EMU Names Shisler to Advancement Post

Kirk ShislerKirk L. Shisler of Syracuse, N.Y., has been named vice president for advancement at Eastern Mennonite University, effective Apr. 1, 2005.

The appointment was announced Friday, Jan. 14, by EMU President Loren E. Swartzendruber.

Shisler, an EMU alum, succeeds Richard L. Gunden, who resigned to accept a development position at George Mason University.

The new vice president will oversee the 14-member advancement division, which includes the areas of development, alumni and parent relations, church relations and corporate and foundation relations. In this role, he will become a member of the president’s cabinet.

"I’m very pleased that Kirk will be returning to EMU in this capacity," said Dr. Swartzendruber. "His deep feelings about EMU and his many years of experience in fundraising will serve us well."

Shisler has served in a variety of roles since 1981 with ProLiteracy Worldwide, a nonprofit international literacy organization based in Syracuse, N.Y., that was formed by the 2002 merger of Laubach Literacy International and Literacy Volunteers of America, Inc. This oldest and largest nongovernmental literacy organization in the world pursues a mission of sponsoring educational programs that help adults and their families acquire the literacy practices and skills they need to function more effectively in their daily lives.

Shisler joined Laubach Literacy International in 1981 as public communications officer. In 1984 he became director of planned giving and in 1988 was appointed director of fund development.

From 2002 to the present Shisler has been vice president for fund development with ProLiteracy Worldwide, the chief fund development officer for the organization. In this capacity he supervised an eight-member staff and did personal gift cultivation work and grant support with donors, foundations and corporations.

The Telford, Pa., native is a 1976 graduate of Christopher Dock Mennonite High School, Lansdale, Pa., and received a bachelor of arts degree in English from EMU in 1981. He has attended numerous management and planned giving seminars over the years.

"EMU is at a very exciting juncture in its history," says Shisler. "I believe the school is truly a vehicle for healing and hope in our troubled world, and I look forward to joining the EMU community as, together, we advance its mission."

Shisler and his wife, Mary Ann Hostetter, a librarian, have two sons, Ben, 12; and Andy, 10.