Vice president for development to retire from full-time duties

David Shrader, vice president for development, will retire from full-time duties at the university on July 31; he will continue to work half time for UNT in fund-raising and teaching.

"I love what I'm doing and love working with the staff here in the Office of Development — they are such talented, committed professionals. But there are so many other things that I also enjoy," Shrader says. "My new role here at UNT will allow me to return to the reason I began my career in higher education — teaching. And I am looking forward to having more time to spend with my family, particularly with my parents."

Shrader took over the operations of the Office of Development on an interim basis in Spring 2001 to oversee the end of the university's capital campaign. When the campaign, which launched publicly in March 2000, met its $150 million goal two years early, he agreed to continue as the full-time vice president.

"David's leadership of our development office has brought greater stability and increased productivity to the ever important role of our fund-raising efforts" says President Norval Pohl. "And no matter the role he has filled at the university, his service has been outstanding. So while I'm sad to see him retire, I'm glad to know he will continue to work with us in a part-time capacity both in development and on faculty."

In the fall, Shrader will begin work for the university on modified service, continuing to work in donor development and performing many of his current duties until a new vice president is named. In addition, he will resume teaching the "Arts, Media and Entertainment Management" class offered through the Murphy Enterprise Center in the College of Business Administration

"I really enjoyed working with Mitch Land, Lew Taylor, Tom Clark and the folks at the Murphy Center the semester before I returned to administration, and I am looking forward to teaching with them again next semester," Shrader says.

During his tenure as vice president, the Office of Development has continued the capital campaign quietly and expects it to come to a close in May 2004 with $200 million raised. The office also experienced its two most successful fund-raising years under his leadership. However, Shrader says he is most proud of the work he has done to strengthen the ties throughout the university family.

"One of my goals as vice president — and one of Dr. Hurley's [former chancellor] as well — was to build stronger relationships between the Office of Development, the university community and the extended university family, which includes our alumni program — the North Texas Exes, the UNT Foundation and the athletic department," he says.

Shrader first joined UNT in 1992 to helm the university's internationally renowned College of Music. Under his leadership, the college realized a 40-year-old institutional objective by opening the Murchison Performing Arts Center in February 1999. He resigned his position as dean in August 1999 to return to teaching and to serve as special assistant to the chancellor.

A percussionist, Shrader holds bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Iowa and a doctorate from the University of Oregon.

In his free time from the university during his modified service, Shrader plans to spend time with family and pursue the ideas he has for a number of small businesses and creative ventures — including starting a band.

"Before I took the position as dean of the College of Music, I had a small band that played every Wednesday night, and that was the highlight of my week, so I'll definitely be putting a little band together soon," he says.

BY KELLEY REESE kreese@unt.edu

Other featured articles in this issue

• UNT names interim dean of Toulouse School of Graduate Studies
• State retiree insurance coverage qualifications to change Sept. 1
• Faculty, staff to enjoy exclusive Student Recreation Center preview Aug. 13-15
• Science and Math Teacher Academy receives funding
• Walkers, dollars needed for Denton-area American Heart Walk in October
• Volunteers needed for UNT's annual Sunday Fun Day event Aug. 17
• Mean Green season ticket packages available

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