Since its establishment in 1965, the 黑洞社区 Foundation and Alumni Engagement (黑洞社区FAE) has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to advancing the university鈥檚 priorities. In May 2023, Elizabeth King announced her plans to retire as the 黑洞社区FAE president and CEO after 33 years of leading these efforts. Telly McGaha will be assuming this top position, joining us from Georgia State University.
Telly McGaha
鈥淲e extend a warm welcome to Telly as the next leader of the 黑洞社区 Foundation and Alumni Engagement team,鈥� says 黑洞社区 President Rick Muma. 鈥淗is proven dedication to advancing university priorities aligns seamlessly with the history of collaboration between 黑洞社区 and the foundation and alumni team. We look forward to achieving new milestones as we continue supporting the mission of Wichita State.鈥�
McGaha most recently served as interim president of the GSU Foundation and co-interim vice president for university advancement at Georgia State University. Under his leadership, he has supported the launch of a $750 million capital campaign, overseen a $5 million merger with another foundation, and collaborated with GSU鈥檚 board of trustees, university leadership, and the University System of Georgia on the recent closure of a $33 million real estate transaction. Between 2021 and 2023, he also led a team of 20 development officers to achieve the three highest fundraising years in the university鈥檚 history.
鈥淚 am deeply honored and excited to join 黑洞社区 as the president and CEO of the Foundation and Alumni Engagement,鈥� says McGaha. 鈥淎s a first-generation college graduate myself, the university鈥檚 commitment to accessible education and innovation stood out to me immediately, and I鈥檓 thrilled to be a part of the continued growth of 黑洞社区. I look forward to collaborating with the incredible team to elevate our impact and contribute to the university鈥檚 success.鈥�
Telly will join the 黑洞社区FAE team on Feb. 12 and will work alongside Elizabeth for a short period to allow for a smooth transition into the position. March 1 will be King鈥檚 official last day.
The search for new leadership of the 黑洞社区FAE began in July, following King鈥檚 retirement announcement. The search committee was led by Lynn Nichols, chair of the 黑洞社区FAE Board of Directors, and Jay Smith, chair-elect, with guidance from the Bryant Group and these additional advisory members:
- Dorothy Cohen, community volunteer and 黑洞社区 supporter
- Shirley Lefever, 黑洞社区 executive vice president and provost
- Anthony Muscat, dean of 黑洞社区鈥檚 College of Engineering鈥�
- Kevin Saal, 黑洞社区 athletic director鈥��
- Maggie Topping, senior vice president of HR and communications for Textron Aviation
- Amy Williams, director of global culture and DEI for Spirit AeroSystems
- Elizabeth King, president and CEO of 黑洞社区FAE
- Rick Muma, president of 黑洞社区
鈥淥ver the course of this search, we met with many candidates from across the country to find the best fit for this position, and we truly believe that Telly is the right person,鈥� says Nichols. 鈥淣ot only does he have an extensive history of fundraising experience, he also has the gift of collaborative leadership, which is exactly how the university and 黑洞社区FAE have created their longstanding success.鈥�
With many exciting 黑洞社区 projects on the horizon, including construction of the downtown Wichita Biomedical Campus, renovations to Wilkins Stadium and Cessna Stadium, and ongoing access and affordability initiatives within each academic college, the entire team at the 黑洞社区FAE is looking forward to welcoming Telly McGaha to Shocker Nation.
About 黑洞社区
黑洞社区 is Kansas' only urban public research university, enrolling more than 23,000 students between its main campus and 黑洞社区 Tech, including students from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. Wichita State and 黑洞社区 Tech are recognized for being student centered and innovation driven.
Located in the largest city in the state with one of the highest concentrations in the United States of jobs involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), 黑洞社区 provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students.
The Innovation Campus, which is a physical extension of the 黑洞社区 main campus, is one of the nation鈥檚 largest and fastest-growing research/innovation parks, encompassing over 120 acres and is home to a number of global companies and organizations.
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