INDIANAPOLIS—Eugene R. Tempel, executive director of the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University, will leave that position August 31, 2008 to become president of the Indiana University Foundation, Indiana University President Michael A. McRobbie announced today.
Charles R. Bantz, Indiana University Executive Vice President and Chancellor of Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), where the Center is headquartered, announced that Patrick M. Rooney, Ph.D., director of research at the Center, will serve as its interim executive director. A blue-ribbon search committee will be appointed to conduct a national search for a permanent successor.
“Through Gene Tempel’s outstanding vision and direction, the Center on Philanthropy has grown to become a key leader in philanthropy education and in the nonprofit sector nationally and internationally,” Bantz said. “Its expertise, research, academic programs and public service initiatives bring tremendous pride, recognition and opportunities to Indiana University and IUPUI. Gene has assembled at the Center an exceptional leadership team, faculty and staff that will move the Center’s mission forward with excellence.”
Rooney has directed the Center’s research activities since 1999. He created its formal in-house research program, building it into one of the premier philanthropy research organizations in the nation, and also served as the Center’s chief operating officer for two years. He previously was special assistant to the Indiana University vice president for long-range planning and chancellor of IUPUI and simultaneously served as assistant dean for academic programs for Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus. Rooney is a nationally recognized scholar and a professor of Philanthropic Studies and economics.
“Patrick Rooney brings both significant executive leadership experience in higher education and strong relationships with nonprofit sector experts and professionals nationwide,” Bantz continued. “Under his direction, the Center will continue its important leadership in serving the Central Indiana community and the nonprofit sector across the nation and around the world. Additionally, his extensive academic and research background is an asset at a time when the Center is expanding its academic offerings through its Ph.D. program and other initiatives. He is the right person to guide the Center during this transition.”
“I am honored to be asked to serve as interim executive director,” Rooney said. “The Center is a remarkable organization, and, building on the successes it has achieved under Gene’s leadership, it is poised for an exciting future. I am looking forward to working with our outstanding board of visitors, donors, faculty and staff as we strive to achieve new levels of excellence.”
Tempel, who has led the Center since September 1997, played an integral role in envisioning and founding it a decade earlier and has been involved in its development throughout its 20-year history. He previously served as vice chancellor for external affairs at IUPUI and was vice president of the Indiana University Foundation from 1985 to 1989.
Under Tempel’s leadership, the Center has experienced substantial growth and made many important contributions to philanthropy education, research and practice. Among notable accomplishments during that period are:
- Developing a cutting-edge program of research that is vital to understanding the nonprofit sector and provides translational research to strengthen nonprofit organizations.
- Overseeing the expansion of a new academic field of study, Philanthropic Studies, and serving as a model for other universities nationally and internationally.
- Creating the nation’s first traditional Ph.D. in Philanthropic Studies, whose graduates conduct research to aid nonprofits and donors. They are among the first generation of scholars specifically trained to teach in this field.
- Establishing five endowed faculty chairs in philanthropy, the largest number of such chairs anywhere.
- Developing The Fund Raising School into an international program and expanding its course offerings. The school trains more than 8,000 people each year in how to do professional, ethical fundraising.
- Establishing the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving and the Third Millennium Philanthropy and Leadership Initiative and bringing the Women’s Philanthropy Institute to the Center to develop understanding of specific areas of philanthropy and serve donors, clergy and nonprofit sector professionals.
- Convening key national nonprofit leaders and scholars to address pressing issues in the nonprofit sector.
- Receiving a $40 million endowment grant from Lilly Endowment to help support the Center’s operations.
“It has been a privilege to be part of the Center from the beginning and to watch it grow and develop through the expertise, dedication and skills of the Center’s exceptional staff and faculty,” Tempel said. “"I am confident the excellent team we have developed will continue the Center's extraordinary work."
The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University is a leading academic center dedicated to increasing the understanding of philanthropy and improving its practice worldwide through research, teaching, public service and public affairs programs in philanthropy, fundraising, and management of nonprofit organizations. It operates programs on the IUPUI and IU Bloomington campuses.
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