I am pleased to announce the appointment of Berinthia R. LeVine as Vice President for University Advancement and Executive Director of the CSU Foundation, Inc., reporting directly to me. The appointment is effective mid-May.

Ms. LeVine brings a strong background in advancement leadership to the University at a time when philanthropic support for scholarships is our top priority. Particularly in this difficult economy, scholarships are our most effective tool for making college affordable and attracting and retaining top students - students who will graduate and become the leaders and work force that will turn Northeast Ohio around.

Ms. LeVine comes to CSU from the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, where she has held leadership positions since 1995, most recently as vice president, executive office, working with the Federation president. She was recruited to grow the Federation's financial resource development program. During her tenure at the Federation, she contributed to the significant growth of its endowment, leading an initiative that created a pipeline of current and deferred gifts in excess of $275 million. Additionally, she oversaw a multi-year, multi-million dollar comprehensive capital, endowment and programmatic fundraising campaign that has raised or leveraged over $179 million community-wide to date.

Prior to being recruited to the Jewish Federation, Ms. LeVine was recruited to Montefiore Home/Montefiore Foundation in Beachwood, where she was instrumental in growing the current and deferred fundraising programs. In addition, she was with Case Western Reserve University's Weatherhead School of Management for eight years where, as director of annual giving and alumni relations, she oversaw the significant growth of both programs.

She holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan and an MBA from the Weatherhead School of Management at CWRU. A current member and past board member of a number of local and national professional organizations, she has been a frequent local and national speaker on various philanthropic topics.

With her stellar reputation both locally and nationally, her distinguished career and outstanding success as a fundraiser in the Greater Cleveland community, I am confident she will provide effective leadership to our advancement team and bring a new level of philanthropic support to our University.