The Williams Education Fund has a new coordinator.
Jeff Long, first-year athletic director at the University of Kansas, announced this week the hiring of Ryan White as Kansas Athletics’ senior associate athletics director for development.
White, who previously held the same position at Ohio University, will be responsible for overseeing and coordinating all aspects of the Williams Education Fund, including annual giving, major gifts and capital campaign fundraising efforts.
“Ryan has proven himself to be an exceptional fundraiser at multiple, respected universities, and a national leader among development professionals,” Long stated in a news release from KU. “But more than that, he has displayed an engaging disposition that endears him to donors of every level. Jayhawk fans and donors will enjoy getting to know him. Ryan is a welcome, outstanding addition to the KU team.”
Long hired White to oversee both the Williams Education Fund and K-Club, as well as to work closely with KU Endowment, the KU Alumni Association and the KU sales team in regards to athletics giving and seating.
At Ohio, where he began working in 2013, White oversaw annual and major gift initiatives, and helped in the completion of five major facility projects: a new academic center, football and women’s basketball locker room renovations, baseball turf installation and a weight room renovation. White also assisted in getting Ohio new donor hospitality areas for the athletic department’s basketball and football venues.
Prior to his time at Ohio, White worked for fundraising departments at the University of Virginia and at North Carolina State University.
“My family and I are extremely excited about the opportunity to join the Kansas Athletics staff,” White said in the news release, in which he also thanked both Long and Chris Freet, KU’s deputy athletics director for external engagement. “Kansas Athletics has a rich tradition filled with passionate and generous alumni, donors and friends. I look forward to building on the past successes and continuing to elevate our fundraising program in the Big 12 and nationally.”
Previously the director of the Williams Education Fund for Kansas Athletics since Aug. 2016, Matt Baty left the department this past November.
