Jennifer Williams '85 was recently named director of the Dartmouth Alumni Fund, according to director of Development Publications John DeGange. Williams will be the first female graduate of the College to fill this position.
Williams, who is now director of the Will to Excel Campaign's New York office, will replace Jeff Sassorossi '75.
Sassorossi served as acting director for more than two years during the search for a permanent director.
According to Sassorossi, the job entails "duties as a fund raiser for the Alumni Fund and, in addition to that, doing some administrative things."
The College uses the Alumni Fund to pay for expenses as they arise.
Stanley Colla '66, the vice president for development and alumni relations, said he is glad the College hired a Dartmouth alumna.
"I think it's a nice benefit if the person is a graduate of the College," he said. But Colla said the College's first priority was "trying to find the number one person for the position."
Williams, who has worked for the College raising money for its endowment since 1990, said she is "honored to be the first alumna in this position."
"The Trustees and senior administration at Dartmouth are looking at the Alumni Fund as a very high priority," she said. "And that's very encouraging."
The Alumni Fund has raised $13 million this fiscal year, Williams said.
Sassorossi said he is excited Williams will be the permanent director.
"I think she's going to bring a real fresh direction to how Dartmouth raises money for the Alumni Fund," he said.
According to Williams, the goal of the Alumni Fund is "to solicit every alum and parent and many friends of the college for current-use unrestricted gifts."
The College uses money from the Alumni Fund to cover a variety of costs.
"The advantage of having a big pot of unrestricted current-use money is that it allows flexibility," Williams said.
Williams said some of the money from the Alumni Fund pays for financial aid. She said this allows the College to remain one of the few schools with a need-blind admissions policy.
Much of the College's money also lies in the endowment, although the College seldom spends this money. It spends income derived from the endowment, such as dividends from stocks.
Williams said the Alumni Fund is like the College's checking account, and the endowment is like the College's savings account.
Williams said she thinks she will be taking over at the right time: with the ending of the Will to Excel campaign she will be fortunate to "serve the College at a unique moment in the Alumni Fund's history."
