Talented professionals join ESU Advancement team

The Advancement office at Emporia State University is delighted to announce two new members of the development staff, Mike Crouch and Blake Davis.

Mike Crouch began in early November as a development officer. The Emporia native earned his bachelor’s degree from ESU in 2004, and has returned to his alma mater after serving as executive director of Emporians for Drug Awareness. The move to ESU was a natural fit for him.

“My wife and I are both alumni of Emporia State, and both of us grew up here, and we both have a strong passion for the university and for the success of the university,” Crouch said. “Right now, I’m learning that there’s so much opportunity for our students. Emporia State is supported by some strong donors and alumni that care deeply about Emporia State.”

One of his first major tasks is to organize the third annual John Blaufuss Memorial Run/Walk in the spring. “I’d like to see us grow this into a community-wide event,” Crouch said. “John Blaufuss was instrumental in the success of the university, but also in the community, and honoring him in this way, by reaching out to the community, is a good thing.”

Crouch, who will focus on corporate and business fundraising at ESU, is in the middle of serving a 4-year term on the Emporia school board. He and his wife Kimberly (BSB 1997) have three children, ages 11, 9 and 2, with a fourth on the way. Needless to say, Crouch has his hands full. “A lot of it comes down to my wife and I working together to juggle our schedules. We’re both very busy. Being able to balance our schedules and the kids’ schedules makes a big difference.”

Blake Davis started in early October as the associate director of annual programs, managing the call center, direct mail, the faculty and staff campaign, and more. Davis graduated from high school in Smith Center, Kan., and from the University of Kansas, where he worked in the KU call center, before moving to Virginia to work in annual programs at George Mason University. Now he’s back in his home state.

“I’m happy to be back to Kansas,” Davis said. “There’s an atmosphere that you can only find in the Midwest. It’s a family atmosphere, sort of like what the Annual Fund is meant to do. It provides for students in a variety of ways, and once you leave Emporia State, you’re a part of our family.”

One of Davis’s projects is developing the new Black and Gold Society, a membership-based presidential giving group. “The society is a chance for those who feel truly invested in ESU to interact with the president and other leaders as they develop major projects at ESU, and also to impact students through the society’s scholars program. Members will be in on the ground floor of these efforts,” Davis said.

In another important personnel change, Linda Pease has shifted into the role of chief development officer, overseeing Davis and Crouch while retaining her role as the director of planned giving.

We’ve really enjoyed getting to know Blake and Mike in the last few weeks,” Pease said. “They’ve brought fresh perspectives and experiences to our development team, and their presence allows us to become more focused in our fundraising efforts – Blake in annual programs, Mike in corporations and businesses, and myself in planned giving and major gifts.”

Last Updated November 15, 2007>