Ag and FCS appoint directors

Michelle Kann

The ISU Foundation will continue to bring in money to the colleges with the appointment of two new executive directors of development.

William J. Messina was appointed executive director of development for the College of Agriculture, and W. Paul Brinkman was appointed executive director of development for the College of Family and Consumer Sciences.

Messina, who holds the designation “Certified Fund Raising Executive” from the National Society of Fund Raising Executives, said he meets with alumni involved in agriculture and corporations that appreciate the research done at Iowa State.

“The people here are very generous,” Messina said. “Millions of dollars are donated every year.”

Messina said the money raised is used for scholarships, building renovations, extension services and research.

Messina graduated from the University of Georgia in Athens with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in horticulture. He held development positions at both the University of Florida in Gainesville and Michigan State University in East Lansing.

“I have been involved in development work for the last 20 years,” Messina said.

Messina said the foundation also raises money for specific goals, such as maintaining the Reiman Gardens and the CARD program.

“There will be a dedication to the addition to Kildee Hall on Nov. 7,” Messina said. “The addition was paid for primarily through private dollars.”

The foundation also announced the appointment of W. Paul Brinkman to the position of executive director of development for the College of Family and Consumer Sciences.

Brinkman’s focus is to raise money for the development of the College of Family and Consumer Sciences.

“We have a variety of fund-raising techniques,” Brinkman said. “The major one is the Ring of Life Society.”

Brinkman said he works directly with the full-time director of alumni relations to keep in contact with the 21,000 alumni from the college.

“We have newsletters, phone contact and personal visits,” Brinkman said.

Brinkman said he has been in development work for 15 years. He has worked with seven major campaigns and has experience in various locations.

Brinkman joins the foundation following service as vice president for advancement at Grand View College in Des Moines, according to a press release. He also worked as an area director for a national multi-million dollar campaign while serving as a Lutheran pastor in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

“I saw coming to Iowa State as a fantastic opportunity,” Brinkman said.

He said the foundation has a goal of raising $4.3 million for the College of Family and Consumer Sciences, including $1.3 million to finish the renovations to the third floor of the Paulmer building and many other buildings still under construction.

“Every year, $1 million are used for scholarships and fellowships,” Brinkman said.

Brinkman also said he was impressed with ISU’s goal to become the best land-grant university in the nation.

“I’m excited to work with one the leading colleges in the area,” Brinkman said.

ISU’s College of Family and Consumer Sciences is No. 6 in the nation, and he said he’s accepted the challenge to make it No. 1.