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FSC hires new major gifts officer

LAKELAND, Fla. (Oct. 5, 2001) - Florida Southern College has named Eric Dennis as major gifts officer. Reporting to the vice president for advancement and working in conjunction
with the entire fund-raising team, the major gifts officer is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors to secure gifts of at least $10,000 annually. Additionally, Eric will spend at least 25 percent of his time fundraising for athletics.

"We are pleased to have Eric join our fundraising team," said Robert H. Tate, vice president for advancement. "A native of Winter Haven and a graduate of Santa Fe High School, Eric has many connections in the Polk County area. His experience in both athletics and
fundraising will help him as he works to secure additional funding for the college."

A former college basketball player, Dennis was among the first employees of the Orlando Magic when he took the position of director of video scouting and special events in 1986. He later became the advance scout, working with players during practice sessions. During his employment with Orlando Magic, Dennis founded "The Magic Youth Camp," which became the Magic Youth Foundation. He also served as operations director for "The Orlando All-Star Classic."

From 1991 to 1995 Dennis served as regional scout for the Detroit Pistons. He became general manager and head coach at the minor league level, giving him an opportunity to coach several players who moved on to successful NBA careers.

Dennis coached a season at Indiana State University before taking a position as college administrator at Robert Morris College in Illinois and later Hood College in Maryland. Most recently, he served as director of athletic fundraising at Chicago State University.

Dennis earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Central Florida and a master's degree in educational leadership from Chicago State University.

About Florida Southern College
Florida Southern is a four-year, private, co-educational liberal arts college affiliated with the United Methodist Church. The college offers more than 40 undergraduate majors and a master of business administration degree accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Located in Lakeland, Fla., the college is home to the largest, single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture in the world.

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