Iowa State will be losing one of its top fund-raisers to Purdue University this summer.

Murray Blackwelder, vice president for External Affairs, is leaving the university to be senior vice president for Advancement at Purdue, beginning July 1.

Blackwelder said he accepted the position because of the opportunity to lead a $1 billion fundraising campaign, and the chance to work with Purdue President and former ISU President Martin Jischke.

“I was excited about joining Dr. Jischke and his leadership, plus going and doing a major campaign,” he said.

Development, fund raising, public radio, publications and public relations will be the main focus of his position at Purdue, Blackwelder said, as well as being the liaison with the alumni association.

After being at Iowa State for 10 years, Blackwelder said he will miss working with the faculty, staff and students at the university.

“It’s a difficult decision,” he said. “I’m just very proud of what we’ve accomplished at Iowa State.”

However, Blackwelder is excited about the new opportunities Purdue will provide.

“I’m looking forward to a new challenge,” he said.

Rab Mukerjea, former ISU assistant to the president for budget and planning, also left Iowa State to follow Jischke. Mukerjea began as the new director of strategic planning and assessment at Purdue March 1, after Jischke became president of the university Aug. 13.

ISU Interim President Richard Seagrave said Blackwelder has done a lot for Iowa State. He said Blackwelder served as director of the ISU Foundation when he first came and most recently as vice president for External Affairs, where he has been responsible for fund raising, athletics and external relations.

“He’s led all of those activities with great enthusiasm and significant accomplishment,” Seagrave said. “External Affairs is a team operation, but Murray is the leader of the team, and he has been very successful.”

Seagrave said Blackwelder will be missed.

“[Purdue is] a great opportunity for him,” he said. “I’m really sad, not only for myself but for Iowa State, to lose him. He’s been a wonderful colleague and a great leader.”