Charitable giving has an enormous impact on the life of the University. The Office of University Advancement seeks to establish philanthropic opportunities and partnerships for the University's many alumni and friends. By engaging individuals, businesses, foundations and others in the University’s goals, we create meaningful philanthropic partnerships that strengthen Fairleigh Dickinson University now and in the future.

Administration and Staff

Richard Reiss, Senior Vice President for University Advancement

Phone: 201-692-7003
Email: reissr@fdu.edu

As the University's chief development officer, the senior vice president for university advancement provides direction for and leadership to the University's philanthropic and alumni relations programs. Reporting directly to the President, he is a member of the President's Cabinet and the liaison to the Board of Trustees' Advancement Committee. Current initiatives include expanding meaningful alumni programming and the implementation of a comprehensive major gifts effort.

Helene Pier, Executive Assistant to the Senior Vice President of University Advancement

Phone: 201-692-7003
Email: hpier@fdu.edu

Managers and Directors

Richard Datzko-Banta, Manager of Donor Relations

Phone: 201-692-7005
Email: rdatzkobanta@fdu.edu

Leslie Frucht, Director of Development Operations and Systems

Phone: 201-692-7021
Email: frucht@fdu.edu

Development Operations and Systems is responsible for financial reporting, gift processing, account reconciliation, matching gift program, maintaining database of 122,375 constituent records, acting as liaison to MIS and Accounting, and training staff on the alumni database system, Benefactor.

The Office of Research and Records supports the University's fundraising efforts by providing information and analysis on prospects and donors; tracking the cultivation, solicitation and stewardship activity of prospective and current donors; and maintaining the integrity of the database and files.

Chris Groff, Assistant Vice President of Corporate and Foundation Relations

Phone: 201-692-7007 (Metropolitan Campus)
Phone: 973-443-8001 (Florham Campus)
Email: cgroff@fdu.edu

The Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations is responsible for the strategic management of the University's relationships, specifically in the areas of philanthropy, with the corporate, foundation and association communities. The Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations at FDU provides strategic consultation to the President, faculty and administrators, including planning, research and writing assistance, throughout the entire grant seeking and stewardship processes.

Karin Hamilton, Executive Director of Alumni Relations, Director of Special Projects

Phone: 201-692-7035
Email: hamilton@fdu.edu

Jeffrey Knapp, Director of Development – University Athletics

Phone: 201-692-7152
Email: jknapp@fdu.edu

Kenneth Lam, Director of Annual Giving

Phone: 201-692-7006
Email: kenneth_lam@fdu.edu

Karen Ann Lewis, Executive Director, One University Many Dreams

Phone: 201-692-7015
Email: klewis@fdu.edu

Delia G. Perez, Director of Planned Giving

Phone: 800-980-0064
Email: dgperez@fdu.edu

Delia works with alumni, friends, faculty and staff in considering such thoughtful charitable gift options as bequests, charitable gift annuities, life income trusts, pooled income fund, real estate and retained life estates, life insurance, IRA charitable beneficiary designations, and other deferred gifts. Delia manages the acceptance and administration of all planned gifts. She works with our benefactors, executors of estates and donor financial advisors wherein the University is named as a beneficiary while providing due diligence in serving both the donor's and FDU's best interests.

Laura Reynolds, Director of Special Events

Phone: 201-692-7036
Email: laura_reynolds@fdu.edu

The Director of Special Event's primary role is to ensure the seamless execution of fundraising events on behalf of Fairleigh Dickinson University. Such events include the annual Charter Day awards dinner which supports scholarships for motivated students.

Jillian Sandoval, Associate Director of Corporate and Foundations Relations

Phone: 201-692-7008
Email: jillian_v_sandoval@fdu.edu

Margarita Santiago, Development Operations Specialist

Phone: 201-692-7023
Email: amaro@fdu.edu

Meaghan Schoppe, Assistant Director of Development and Alumni Relations

Phone: 201-692-7023
Email: schoppe@fdu.edu

Anne Sherber, Director of Advancement Communications

Phone: 201-692-7016
Email: asherber@fdu.edu

Jennifer Troxell, Assistant Director of Development and Alumni Relations

Phone: 201-692-7017
Email: Jennifer_troxell@fdu.edu