February 20, 2001
External
Affairs VP to leave Middlebury College for position in
Providence
William F. Melton accepts vice
presidential post at Rhode Island School of Design
MIDDLEBURY,
Vt.Middlebury College vice president for external
affairs, William F. Melton, has been named vice president for
institutional advancement at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) in
Providence, R.I. Melton came to Middlebury College in 1993, where he
has had responsibility for development, alumni and parent programs,
publications and Web communications, public affairs, and grants.
Under his direction, Middlebury is currently completing a six-year
$200 million capital campaign. He also headed the Colleges
recently concluded Bicentennial celebration.
Over the next few months, Melton will
continue to direct Middleburys Bicentennial Campaign, which
will end on Jun. 30, 2001. Noting his mixed feelings as he leaves
Middlebury, Melton said, “My involvement in the Colleges
Bicentennial helped me to understand how brave it was to found a
school in the wilderness of Vermont in 1800. It takes just as much
courage to do what President McCardell and his leadership team have
begun at Middlebury 200 years laterleading faculty, staff,
students, and alumni into a dramatic new commons system of
residential life. I am honored to have been part of a liberal arts
college that is second to none the world over.”
Commenting on the announcement of
Meltons appointment, Middlebury College president John M.
McCardell, Jr. said that Melton has made significant contributions to
the success of the College. “Will Melton planned and managed the
largest capital fund raising effort in the history of the College,”
said McCardell. “As he assumes this exciting new opportunity, he can
do so with the knowledge that he has made a meaningful difference at
Middlebury College.” McCardell cited Meltons work on the
Bicentennial anniversary celebration, his creation of a strong
program in external affairs, and his skills as part of the
Colleges senior management team as some of the qualities for
which he will be remembered at Middlebury.
In announcing Meltons
appointment as vice president, Roger Mandle, president of Rhode
Island School of Design, said, “We are very pleased that Will Melton
will be joining RISDs senior staff. Mr. Melton brings over 25
years of experience in public relations, management, fund raising,
and strategic planning within the academic arena. Throughout his
career in educational fund raising, Mr. Melton has successfully
participated in seven capital campaigns, five of which he directed.
We look forward to welcoming him to campus and to
Providence.”
Melton commented on the appeal of
Providence to him and his family, and said that RISDs great
strengths as a center for education and the arts make it a major
driver in the renaissance of the region. “I just couldnt resist
Rogers invitation to be part of what hes helped to launch
in the college and the museum,” said Melton.
Prior to his tenure at Middlebury
College, Melton was director of development at Yale University School
of Medicine in New Haven, Conn., where he successfully completed the
medical schools $125 million campaign and was selected as a
member of the steering committee that planned Yales
record-breaking $1.7 billion drive. During this time, he
simultaneously directed a capital campaign for Yale-New Haven
Hospital to help fund the construction of a 200-bed childrens
hospital.
Melton has also held fund raising
positions at Northfield Mount Hermon School in Northfield, Mass.,
Friends School of Baltimore in Baltimore, Md., and Chatham Hall in
Chatham, Va.
Meltons volunteer activities
include service on the boards of The Cushing Whitney Medical Library,
New Haven Symphony Orchestra, and The Urban League of Greater New
Haven. He has also served as a consultant pro bono for various
organizations including Hospital Albert Schweitzer in Haiti and
Northfield Mount Hermon School. Among his other activities are
digital photography and a longstanding interest in military art and
photography.
Melton received his bachelor of arts
degree in religious studies from the University of Virginia. The
father of four children, he will relocate to Providence, R.I., along
with his wife Eliza Childs, a freelance editor.
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