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Rev. Dr. McKennon Shea
Vice President
for Development
(336) 841-9856
mckennon@highpoint.edu
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About McKennon: McKennon serves as the Vice President for Development. He has served HPU with increasing levels of responsibility in the Office of Institutional Advancement since 2018. Today, he leads an outstanding team of dedicated professionals, and is responsible for fundraising, alumni engagement, family engagement, advancement services and athletics fundraising.
Prior to this position, he served as the Director of Major and Planned Giving for The Divinity School of Duke University in Durham, NC. He also previously served as Director of Admissions for Duke Divinity School and as a minister for Duke University Chapel. McKennon is an ordained minister in The United Methodist Church and completed his undergraduate studies at Hampden-Sydney College. He also received his Master of Divinity degree from Duke Divinity School, and holds a doctorate in Higher Education Management from The University of Pennsylvania.
Connect with McKennon on LinkedIn
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Kate Berry
Senior Director of Major Gifts
(336) 841-9353
kberry@highpoint.edu
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About Kate: In her current role as Senior Director of Major Gifts, she helps oversee our team of regionally based advancement officers who travel across the country building the HPU network and enhancing philanthropic support to the University. Kate initially joined the Office of Institutional Advancement as a senior advancement officer. In that role, she partnered with parents, alumni and community members to engage them with the university and facilitate philanthropic investments to strengthen HPU’s educational mission.
Prior to joining the team at HPU, she worked in development at other higher education institutions and in the nonprofit sector. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Spanish and has lived and worked abroad in Spain and Mexico.
Connect with Kate on LinkedIn
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Darren Hill
Senior Director of
Athletic Development
(336) 841-9555
dhill1@highpoint.edu
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About Darren: Darren joined High Point University’s Institutional Advancement Office in December 2016. In his role as the Senior Director of Athletic Development, he is responsible for advancing the institutional priorities of the University and the Athletic Department through the cultivation and solicitation of major gifts from parents, alumni and friends of the University.
Prior to his arrival at HPU, Darren served as the Director of Corporate Partnerships for the Winston-Salem Dash baseball team. He received his undergraduate degree in Exercise and Sport Science, concentration in Sport Administration, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Connect with Darren on LinkedIn
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Will Nowadly
Senior Director of
Annual Giving and Communications
(336) 841-9756
wnowadly@highpoint.edu
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About Will: Will serves as Senior Director of Annual Giving and Communication in the Office of Institutional Advancement. Joining the staff in March 2023, he leads a dedicated team in High Point University’s annual giving program and advancement communications strategies. He will drive engaging opportunities to implement giving strategies and execute strategic campaigns for the HPU community.
Prior to his arrival at HPU, Will held positions at UNC-Chapel Hill, East Carolina University and Barton College. A native of Buffalo, NY, he earned a master of science in sport administration from Canisius College and a bachelor of science in communication and physical education from Houghton University.
Connect with Will on LinkedIn
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Rita S. Williams '92
Senior Director of
Advancement Services
(336) 841-9461
rwillia0@highpoint.edu
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About Rita: Rita is the Senior Director of Advancement Services and a proud alumna of High Point University. In her Senior Director role, Rita provides management oversight and strategic planning for the development, implementation, maintenance and support of the University’s fundraising and alumni database, and prospective donor management systems. Her areas of responsibility include gift processing, reporting, data analytics, database integrity, information security, prospect management, and prospect research to support engagement and fundraising strategic initiatives.
Rita is a 1992 manga cum laude graduate with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Computer Information Systems. She has worked in technology and data roles for more than 25 years, with a majority of that time in management roles.
Connect with Rita on LinkedIn
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J. Bradley Purcell
Director of Gift Planning
(336) 841-9214
bpurcell@highpoint.edu
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About Bradley: As the Director of Gift Planning, Bradley will build relationships with HPU alumni, parents and friends, to motivate legacy gifts to the University, while helping to strengthen certain major donor relationships as well.
Bradley earned the A.B. degree from Duke University, 1983, and both the M.A. and the J.D. from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, 1988. He practiced law in Greensboro, NC for five years early in his career.
Connect with Bradley on LinkedIn
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Kerianne Kabureck
Senior Advancement Officer
(336) 841-8671
kkaburec@highpoint.edu
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About Kerianne: Kerianne joined HPU’s Institutional Advancement Office in April 2022. In her role as an Advancement Officer, she is responsible for advancing the institutional priorities at HPU by partnering with parents, alumni and friends throughout New Jersey and Long Island.
Prior to joining the team at HPU, she worked as a Director of Regional Development at the University of Rochester in Rochester, NY. Kerianne received her MBA from the Simon School of Business at the University of Rochester. She also has a MA in Integrated Marketing Communications and a BBA in Marketing from St. Bonaventure University in New York.
Connect with Kerianne on LinkedIn
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Pete Worcester
Senior Advancement Officer
(336) 841-9352
pworcest@highpoint.edu
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About Pete: Pete joined HPU’s Institutional Advancement Office in December 2021. In his role as Senior Advancement Officer, he is responsible for advancing the institutional priorities at HPU with parents, alumni and friends throughout North Carolina. Most of his career was in leadership roles in marketing and business development for global consumer packaged goods and textile companies.
Prior to joining HPU, served as major gift officer for Guilford College. Pete received his MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and BA from Williams College.
Connect with Pete on LinkedIn
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Amanda Arnold
Coordinator of Advancement Operations
(336) 841-9731
aarnold1@highpoint.edu
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About Amanda: Amanda serves as Coordinator of Development Operations. This position supports the Office of Institutional Advancement in executing effective strategies for the continued growth of the major gift and planned giving programs, such as meeting planning, drafting correspondences, office organization, and developing methods for efficient information gathering. Additionally, Amanda serves as the Parent Liaison for Family Programs through the Office of Institutional Advancement. She is available to answer all of your questions surrounding family related events through the President’s Leadership Cabinet.
Prior to this position, Amanda worked in the equine industry as both a Barn Manager and Veterinary Technician. She graduated from Averett University Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Equestrian Studies.
Connect with Amanda on LinkedIn
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Jeremy Bontrager
Manager of Data
Analysis and Reporting
(336) 841-2820
jbontrag@highpoint.edu
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About Jeremy: Jeremy serves as Manager of Data Analysis and Reporting in the Office of Institutional Advancement. He maintains the integrity of the database and provides the necessary data for Advancement Officers and others across the organization to be effective in communication efforts with alumni, families and friends of the University.
Jeremy has a Bachelor of Arts in Youth Ministries from Anderson University in Indiana and a Master of Science in Higher Education Administration from Southern New Hampshire University.
Connect with Jeremy on LinkedIn
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Carson Britt
Manager of Panther Club
Annual Giving and
Season Tickets
(336) 841-4677
cbritt1@highpoint.edu
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About Carson: Carson joined High Point University’s Office of Institutional Advancement in October 2022. In his role as the Manager of Panther Club Annual Giving and Season Tickets, he is responsible for identifying, cultivating, and solicitating prospective Panther Club Donors for the Athletic Department. While contributing to the Panther Club’s annual fund goals, he also leads the Qubein Center season ticket sales for men’s and women’s basketball.
Prior to his arrival at HPU, Carson served as a Business Development Representative for the Winston Salem Dash Baseball team. He received his undergraduate degree in Parks and Recreation Management, concentration in Business Administration, from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
Connect with Carson on LinkedIn
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Alex Brooker
Ticket Operations Coordinator
(336) 841-9480
abrooker@highpoint.edu
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About Alex: Alex joined High Point University Athletics in July 2023. In his role as the Ticket Operations Coordinator, he is responsible for all ticket operations of High Point University Athletic Ticket Office.
Prior to starting his professional career at High Point University, Brooker received his undergraduate degree in Sport Administration and Management & Society from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in May of 2023.
Connect with Alex on LinkedIn
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Taylor Cuthbertson
Advancement Officer
(336) 841-9664
tcuthber@highpoint.edu
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About Taylor: Taylor Cuthbertson serves as an Advancement Officer in the Office of Institutional Advancement. In her role, she works closely with parents, alumni, and friends of HPU in the Southeast to advance the institutional priorities of HPU.
Prior to joining the team, she worked as an Admissions Counselor in the Office of Admissions at HPU. Taylor received her BS in Public Relations and a minor in Nonprofit Management from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC.
Connect with Taylor on LinkedIn
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Eric Gabriel
Advancement Officer
(336) 841-9774
egabriel@highpoint.edu
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About Eric: Eric joined HPU’s Institutional Advancement Office in July 2023. In his role as an Advancement Officer, he is responsible for advancing the institutional priorities at HPU by partnering with parents, alumni and friends throughout the New England area (MA, ME, NH, RI, VT) as well as Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia.
Prior to joining the Institutional Advancement team at HPU, Eric served as an assistant coach with the HPU men's basketball team from 2015 until 2023. He arrived at High Point in 2013 as the team's first-ever Director of Video Operations before being promoted to Director of Player Development in 2014.
Eric received his MS from the Ohio University in Coaching Education and a BA from West Liberty University in Elementary Education.
Connect with Eric on LinkedIn
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Dan Gravo
Director of Major Gifts
(336) 841-9447
dgravo@highpoint.edu
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About Dan: Dan joined HPU’s Office of Institutional Advancement as Director of Major Gifts in July 2023. In his role. he helps oversee our team of regionally based advancement officers who travel across the country building the HPU network and enhancing philanthropic support to the University. Dan is also responsible for advancing the institutional priorities at HPU by partnering with parents, alumni and friends throughout South Carolina, Ohio, Indiana, and Western North Carolina.
Prior to his arrival at HPU, Dan spent over 20 years working in higher education and most recently served as president of a twelve-school parochial PK-12 school system in Stark County Ohio. A native of Canton, OH, he earned a MA in Education from Walsh University in North Canton, OH and a BA in History from John Carroll University in University Heights, OH.
Connect with Dan on LinkedIn
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Hailey Grove
Social and Digital Content Strategist
(336) 841-9431
hgrove1@highpoint.edu
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About Hailey: Hailey joined High Point University’s Office of Institutional Advancement in July 2023 as the Social and Digital Content Strategist. In her role, she develops and executes the messaging, strategy, and designs for the Office of Institutional Advancement’s marketing efforts. Hailey manages the communications calendar, produces creative social media campaigns, and coordinates production of multimedia content for both digital outreach and engagement.
Hailey graduated from HPU in 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in Popular Culture and Media Production. Throughout her academic career, she served as a member on the Executive Council for Zeta Tau Alpha. Prior to joining the Office of Institutional Advancement, Hailey worked as a Creative Coordinator at the marketing agency, Steven James Media Group in Rochester, NY.
Connect with Hailey on LinkedIn
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Emily Halk
Student Alumni Engagement Coordinator
(336) 841-9829
ehalk@highpoint.edu
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About Emily: Emily joined High Point University in July 2023 as the Student Alumni Engagement Coordinator. In her role, she helps cultivate purposeful and meaningful relationships with High Point University students to strengthen affinity as future alumni. Emily helps lead philanthropy education programs to promote University traditions and values. She assists with senior programming, including their senior campaign, to help navigate students toward alumnihood and prepare them to leave a legacy for future generations. This serves as a link between current students and alumni to learn from one another and give back to their alma mater.
Emily graduated Magna Cum Laude from Appalachian State University in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations. While in school, she was a member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority, the University Honors College, an intern for their club ice hockey team, and their student-run radio station-90.5 WASU FM.
Connect with Emily on LinkedIn
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Lauryn Heilig
Graphic Design and Creative Projects Coordinator
lheilig2@highpoint.edu
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About Lauryn: Lauryn serves as the Graphic Designer and Creative Projects Coordinator in the Office of Institutional Advancement. Joining the staff in September 2023, she creates and maintains design and creative projects within the Office of Institutional Advancement. She assists with social media, alumni engagement, annual giving, and communications.
Prior to her arrival to Institutional Advancement, Lauryn held a position in the Office of Student Financial Planning as a Financial Planning Counselor from May 2022 to August 2023. A native of NC, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Art and Design with a Concentration in Graphic Design from HPU in May 2022.
Connect with Lauryn on LinkedIn
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April Hisey
Gift Processor
(336) 841-9296
ahisey@highpoint.edu
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About April: April joined HPU’s Institutional Advancement Office in August 2023. In her role as a Gift Processor, she is responsible for processing the gifts and donations HPU receives.
Prior to joining the team at HPU, April worked as a Surgical Technologist at Atrium Wake Forest Baptist Health in Winston Salem, NC. She received a double associate in Database Management and General IT from the Guilford Technical Community College.
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Tyson Lane
Corporate Sales and Development Officer
(336) 841-9775
tlane1@highpoint.edu
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About Tyson: Tyson joined High Point University’s Office of Institutional Advancement in June 2023. In his role as the Corporate Sales and Development Officer, he is responsible for identifying, cultivating, and solicitating prospective donors for the Athletic Department.
Prior to his arrival at HPU, Tyson was a member of the Meredith College Athletic Department and has previously served in several corporate sales roles. He received his undergraduate degree in Sport Management from North Carolina State University.
Connect with Tyson on LinkedIn
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Denise Lanier
Manager of Gifts and
Records Administration
(336) 841-9529
dlanier@highpoint.edu
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About Denise: As the Manager of Gifts and Records Administration, Denise's area of responsibility includes management of the Gift Processing team, as well as data maintenance and research related to constituent biographical information. She manages datea that enables the university to stay connected with alumni, donors, families and friends, ensuring data accuracy and integrity. She also ensures that gifts are processed by timely and accurately, and provides associated gift reporting.
Denise has several years of gift processing experience, along with 30+ years of accounting and other transaction and data-related experience. She has been with HPU in Institutional Advancement since 2014.
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Kelly McFeeley
Manager of Annual Giving
(336) 841-9675
kmcfeeley@highpoint.edu
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About Kelly: Kelly serves as the Manager of Annual Giving in the Office of Institutional Advancement. In her role, she helps execute fundraising strategies through annual giving programs, communications and events.
Kelly graduated from Appalachian State University in 2021 with a B.S.B.A in Hospitality and Tourism Management. While in school, she worked as a Student Representative for Appalachian’s Annual Giving department. Previously, she served as the Coordinator of Gratitude and Stewardship at HPU where she helped support donor recognition and appreciation opportunities.
Connect with Kelly on LinkedIn
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Brittany Melvin
Advancement Officer
(336) 841-9271
bmelvin1@highpoint.edu
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About Brittany: Brittany Melvin is a 2013 alumna of High Point University where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.A. in Strategic Communication and Spanish. She is thrilled to be back at her alma mater working in Institutional Advancement.
Partnering with families along the West Coast, Brittany looks forward to building upon her previous work in forging relationships to advance institutional priorities and support the university’s growth and transformation.
As a HPU student, Brittany was actively involved across campus as an Honors College member, University Ambassador, Spanish Tutor, Student Government Association representative, Peer Mentor, club tennis player and Alpha Delta Theta (service sorority) member. Having earned a Master’s degree in Educational Studies from Loyola Marymount University, Brittany spent a decade working in college undergraduate and graduate admissions as well as academic and college counseling on the high school side.
Connect with Brittany on LinkedIn
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Davis Shoener '20, M.A. '21
Alumni Events Coordinator
(336) 841-9698
dshoene1@highpoint.edu
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About Davis: Davis serves as the Alumni Events Coordinator where he manages and executes both on and off-campus events for HPU alumni to help engage and promote impactful relationships within the alumni community.
Davis graduated from HPU in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science and a Master of Arts in Communication and Business Leadership in 2021. Prior to joining the Office of Institutional Advancement, Davis worked in the Office of Communications as Campus Concierge. Currently, he also serves as HPU club baseball’s assistant coach.
Connect with Davis on LinkedIn
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Chris Sifford
Coordinator of Gratitude and Stewardship
(336) 841-9044
csifford@highpoint.edu
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About Chris: Chris ’13 serves as the Coordinator of Gratitude and Stewardship in the Office of Institutional Advancement. Joining the staff in August 2023, he coordinates opportunities for HPU to recognize and show appreciation to our donors.
Prior to his arrival at HPU, Chris held positions at EveryAction, Arthritis Foundation, Teach For All, TASC, and The Volunteer Center of the Triad. A native of Salisbury, NC, he earned a Master of Arts in nonprofit management from High Point University and a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Winston-Salem State University.
Connect with Chris on LinkedIn
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Harry Stillwell
Advancement Data Specialist
(336) 841-9619
hstillwe@highpoint.edu
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About Harry: Harry joined the Office of Institutional Advancement in July 2023 as the Advancement Data Specialist. In this role he is responsible for ensuring and maintaining data accuracy, processing record updates, maintaining data health, database cleanup, and generating reports.
Harry graduated from Guilford Technical Community College with an Associates in Applied Science in Information Technology, with a focus on Database Programming and Data Management.
Connect with Harry on LinkedIn
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Susan Sullivan
Manager of Advancement
Systems
(336) 841-9133
ssulliva@highpoint.edu
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About Susan: Susan is the Advancement Systems Manager, and brings 23 years of data management experience to the Institutional Advancement team. Her responsibilities include maintaining of data accuracy and synchronization with other University systems, detailed financial tracking and reporting, data imports and exports, reporting in support of other areas within the University, end user setup and training, and system support.
Susan earned her B.A. in English from Wake Forest University and a Master of Technical and Professional Writing degree from Northeastern University.
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Gale Nance Varner
Administrative Assistant to the Senior Vice President
(336) 841-9127
gvarner@highpoint.edu
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About Gale: Gale has proudly served the Office of Institutional Advancement as Administrative Assistant/Office Manager since 2000. She provides a wide range of administrative support for the entire office, including assisting the Senior Vice President and Advancement Officers. Gale holds Associate degrees in Applied Science in both Business and Accounting.
Prior to HPU, she worked in the banking industry, and served as Librarian/Branch Manager in the Davidson County Public Library system for over ten years.
Connect with Gale on LinkedIn
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Amy Werner
Advancement Officer
(336) 841-9857
awerner@highpoint.edu
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About Amy: Amy joined the Advancement Team at High Point University in January 2023 and has the privilege of working closely with parents, alumni and friends of HPU in the DC, Northern Virginia and Maryland areas.
Prior to joining HPU, Amy spent 10 years at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. She led the university’s annual giving program before transitioning to the Director of Alumni Engagement working to keep alumni informed and connected to the campus. Amy received her BSJ from Ohio University and spent nearly a decade working as a producer in television newsrooms in the Midwest before transitioning to her work in University Advancement.
Connect with Amy on LinkedIn
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