National Vice President for University Advancement Search Ended -

^{Koby Harrington addresses guests at the Oklahoma City University Holiday Gala in the Wanda L. Bass School of Music atrium. Harrington began his career at OCU as the Assistant Vice President of Advancement before filling in the role of interim Vice President for University Advancement, finally being chosen as the full-time Vice President for University Advancement. (Photo Courtesy of Oklahoma City University)}

President Kenneth Evans announced Koby Harrington as the new Vice President for University Advancement on December 6, 2023. This comes after the abrupt departure of former Vice President Lynann Sterk-Brooks, prompting a national search.

The Vice President for University Advancement is the first of three vacant presidential cabinet positions to be filled in the 2023-2024 academic year.

Harrington served as the Assistant Vice President for University Development since joining the university in 2021. University leaders appointed Harrington to his new role on an interim basis in September before promoting him to vice president.

In recent years, the university has sustained substantial annual donations contributing to several endowed scholarships & professorships, which Harrington has aided in developing. According to an email statement addressed to the campus community from the Office of the President, “During Harrington’s time at OCU, the university has experienced all-time highs in donor participation and recorded successive 10-year highs in fundraising in 2022 and 2023.”

President Evans shares enthusiasm about the decision, adding, “Koby’s contributions and leadership in the areas of fundraising and donor and alumni relations have helped position the university for present and future success.”

Harrington has a long track record working in development and holds the Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) accreditation. After earning his undergraduate degree in public relations and master’s degree in human relations, leadership and organizational development, Harrington worked for several organizations, including Walt Disney World Resorts and the Beta Theta Pi International Fraternity Foundation. Before coming to OCU nearly three years ago, Harrington served as Director of Advancement for the Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts at the University of Oklahoma.

He looks forward to serving the campus in his new role and is confident that he can help the university continue to grow.

“I am energized by our wonderful alumni and supporters who continue to answer the call and dream big for the future of OCU… Our university has a bright future ahead of us, and I am thrilled to be able to play in role in that journey,” Harrington said.

University leadership is excited to see him keep up this momentum.