Riverside, Calif., April, 2000--Greg Gerard, vice president for Advancement since 1996, recently announced his acceptance of the position as vice president for institutional advancement at Olivet College in Olivet, Mich. He will work in his current position up to June 30.

Gerard came to La Sierra after serving seven years as director of development at Andrews University. His years at La Sierra have been marked by significant growth in fundraising success for La Sierra. In his four years, University Advancement has raised record amounts of funds that support operations, scholarships and capital improvements. Last year, La Sierra received a record $2.6 million in gifts and projections for the current 1999-2000 school year see La Sierra approaching $5 million.

"Success has been a team effort and I've been heartened by the emphasis that our administration has placed on institutional advancement," Gerard said. "This priority, coupled with a fiercely loyal and generous alumni base, means that La Sierra is coming into an era of growing stability and can look forward to even greater fund-raising achievements."

Gerard cited family reasons for his decision to accept the Olivet job. Since he and his wife, Nancy, are natives of Michigan, a return to the Midwest will put them closer to their immediate relatives. Gerard said the move will also offer better professional opportunities for his wife.

"People like the Gerards are irreplaceable," said La Sierra President Larry Geraty. "Both Greg and Nancy have contributed uniquely to La Sierra University and its extended community and their presence in Adventist higher education will be sorely missed. Greg's efforts at building up the infrastructure for our development success is especially noteworthy, and we must say his wit in administrative circles has no peer! We are thankful for their California sojourn and wish the Gerard family well as they return home to Michigan."

Founded in 1844, Olivet College is a four-year liberal arts institution. The private school has just under 1,000 students and retains church affiliations with the Congregational Christian Churches and the United Church of Christ. The school is located in Olivet, Mich., in the south-central part of that Midwestern state, 30 miles south of Lansing and 125 miles west of Detroit.

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