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Hartsville, S.C. (May 10, 2010) -- Thomas W. Giffin has been named Coker College’s new Vice President for Institutional Advancement. He was formerly a Senior Director of Development at Clemson University. At Coker, Giffin will oversee the College’s fundraising and alumni initiatives and report to the president as an administrative officer.

“Tom has a tremendous track record in higher education and his passion for improving higher education is evident,” said Dr. Robert Wyatt, Coker College president. “His energy and broad range of experience will greatly benefit  Coker’s fundraising, alumni relations and the College as a whole.”

In the past year at Clemson, Giffin was assigned to generating major gifts from individuals in the state of Florida. Previously, he worked as the Senior Development Director for Clemson’s College of Health, Education and Human Development, raising cash, pledges, and in-kind and planned gifts from individuals, foundations and corporations for the college.

Previously, Giffin served as a Director of Development at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., where he established the initial fundraising efforts for the Graduate School and the University Honors program. During his last two years at Virginia Tech, his energies were centered on the nationally recognized University Honors program, securing private funding for several new scholarship programs and establishing a series of alumni events.

Giffin has also held key fundraising positions at the University of North Carolina-Pembroke and has worked with the West Virginia University Foundation in raising funds for Potomac State College in Keyser, W. Va. He has additional extensive experience in alumni relations, marketing communications, and public affairs while serving at a branch campus of Penn State University and with the third largest United Way in Pennsylvania.

A native of Cumberland, Md., Giffin holds a master’s of science degree in sport administration from St. Thomas University in Miami, Fl., and a bachelor’s of arts degree in journalism from Shippensburg State University in Pennsylvania.

Giffin and his wife, Terry, have a son, Captain Nathan Brown, who is presently serving in the U.S. Army in Afghanistan as a J.A.G. officer.

Coker College was assisted in the search for a new Vice President for Institutional Advancement by Kenneth D. Carrick, Jr., partner-managing director of Coleman Lew & Associates of Charlotte, N.C.

Founded in 1908, Coker College is an independent, comprehensive college with a liberal arts core required of all students. Coker provides quality educational experiences in and out of the classroom that prepare graduates for professional and personal success. U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks Coker one of America’s Best Colleges. The Princeton Review rates Coker a Best Southeastern College based on academic reputation and student satisfaction.

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