Dawkins accepts position in Scotland; national search for fund-raising leader under way

By Kim Billings, Media Relations

Young P. Dawkins, III, president of the UNH Foundation, Inc., has accepted the position of vice principal for development at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. He begins his new position in June.

Dawkins has been at UNH for more than seven years. Under his leadership UNH received the largest individual gift in its history, set all-time records for both single-year and consecutive-year fundraising totals, and conducted the university’s most ambitious capital campaign which raised $102.8 million in less than three years.

A national search to replace him has begun. The search committee is chaired by David Brownell, of Stratham, vice chair of the foundation’s board of directors.

“Young Dawkins, through his fund-raising leadership, has raised the visibility of UNH to a new level, and we will find a replacement who will keep up the strong momentum he has established,” said President Ann Weaver Hart. “We wish him the very best in this new position.”

John Lippincott, president of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) said, "Young Dawkins is the consummate advancement professional. Not only has he provided inspired leadership at the University of New Hampshire Foundation, he has also been a recognized leader throughout the field of educational fund-raising. Among his many volunteer roles with CASE, he currently serves as a member of our Commission on Philanthropy and chair of the 2005 Annual Assembly.”

“What I saw for the University of New Hampshire when I first arrived was something akin to greatness,” Dawkins said. “The Foundation staff and I set about to make this a great university through our fund-raising efforts. From ocean mapping, to psychology, from a first- rate, award-winning renovated library to scholarships for UNH students living in the North Country, some of its greatness has been achieved. Our capstone, the capital campaign, promised a Next Horizon. And when the campaign was finished, we were at that next horizon.”

Dawkins remains at UNH through mid-May.