David Ostrander, vice president for university advancement at Saint Leo University, has been named vice president for institutional advancement at Linfield College effective July 1, according to President Thomas L. Hellie.
Ostrander replaces Bruce Wyatt who is retiring from the position after 11 years. Wyatt will remain at Linfield as special assistant to the president.
“Not only has Dave Ostrander been successful at every college he has served, he understands and embraces the culture of Linfield,” Hellie said. “I am delighted and proud that he has decided to join us.”
Ostrander has nearly 30 years of experience in college and university fundraising. He has spent most of his career at independent liberal arts colleges. He served as vice president for institutional advancement at Wartburg College in Iowa for seven years. There he directed a campaign that raised $92 million. Previously, he was vice president for development at Coe College in Iowa, where he served for a total of 15 years. At Coe he directed a campaign that raised $36.5 million. He also has experience as a senior development officer and director of the annual fund.
Most recently, Ostrander has served as vice president at Saint Leo University in Saint Leo, Fla. He recently completed the university’s first-ever campaign, which had a goal of $15 million and raised a total of nearly $19.5 million.
Prior to working in the development field, Ostrander was a football and track coach and taught physical education at Monmouth College, Loras College and Iowa Wesleyan College.
Ostrander holds a bachelor’s degree from Coe College and a master’s degree from the University of Montana.
“I am excited about joining the Linfield College community,” Ostrander said. “Few things are more energizing than to be immersed in a college environment that has a mission like Linfield does. I look forward to working with alumni, students, friends and everyone in the Linfield community to continue a proud tradition at a first-rate liberal arts college.”
The division Ostrander will lead was previously known as College Relations. The name has been changed to Institutional Advancement to reflect the most commonly used term in higher education. The division will continue to coordinate fundraising activities, alumni, parent and community relations, and communications to internal and external constituencies of the college.
