Fran Evans, who more than tripled UD's annual giving, will step down as vice president for advancement at UD by June 2007.

Evans broke UD fundraising records by raising $158 million in the Call to Lead campaign, an image-building and fundraising campaign that ended in 2002. She increased alumni giving from $8.8 million in 1993 to $28.8 million today, and during Evans' 13-year tenure, UD raised more than $240 million.

The Dayton Daily News recognized Evans as one of their Ten Top Women in 2001. In 1997, the Miami Valley chapter of the National Society of Fund Raising Executives named Evans fundraiser of the year, and during her tenure UD's advancement division staff has won nearly two dozen national awards for publications, national media relations, e-marketing, special events and alumni programming from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education.

'She professionalized the advancement division at the University of Dayton,' said Daniel J. Curran, UD's president, in a recent press release. 'She's an extraordinary fundraiser who was instrumental in the success of the Call to Lead campaign and has laid the groundwork for an even more ambitious effort.'

Recruited from Tulane University in her native New Orleans, Evans said when she came to visit UD she knew this is where she belonged.

'I thought we had lots of opportunities and the university had just barely scratched the surface,' Evans said. 'I knew there was a tremendous opportunity to grow.'

Karla Brooks, Evans' executive assistant, said Evans knew early on that it is critical for UD alumni to be involved with university giving and relations.

'Fran has the ability to see and work in the big picture while clearly articulating the steps necessary to obtain the desired outcome,' Brooks said. 'She is extremely intelligent, a quick study, ultra-feminine, grounded in reality, with her properties in order. She's driven by her faith, with a strong desire to help others be the best they can.'

UD ranks fourth among national Catholic universities in its alumni participation rate, trailing behind Notre Dame, Georgetown and Boston College. The number of alumni chapter cities has grown from 19 to 33 during Evans' tenure. Christmas off Campus, a spin-off of Christmas on Campus, expanded from an annual celebration in St. Louis to an event in almost every alumni chapter city.

Evans credits UD's advancement division staff for the work they have done together.

'No one accomplishes the things we've done alone,' Evans said. 'We have a great team and we've built a great team.'

Although Evans will be stepping down, she will continue in a part-time position as a special advisor to Curran, continuing to provide strategic guidance to increase alumni relations with the university. Evans said she thinks the UD community is only 'going to see great things over the next 10 years,' such as more alumni engagement and larger contributions.

As Evans looks forward to a short sabbatical before returning in her new position, Brooks said she will be greatly missed by her staff.

'I am grateful for the opportunity to have gotten to know Fran on a more personal level,' Brooks said. 'It's been a pleasure to work with Fran, and you can bet if she's ever teaching yoga in Dayton I'll be in her class.'