TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) President Elmira Mangum, Ph.D., today announced the appointment of George Cotton Sr., as vice president for University Advancement and executive director of the FAMU Foundation, Inc.
Cotton was selected after an extensive nationwide search and will assume his position with the University in July. He replaces long-time FAMU administrator and educator Thomas J. Haynes, Ph.D., who retired in March.
As the vice president for Advancement and executive director of the University’s Foundation, Cotton will be responsible for the sustained enhancement of the University’s fundraising efforts, including directing University relations with alumni, the FAMU Industry Cluster, and other sectors. He will also oversee the management and operation of the University’s Foundation, a non-profit organization that serves as the custodian of contributions from the private sector, alumni, supporters, and industry.
Cotton brings to FAMU nearly 30 years of experience in advancement. He was appointed the assistant vice president for Major and Planned Gifts at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, N.C. in 2013, after serving as senior director for Development since 2011. Cotton’s responsibilities at Wake Forest included directing fundraising initiatives for the Institute for Regenerative Medicine and managing strategies in support of the comprehensive capital campaign.
Cotton’s expansive background crosses a wide range of organizational development experience, including having served as a motivational speaker, lecturer, and consultant on diverse matters related to non-profit advancement and organizational dynamics. Prior to his tenure at Wake Forest, he served as associate director of Institutional Advancement at Southern Illinois University and as the director of development in the College of Science at George Mason University in Virginia. He is credited with successfully operating capital campaigns for non-profits, school systems, and universities that have raised a combined total of more than $625 million.
“We are pleased to have someone with the breadth and depth of experience of George Cotton to join our leadership team,” said Mangum. “His demonstrated leadership and fundraising skills will enable us to develop and implement a comprehensive development strategy that will fully engage alumni, industry cluster, and supporters in supporting the University at a level that will help us fulfill the vision to become a premier and internationally recognized land-grant research institution committed to exemplary
teaching, research, and service.”
Cotton expressed his enthusiasm regarding leading the University’s advancement efforts.
“I am extremely excited about joining the FAMU senior leadership team,” said Cotton, who holds a master’s degree from Arkansas State University. “I have followed President’s Mangum first year at FAMU very closely and she has shown herself to be a dynamic and adaptive leader, which is why I am honored to become a member of the FAMU family. I look forward to making my contribution towards helping the University to become a best-in-class doctoral research institution with a significant global presence.”
In announcing Cotton’s appointment, President Mangum also expressed her gratitude to Haynes for his contributions to the advancement of FAMU during his tenure.
“The mark Thomas Haynes has left on FAMU will never be forgotten,” said President Elmira Mangum, Ph.D. “His tireless efforts to promote and garner financial support for FAMU have helped to both advance and sustain the University.”
Haynes, an FAMU alumnus, served as vice president for University Advancement since 2011 and has worked at the University in various capacities since 1977. His previous roles included associate vice president for University Relations, executive director of the Career and Cooperative Education Center, and associate vice president for University Relations.