Elizabeth A. Garvin, executive vice president and CEO of the MIT Alumni Association, has been appointed vice president for institutional engagement at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). She will assume her new responsibilities there Aug. 1.
"It has been an extraordinary privilege to serve MIT for so many years. The Institute is a rare and wonderful place, and I will greatly miss all of my colleagues in the Alumni Association and across MIT who have made my work here so gratifying," said Garvin.
Harbo Jensen, president of the MIT Alumni Association Board of Directors, said the Alumni Association had flourished during Garvin's tenure. "Her commitment and enthusiasm to MIT and the Alumni Association show in outstanding results. Students, alumni, and parents are engaged as never before, which is demonstrated in increased participation in almost every dimension."
Garvin began her career at MIT more than 20 years ago as a research analyst in Resource Development, and subsequently held a number of key positions for the Alumni Association, including director of reunion giving, director of class programs, alumni fund director, and managing director.
As CEO of the MIT Alumni Association, Garvin restructured the organization to enhance alumni activities, communications, and fundraising and to maximize association resources, while remaining dedicated to its original mission "to further the well-being of the Institute and its graduates by increasing the interest of members in the school and in each other." In 2002, the MIT Alumni Board recognized her as an Honorary Member of the Alumni Association, the highest award given to non-alumni at MIT.
"The partnerships that Beth and the Association staff have developed with many alumni now provide a strong foundation for continued growth for many years." Jensen said. "We will certainly miss Beth and wish her all the best at RISD."
Jensen added that a search committee for a new executive vice president of the MIT Alumni Association is being formed, and that Scott Marks '68, who was president of the Alumni Association two years ago, has agreed to chair the panel.
A version of this article appeared in MIT Tech Talk on June 4, 2008 (download PDF).
