Hamilton, NY — Murray Decock, director of development in the Division of University Relations at Colgate University, has been promoted to the position of associate vice president for development.
A 1980 graduate of the university, Decock joined the Colgate staff in 1994. He held the positions of director of class giving and director of reunion giving before becoming director of the annual fund in 1995. In 1998 Decock became director of development, responsible for leading the college’s various fundraising initiatives. Under Decock’s direction, Colgate has made significant fundraising accomplishments. Most recently, 2000-2001 was the best non-campaign fundraising year in Colgate’s history, with $24,475,849 in gifts to the college, including an all-time Annual Fund record of $8,928,936, more than $1 million in gifts from parents of current and former students, and a record number of members in the Presidents’ Club (leadership donor gift society).
A pianist, Decock has also been a piano instructor at Colgate since 1987. He served as assistant conductor and accompanist for Colgate’s chorus from 1987 to 1994, and taught music at Indiana University School of Music from 1981 to 1984. He holds an M.Mus. in piano performance and literature from Indiana University (1984) and a D.M.A. in piano performance and literature from the University of Maryland, College Park (1995).
As associate vice president, Decock will focus on the planning phase of the college’s next fundraising campaign while continuing to direct the staff and programs that he currently manages. ‘Murray’s new position not only recognizes the current leadership that he provides the core functions in the Office of Development, but also reflects the increased scope of his responsibilities as we pursue important new fundraising goals,’ said Robert Tyburski ’74, vice president for university relations.
Colgate University, founded in 1819, is located in Hamilton, New York. A highly selective, independent, liberal arts college with 256 faculty members and 2,750 undergraduate men and women enrolled in programs that lead to the bachelor of arts, Colgate also offers a small graduate program. The university’s general education core curriculum embodies Colgate’s longstanding commitment to integrated learning. The American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) recently designated Colgate as one of 16 Leadership Institutions that offer a national model for excellence in innovative education. Students currently enrolled at Colgate hail from 44 different states, 3 U.S. territories and 26 countries. Log on to www.colgate.edu to learn more about Colgate University.