For Immediate Release: Thursday, August 28, 2003
Contact: Dave Geringer, UTPA Sports Information Director, (956) 381-2240

DAWN PRICE JOINS UTPA AS ASSISTANT ATHLETIC DIRECTOR FOR DEVELOPMENT

EDINBURG, TX-A fund-raiser with experience at the highest level of university development is the new Assistant Athletic Director for Development at The University of Texas-Pan American.

Dawn Price, who was the Development Officer for the Presidents' Circle and the Director of Annual Fund Programs at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, will join the Texas-Pan American athletic department, effective September 1.

A native of Racine, Wisconsin, where she graduated from Horlick High School, Price earned a bachelor's degree in English at Carthage College in Kenosha, WI and a master's degree in Mass Communication at Drake.

She began her marketing career as the Director of Resource Development at Generations, Inc. in Des Moines, then moved on to Drake. As Development Officer for the Presidents' Circle at Drake, she was responsible for the overall management of a $1 million leadership giving program for the annual fund.

As Director of Drake's Annual Fund Programs, she was responsible for the overall management of a $2.6 million annual giving program. Price served as a member of the university's Major Gifts Council, led the athletic annual fund and was in charge of corporate and general alumni donations, represented the annual giving program to the Board of Governors' Institutional Advancement Committee and National Alumni Board, and served as a member of the President's cabinet.

For the last three years, Price oversaw development as the Vice President for External Affairs at Planned Parenthood of Greater Iowa. She helped plan for the anticipated launch of an $11 million capital campaign for one of the nation's largest Planned Parenthood affiliates.

Price has direct experience with athletics as well. She was involved with Drake's women's basketball season ticket campaign for 10 years. Her husband, Jerry Price, is the new Dean of Students at UTPA.

"I'm very excited to take my professional skills and apply them to an area that I have enjoyed so much as a fan," said Price. "I have a high regard for student-athletes and their experiences. Having known the student-athletes at Drake, mostly through Jerry's work, I'm excited to help facilitate their success."

"We are pleased to announce the addition of Dawn Price as our athletic program's Assistant Athletic Director for Development," said UTPA Director of Athletics William J. Weidner. "Dawn comes to UTPA with a wealth of extensive development and fund-raising experience. She is well-versed in regards to the initiation and maintenance of successful fund-raising strategies in both the private and the public sectors. Her strong organizational skills, proactive approach and excellent track record of building positive relationships with clients will serve her well at UTPA."

"As our athletic department continues to grow, it is of critical importance that we continue to insure that each of our sport programs are supported properly," Weidner continued. "The naming of Dawn Price to this very important position will enhance our department's continued effort in regards to accomplishing this goal as our entire athletic program moves forward. On behalf of our entire athletic program at The University of Texas-Pan American, we welcome Dawn Price as the newest member of the UTPA family."

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