The office of university advancement and external relations has recently hired two new directors of development.
Lora Malone and Kassie McCoy will both serve as directors of development, working together to assist donors in making philanthropic gifts to the university.
“The director of development positions are designed to provide contact between the university and our donors and friends who may become our donors,” said Marty O’Gwynn, vice president for university advancement and external relations.
Prior to her appointment at OCU, Lora Malone served as director of the University of Central Oklahoma Alumni Association. Malone has more than 24 years of experience in higher education and alumni relations. She assumed her duties on Nov. 18.
Kassie McCoy has previously worked as a campaign manager, director of a political action committee, and more recently as a lawyer for Taylor, Foster, Mallett, Downs, Ramsey and Russell Law Firm in Claremore, OK. McCoy is an alumna of the OCU School of Law, receiving her Juris Doctorate from the university in 2012. Her first day was on Dec. 1.
“They are both very eager to work with us on furthering the mission of OCU by helping our friends and donors sustain their relationships with the university,” O’Gwynn said.
Paty Lopez, stage management sophomore and student engagement coordinator for university advancement, said fundraising is important because it gives value to your degree.
“We come here because we know they can give us the tools we need to be successful,” Lopez said. “Even when you leave the university your degree from OCU has a positive stigma.”
These roles were vacated after the former directors left for other job opportunities. Alumna Mandy Heaps left in Sep. for a position with the OSU Foundation. In Oct. Shawna Garcia left to work as a pharmaceutical sales representative with the medical supply company Quintiles.
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