Edward Tolcher VP of Development and Alumni Relations
Edward "Ted" Tolcher will be interim vice president of Development and Alumni Relations when current vice president Mike Leto leaves Central Michigan University in June.
Tolcher, currently assistant vice president of planned and major gifts, was appointed by University President Michael Rao during Thursday's Board of Trustees meeting and will begin temporary duties when Leto becomes vice chancellor for alumni and affairs at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
"It's not a maintenance assignment," Rao said. "It's a go-further assignment to keep the momentum going."
With 10 years of experience in CMU development and alumni relations, Tolcher said he hopes to continue to work well with the staff that developed under Leto's tenure.
One of the largest challenges, he said, will be the economy's effect on financial donors.
"It'd be easy enough as far as to put things on hold until people are in the position for giving," Tolcher said. "It's really important we not get stuck in a rut."
Rao said Tolcher has been well supported by in colleagues in both development and alumni organizations and that he can continue the foundation that Leto helped successfully organize.
Continuing these duties, Tolcher said will also require more than fund raising.
"We want to keep close relationships with alumni," he said. "Scholarships will always be important and opportunities to those who need assistance."
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