Michael Schoenfeld named Middlebury's vice president for College Advancement

MIDDLEBURY, Vt.-Ronald D. Liebowitz, president of Middlebury College, has appointed Michael D. Schoenfeld as vice president for College Advancement. Schoenfeld, 53, has served as acting vice president for College Advancement since July 1, following the departure of Sally C. Holland, who had held the position since 2001. As vice president, Schoenfeld will be responsible for the College’s fund-raising programs, alumni and parent programs, communications, and public affairs.

In making the announcement, Liebowitz cited Schoenfeld’s experience in key areas of the College’s operations. “Mike Schoenfeld has both a deep and broad knowledge of Middlebury College, its mission, its faculty and staff, its alumni, and, having served as dean of enrollment planning since 1995, its students,” said Liebowitz. “He also brings to the position an understanding of what prospective students hold most important in choosing their college. We are so fortunate to have a person with Mike’s talents and experience in this position at this time. I am enthusiastic about this appointment,” said Liebowitz.

Schoenfeld said he looks forward to working with Liebowitz and the staff of College Advancement to ignite passion about Middlebury’s plans for the future among alumni and other College constituents. “This is an auspicious time for Middlebury College,” said Schoenfeld. “We have a new president, with 20 years of experience at Middlebury, who is determined to build on the incredible progress that Middlebury has made in recent years to move the College to the very top ranks of American higher education. We have a hard-working and supportive board of trustees, an incredibly loyal and dedicated alumni body, a talented and diverse student body, and involved parents. There is every reason to believe we can set and meet ambitious goals,” he said.

Schoenfeld takes over as vice president at a time when Middlebury has enjoyed considerable success in raising money. In May, the College announced the receipt of a $50 million anonymous challenge gift and an additional $10 million donation that will be applied to meeting the challenge. College officials note that these and other recent gifts are of considerable importance in helping to offset the sizable investment the College has made in recent years to move Middlebury forward in an increasingly competitive environment, but monetary contributions must continue at a substantial level to sustain momentum. “I have learned firsthand from my work in admissions and financial aid that Middlebury is competing for the very best students in the country against schools with far more financial resources,” said Schoenfeld. “Middlebury must continue to do all that we can to support students and faculty to remain attractive in this extremely challenging environment. I look forward to working with President Liebowitz and the extended Middlebury family as we prioritize our needs and develop a plan to secure our future,” said Schoenfeld.

A Vermont resident since 1961, Schoenfeld is a 1973 graduate of Middlebury College. He received a master’s degree in education from the University of Vermont in 1979. He has held the position of dean of enrollment planning at Middlebury since 1995. Prior to assuming the deanship, he was actively involved in raising money for the College for 10 years as director of development, director of principle gifts, and director of capital and planned giving. Schoenfeld first came to Middlebury as an alpine ski coach in 1981. He was a math and science teacher from 1973-1977 at Burke Mountain Academy in East Burke, where he also coached skiing.

Schoenfeld and his wife, Jane, are the parents of two grown children. They live in Middlebury.

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