Colgate University Announces Promotions in the Office of Alumni Affairs

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Hamilton, NY — Colgate University Vice President for University Relations Robert Tyburski announced that RuthAnn Speer Loveless and Robin Summers have been promoted in the Office of Alumni Affairs. Loveless was named associate vice-president and Summers is now director of alumni affairs. Tyburski said, ‘Thanks to RuthAnn and Robin’s efforts, Colgate has one of the best alumni relations programs in the country. The reorganization connected to their promotions not only recognizes their professional accomplishments but also demonstrates our confidence in their ability to assume greater levels of responsibility. Their efforts will enhance the quality and scope of our alumni programs that are designed to foster life-long connections between the alumni and the college.’

As associate vice president, Loveless will continue to provide general oversight for the programs and staff of the alumni office, serve as a staff resource for the campaign steering committee, and cultivate the interest and support of key alumni prospects and volunteers. Her responsibilities and role as spokesperson for the college will increase at alumni events across the country and she will continue to serve as executive secretary of the Alumni Corporation Board of Directors. Loveless will also devote more time to the alumni board, a dynamic volunteer group.

In her elevated role, Summers will dedicate more time to further developing Colgate’s Internet services that electronically engage its alumni. She will manage the staffing for alumni reunion, hundreds of annual club events, and all campus-based alumni programs. She will also manage the day-to-day operations of the office and its five-person staff. In addition, Summers will work closely with the alumni board and other staff members within the Division of University Relations as Colgate shapes and implements programs to build on the outstanding foundation of alumni offerings currently in place.
Loveless has been a Colgate employee for 16 years. Originally hired in career services in 1984 as its assistant director, Loveless advanced, holding progressively more responsible roles in the department. In 1989 she was hired in the annual support office as director of reunion giving, a post she held until being named director of alumni affairs.

A 30-year resident of Hamilton, Loveless is widely recognized as an active, committed civic leader. She currently serves as president of the Hamilton Community Chest, a program she has supported for the past ten years. She is vice president and chair of planning for Hamilton’s Partnership for Community Development, and has held leadership roles on the Hamilton Central School Board for 15 years and the Madison-Oneida BOCES Board for 13 years.

Summers and her husband Eric live in the village of Hamilton. Both are rowing enthusiasts and are actively involved with the Syracuse rowing community. Most recently Eric was hired as associate director of Colgate’s Annual Fund.

Founded in 1819, Colgate University is a nationally ranked, highly selective, residential, liberal arts college enrolling nearly 2,750 undergraduates. Situated on a rolling 515-acre campus in central New York State, Colgate University attracts motivated students with diverse backgrounds, interests and talents.