Rodney Slater, former secretary of the U.S. Department
of Transportation and a 1977 Eastern Michigan University
alumnus, will chair EMU's comprehensive campaign.
Slater, now a partner with the Washington, D.C., law firm
of Patton Boggs, LLP, was delighted to have been asked
to accept the position of chairing EMU's campaign. A comprehensive
campaign is one that benefits students, faculty, programs,
facilities and endowments.
 |
CAMPAIGN CHAIR: Rodney
Slater, former
secretary of the
U.s. Department of
Transportation
during the
Clinton presidency and a 1977
EMU graduate,
will chair Eastern
Michigan University's
comprehensive
campaign. |
"Rodney Slater was chosen for this role because of his
strong and abiding love for the University; his executive-level
experience in overseeing large, complex initiatives; his
intellect and savvy; his stature as both a prominent alumnus
and noteworthy national public figure; his ongoing connections
to colleagues at the university; and his interest in making
a contribution of significance to his alma mater," said
EMU President John Fallon. "Rodney Slater is the perfect
choice for this role. In addition to the reasons mentioned
above, he is results-oriented and can be expected to keep
all who are involved in the campaign on their toes and
accountable at every step of the way. He also is success-oriented:
he will not accept anything short of achieving the campaign
goals. Finally, he is passionate about the University and
the projects that the campaign will embrace."
"Rodney is an experienced fundraiser. He's a
charismatic speaker and sits on several corporate boards," said
Darryl Sczepanski, vice president for advancement and executive
director of the EMU Foundation. "He has a recognizable
name. That package is what makes a perfect campaign chair."
Slater served as Secretary of Transportation under former
President Bill Clinton from 1992-2000. The Cabinet department
for which Slater was responsible had 100,000 employees
and an annual budget of $60 billion from 1997-2001. Slater
also was the first African American head of the Federal
Highway Administration.
During his tenure as Secretary of Transportation, Slater
championed and received bipartisan congressional support
for the passage of several historic legislative initiatives,
including the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century
(TEA-21), which guaranteed a record $200 billion in surface
transportation investment through 2003, and the Wendell
H. Ford Aviation Investment Reform Act for the 21st Century
(AIR-21), which provides a record $46 billion to provide
safety and security of the nation's aviation system. Under
his leadership, the federal transportation budget doubled
and, in the department's "best in government" strategic
and performance plans, the scope and definition of transportation
was expanded to include a focus on safety, mobility and
access, economic development and trade, the environment
and national security. In addition, Slater provided his
expertise to countries around the world, focusing on safety
and security issues for improving global transportation
and critical infrastructure.
In 2002, Slater was one of six recipients of the NCAA's
Silver Anniversary Award at the annual NCAA Convention
in Indianapolis. The Silver Anniversary Award recognizes
former student-athletes who have distinguished themselves
since completing their college athletic careers 25 years
ago.
At Eastern Michigan University, Slater lettered in varsity
football and was the top scholar-athlete on the team in
1976. While serving as captain of the football team at
EMU, Slater rushed for 562 yards and finished his career
with 1,330 yards. He also was a member of EMU's 1977 national
forensics champion team and was a two-time All-Mid-American
Conference academic choice. He went on to attend the University
of Arkansas School of Law, earning a Juris Doctorate in
1980.
Eastern Michigan University presented him with its Black
Alumni Achievement Award in 1994 and an honorary doctorate
in 1996.
Dale Heydlauff ('78), senior vice president at American
Electric Power Co., in Columbus, Ohio; and Jaclynn Tracy
('74, '77' '79) chair of EMU's Department of Leadership
and Counseling, will serve as vice chairs of the campaign.
Delores ('62) and William Brehm, of McLean. Va., will
serve as the campaign's honorary chairs.
The University began the comprehensive campaign with an
organizational and planning phase in July 2005. In July
2006, a two-year "advance
gift" or "quiet" period began, in which
the University seeks large donors to get the campaign off
to a strong start. Gifts of $250,000 or more are targeted
during this phase. In fall 2008, the "public phase" of
the campaign will begin, with gifts of $25,000 or more
the main focus of this phase.
Funds raised from the campaign would go toward scholarships;
increased support for faculty programs and new initiatives;
and an ever-growing need for new, updated and restored
campus facilities.
For more information about the comprehensive campaign,
call Sczepanski at 487-9991.
