Mary McDonald Named VP For University Advancement & Executive Director Of Middle Georgia State University Foundation

Author: News Bureau
Posted: Friday, September 3, 2021 12:00 AM
Categories: School of Business | School of Health and Natural Sciences | School of Computing | School of Aviation | School of Arts and Letters | School of Education and Behavioral Sciences | Faculty/Staff | Pressroom

Macon, GA

Mary McDonald has joined Middle Georgia State University (MGA) as vice president for University Advancement. In that role she also serves as the executive director of the Middle Georgia State University Foundation.

Most recently special assistant to the president of Spring Hill College in Mobile, Ala., McDonald brings major fundraising experience in higher education to her new role. As special assistant to the Spring Hill College president, she supervised the institution’s grant process, raising funds from state, federal, and private sources. In fiscal 2020, under her supervision, the institution raised more than $5 million.

As MGA’s vice president for University Advancement, McDonald leads the philanthropic efforts of the Middle Georgia State Foundation to raise funds necessary to significantly advance the University’s mission. She also serves as the primary lead for all alumni functions and sits on the president’s cabinet.

“Mary McDonald comes to MGA at a critical time in higher education, when raising financial resources is more vital than ever,” said Dr. Christopher Blake, MGA’s president. “Her proven track record in fundraising, alumni relations, and other areas made her an excellent match for Middle Georgia State.  I am confident she will help the University significantly build on the momentum of our current major fundraising campaign and will have both an immediate and long-term impact on strategies to advance MGA’s goals and vision.” 

At Spring Hill College, McDonald also served as vice president for Development and Alumni Relations. Earlier in her career she was vice president and secretary for the University of Maryland College Park Foundation and assistant vice president for University Relations at the University of Maryland.

McDonald is not new to higher education in Georgia, her home state. At the University of Georgia, she worked as campaign operations director and assistant to the president. At the Medical College of Georgia, McDonald was assistant development director for the School of Medicine. She also has served as donor relations director at Georgia State University and manager of stewardship at Agnes Scott College.

“I am excited to return to my home state and join Middle Georgia State University to help make higher education accessible to everyone who wants to attend,” McDonald said. “I look forward to connecting to MGA alumni from across the state and beyond and helping create opportunities for them to continue engaging with their alma mater.”

McDonald holds a Master of Public Administration, Non-Profit Management, from Georgia State University, and an undergraduate degree in English from UGA.

Originally from Hampton, Ga., McDonald has also lived in Maryland and Alabama. She and her husband, Marc LaMotte, have two children.