Vuchinich selected to head UH Foundation

Associated Press

The acting president of the University of Hawai'i system's fund-raising organization has been appointed to the post permanently, officials announced yesterday.

Donna Vuchinich brings more than 20 years of experience in public university fund-raising to the 10-campus system, the University of Hawai'i Foundation said in a news release.

Vuchinich was named acting president after Elizabeth Sloane announced in February that she was leaving for a position at the Harvard Divinity School.

Vuchinich, who joined the foundation in September 2002 as vice president for development, takes over as UH prepares to embark on the largest fund-raising effort in its history. The Centennial Campaign aims to raise up to $250 million by 2007.

Before coming to Hawaii, Vuchinich worked 12 years as director of leadership gifts for the Oregon State University Foundation. She also directed campaigns for the University of New Mexico, which in 1989 launched its second major campaign with a target of $65 million and raised more than $100 million.

The foundation also announced the appointments of 10 new trustees. They are:

Bruce Coppa of Pacific Resource Partnership, Mark Fukunaga of Servco Pacific Inc., Robert Hiam of Hawaii Medical Service Association, Stuart Ho of Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific, Louise Ing of Alston Hunt Floyd & Ing.

Also, John Komeiji of Watanabe Ing Kawashima & Komeiji, Myles Shibata of Kawailoa Development, Gerald Sumida of Carlsmith Ball LLP, Artie Wilson of Prudential Locations and C. Scott Wo of C.S. Wo & Sons Ltd.