WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Joe Kammerer has been named the new director of development at Missouri State University-West Plains.
Kammerer, who has been the campus’ assistant director of development since June 2007 and served for the past several months as interim director of development, took over the director’s duties full time on Jan. 2.
“We are very excited to welcome Joe Kammerer as the new director of development,” Chancellor Drew Bennett said. “Joe has worked in the development office for five years, serving as interim director on two different occasions. His talent, enthusiasm and commitment have significantly contributed to our past success. We are confident that Mr. Kammerer will continue these successes and lead our campus to even greater achievements in the future.”
As assistant director of development, Kammerer supervised the implementation of the campus’ annual fund, as well as the creation of its promotional literature, volunteer training and event planning. He helped manage several events hosted by the development office, including the annual fund social and the Missouri State-West Plains annual auction, and he aided officials with the Friends of the Garnett Library in managing the group’s fund-raising events. In addition, he worked with individual donors to the university and served as sponsor of the campus’ Future Alumni Organization and Young Alumni groups.
During his two tenures as interim director, from August 2008 through January 2009 and from May 2012 until his hiring, Kammerer oversaw all aspects donor relations; implemented planned giving strategies for donors; solicited and developed private and instructional scholarships; implemented a group relations program to create and maintain supportive relationships with alumni, young alumni, future alumni, donors, community groups and leaders; supervised the development of departmental publications; prepared and managed the various budgets within the development office; and coordinated the receipt of charitable gifts and their allocation with the Missouri State University Foundation.
Prior to joining Missouri State-West Plains, Kammerer served four years as director of development for Peoria Christian School in Peoria, Ill. In that capacity, he oversaw all aspects of donor relations; provided oversight of the school’s annual auction, which involved 40 volunteers and raised over $120,000; implemented a group relations program to create and maintain supportive relationships with alumni, grandparents, churches and community groups; and managed the schools annual fund gala and direct mail campaign, which raised more than $350,000 annually.
He received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science degree from Eastern Illinois University in Charleston in 1992 and has since obtained professional training most recently through annual conferences of the American Association of Community Colleges and Council for Advancement and Support of Education.
Kammerer has received several honors and awards for his community and university service, including the 2011 Missouri State-West Plains Staff Appreciation Award, the 2011 Missouri State University Excellence in Community Service Award and the 2010 Greater West Plains Area Chamber of Commerce’s Volunteer of the Year Award.
He is president of the West Plains Chamber Non-Profit Alliance; an active member of the West Plains Community Foundation board, Greater West Plains Area Chamber of Commerce, Chamber Ambassador, and the West Plains High School Zizzer Advisory Board.
“I am excited to serve as director of development for Missouri State University-West Plains,” Kammerer said. “I have the pleasure of working with a committed faculty and staff equal to none, and it is an added pleasure to work within a community that embraces the mission of Missouri State-West Plains. I look forward to celebrating the campus’ 50th anniversary together.”