The Ohio State University at Marion welcomes Tracy Schilling as its new donor experience specialist beginning February 27, 2023.
The donor experience specialist role is a new position created after Gary Iams retired from Ohio State Marion at the end of 2022. Iams served the campus for 16 years as a development officer where he built many strong relationships in the community and served on various boards and committees.
“Gary was a wonderful asset to Ohio State Marion and we miss him greatly. His knowledge and experience in donor relations and development was a solid building block for our department,” said Catherine Gerber, director of development and community relations at Ohio State Marion.
The position will take more of a donor stewardship focus and bring innovation and enhancements to events and opportunities to engage with donors and potential donors. This role will also focus more on fund and prospect management and work closely with the director of development and community relations.
A resident of Union County who has been engaged with the Marion community for the past almost thirty years, Tracy Schilling holds a Master of Arts in Organizational Communication (summa cum laude) and a Bachelor of Science in Applied Communications (magna cum laude), both from Ohio University. Schilling’s professional background in people development at Whirlpool, Marion Operations, his change management prowess, and his ability to work collaboratively and connect internal and external stakeholders will serve well in this position.
“I am excited to be a Buckeye. I look forward to bringing my experience to this position and building strong and meaningful relationships on campus and within the community,” said Schilling.
For Schilling, this is an opportunity to connect donors and students and create opportunities to show appreciation to those who have affinity to Ohio State Marion and all that it offers. Schilling will join a team of six at Ohio State Marion in development, community relations and communications and report directly to Gerber.
“I am excited for Tracy to join the Ohio State Marion team. His passion and drive toward donor engagement and stewardship will enhance the experience of our donors and help spread the word on the excellent work taking place on our campus,” said Gerber.