Biebuyck brings significant senior-level administrative experience from non-profit institutions outside of higher education as well. Among others, he has served as senior vice president and chief development officer for Starr Commonwealth, an internationally recognized child and family services organization; chief executive officer of the Think First National Injury Prevention Foundation, which has over 300 chapters nationwide; and vice president of development and chief development officer for the Boggy Creek Gang Camp, a camp co-founded by Paul Newman and General H. Norman Schwarzkopf.
Clarke University is a Catholic, liberal arts and sciences university dedicated to preparing students who positively impact their workplace, family and community. Academic offerings include more than 40 undergraduate liberal arts and pre-professional programs, a robust adult degree program and four graduate degree programs. The Clarke Crusaders compete in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) with 16 varsity teams. Founded in 1843 by the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Clarke is located near the Mississippi River in the thriving city of Dubuque, Iowa. It is the only BVM university in the country.