Contact:

Sara McClure, (505) 277-9520 Steve Carr, (505) 277-1821

October 26, 2001

UNM FOUNDATION/DEVELOPMENT OFFICE NAMES MCCLURE MANAGER OF MAJOR GIFTS

Sara McClure has been named to the position of manager of Major Gifts at the University of New Mexico Foundation. Previously, McClure was the chief development officer in the College of Fine Arts at UNM where she spent five years.

Through her efforts, the College improved the "Fine Arts Finest" scholarship program with the addition of a showcase comprised of current scholarship students.

McClure brings 20 years of fundraising experience to one of the University's most important strategic fundraising positions. She replaces Leslie Elgood, who was named president of the UNM Foundation and director of Development earlier this summer.

"I look forward to working on behalf of the entire University to bring additional resources and much needed private support to this wonderful community," said McClure.

Prior to coming to UNM, McClure was the first-ever manager of major and planned giving, both regionally and nationally, at the American Heart Association (AHA) in New York City. At the AHA, McClure lowered the cost of fundraising to involve the medical community in the overall process. She transformed the AHA's fund-raising methods, resulting in a substantial increase in major gifts.

McClure is a board member of the New Mexico Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and will take office as president of the organization in January 2002. McClure was recently elected to a three-year term on the Board of Trustees at Mills College in Oakland, Calif. where she earned her bachelor of arts degree in music.

The Bay-area native is also a graduate of the American Symphony Orchestra League's Orchestra Management Fellowship program, which is a highly-competitive, nationally-based, one-year training program for arts and non-profit managers.

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The University of New Mexico
Public Affairs Department
Hodgin Hall, 2nd floor
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0011
Telephone: (505) 277-5813
Fax: (505) 277-1981