INDIANAPOLIS—The Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) has named Dr. Eugene R. Tempel, executive director of the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University, a winner of the 2007 James L. Fisher Award for Distinguished Service to Education. The Fisher Award is given for extraordinary service to education of national and/or international significance, beyond service to a single institution or state. Past recipients include J. William Fulbright, The Ford Foundation, Herman B Wells, Robert L. Payton, the United Negro College Fund and Lilly Endowment Inc.

Tempel is a nationally recognized expert in the study and practice of philanthropy and nonprofit management. He was deeply involved in the creation of the Center on Philanthropy and has served as its executive director since 1997. During the past two decades he has held numerous leadership positions for Independent Sector and with the Association of Fundraising Professionals, where he currently serves on the Ethics Committee. The NonProfit Times has named him to its list of the country's 50 most influential leaders in the nonprofit sector each year since the list was created.

According to CASE, Tempel is receiving the James L. Fisher Award for “serving as teacher and mentor to many in the advancement profession, and as a national leader in raising the status and visibility of the nonprofit community.” He has played significant roles in promoting professionalism in the field of development as well as developing the study of philanthropy as a rigorous academic discipline.

A professor of philanthropic studies, higher education, and public administration, Tempel previously served as vice chancellor of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and as vice president of the Indiana University Foundation. He is a member of several nonprofit and for-profit boards of directors and formerly chaired the Indiana Commission on Community Service and Volunteerism. He is the author and co-author of a long list of books and articles that have influenced the field.

Tempel earned a B.A. degree in English and philosophy from St. Benedict College, an M.A. in English, and a doctoral degree in higher education administration from Indiana University and holds Certified Fund Raising Professional designation. He will be honored during a July 9, 2007 luncheon at the CASE Summit for Advancement Leaders in Chicago.

The Council for Advancement and Support of Education is one of the largest international associations of education institutions, serving more than 3,300 universities, colleges, schools and related organizations in 54 countries. CASE is the leading resource for professional development, information, and standards in the fields of education fundraising, communications, and alumni relations.

The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University is a leading academic center dedicated to increasing the understanding of philanthropy, improving its practice and enhancing participation in philanthropy through research, teaching, public service and public affairs programs in philanthropy, fundraising, and management of nonprofit organizations. A part of the Indiana University School of Liberal Arts at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), the Center operates programs on the IUPUI and IU Bloomington campuses.

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