INDIANAPOLIS--Rita Bornstein, Ph.D., president of Rollins College, and Charles R. Stephens, CFRE, managing consultant at Skystone Ryan, will be honored for their ongoing philanthropic service as the 2003 recipients of the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University's most prestigious award, the Henry A. Rosso Medal for lifetime achievement in ethical fundraising.
The two will receive the award at a dinner celebrating their accomplishments on Thursday, August 21, at 6:30 p.m. at the University Place Conference Center and Hotel on the campus of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), where the Center is headquartered.
The Henry A. Rosso Medal is presented annually to recipients who have a lifelong dedication to emphasizing the ethics and values of philanthropy, serve as a mentor to perpetuate and invigorate the tradition of philanthropy, and are widely recognized for leadership in a long and productive career of distinction.
"The medal is awarded to professional fundraisers and volunteers who, through a lifetime of service and dedication, embody the ideals of ethical fundraising," Center Executive Director Eugene R. Tempel said. "Hank Rosso envisioned a profession of people who are not only expert fundraisers, but who uphold the moral and ethical standards of philanthropy. This year's honorees have made remarkable contributions in the field."
Since 1990, the Center has presented this distinguished award, which honors Henry A. "Hank" Rosso (1917-1999), a founder of the Center on Philanthropy and founding director of The Fund Raising School. Mr. Rosso received the first award for his work in establishing a means for fundraising professionals to learn about ethical philanthropic fundraising and for creating concepts of discipline and dignity in the profession.
"These two outstanding leaders deserve recognition for the fine example they set for the fundraising profession," said Timothy L. Seiler, director of public service and The Fund Raising School at the Center. "Both are accomplished, devoted fundraisers who have demonstrated a steadfast commitment to ethical fundraising and innovative leadership throughout their careers."
Dr. Bornstein has served since 1990 as the 13th president of Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. She was named to the George D. and Harriet W. Cornell Chair of Distinguished Presidential Leadership in October 2001 when Rollins received the first endowment of a college presidency in the nation.
Under her leadership, Rollins conducted the largest fundraising campaign in its history, exceeding its $100 million goal by more than $60 million. At the University of Miami, Dr. Bornstein directed a five-year campaign that far surpassed its $400 million goal, raising $517.5 million. At the time, it was the second largest fundraising campaign in the history of American higher education.
Dr. Bornstein earned her B.A. and M.A. degrees in English literature from Florida Atlantic University, and a Ph.D. in educational leadership from the University of Miami. In addition to the 2003 Rosso Award, she has also been recognized by the Institute for Charitable Giving with its Laureate for Lifetime Achievement in Fundraising.
The chair-elect of the CASE Board of Trustees, Dr. Bornstein is also the past president of the Southern University Conference and past chair of the Associated Colleges of the South. In addition to her work as an author of journal articles, books, and book chapters, she has served as a director for several corporations and was active on the councils of several national and regional higher education associations.
Mr. Stephens has been an active leader in the philanthropy community for nearly four decades. His career of service includes two terms as chair of the now 26,000-member Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and extensive experience with higher education and national associations.
Mr. Stephens is currently a management consultant with the fundraising firm Skystone Ryan in Atlanta. Prior to his work at Skystone Ryan, Mr. Stephens served for five years as the Director of Development and Communications at The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University. He has also served in many senior level positions at the Morehouse School of Medicine, where he established the development office, and at Dillard University, Clark College, and Clark Atlanta University.
A veteran faculty member of The Fund Raising School, Mr. Stephens has taught fundraising courses since 1984 in the school that Hank Rosso founded. He is a graduate of Morehouse College and received his master's degree in administration from Central Michigan University.
Mr. Stephens has been a highly esteemed member of AFP since he joined in 1967. Since 1997, AFP has annually awarded The Charles R. Stephens Diversity Award to an AFP chapter. In addition to his professional positions, Mr. Stephens has also made significant contributions to the field through his service on nonprofit boards, his presentations on fundraising to schools and churches, and his commitment to mentoring young people.
For more information, contact Adriene Davis or Ty Gerig at (317) 236-4912 or
(317) 684-8906.
