Each year, the St. Louis Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals celebrates National Philanthropy Day by recognizing those who have made exceptional contributions to the local philanthropic community and beyond.
At this year’s ceremony, held Nov. 13 at America’s Center in downtown St. Louis, one of Washington University in St. Louis’ own received special acknowledgement — the association’s Lifetime Achievement Award — for his dedication and long-running success: David T. Blasingame, executive vice chancellor for Alumni & Development Programs.
“I’m delighted that David has received this richly deserved professional recognition,” Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton said.
“It has been my privilege to work closely with him for the past 19 years. David is a wonderful colleague, an extraordinarily effective leader, and has been instrumental to the success of our fundraising efforts for the past four decades.”
In the 1980s, Blasingame served on the leadership team of the Alliance for Washington University campaign. From 1995-2004, he was responsible for the Campaign for Washington University, which secured 165 new endowed professorships — a record for any university at that time — and raised $1.55 billion. Also under Blasingame’s leadership, the university launched in 2009 Opening Doors to the Future: The Scholarship Initiative for Washington University, which has led to nearly $277 million in new scholarship support.
Currently Blasingame oversees Leading Together: The Campaign for Washington University. To date, the initiative has raised $1.675 billion.
The native of Little Rock, Ark., came to St. Louis in 1965 as a Washington University freshman, and earned both a bachelor’s degree in psychology in Arts & Sciences and an MBA degree from Olin Business School. He returned to campus in 1974 as associate director of alumni relations in Alumni & Development Programs.
Since then, Blasingame has served as director of development for Olin Business School and as associate vice chancellor for schools in Alumni & Development Programs. He was appointed vice chancellor for Alumni & Development Programs in 1990, and promoted to executive vice chancellor in 2004.