GRINNELL – Grinnell College President Raynard S. Kington today announced the appointment of Shane Jacobson as the college’s new vice president for development and alumni relations.

Jacobson comes to Grinnell from the University of Vermont Foundation, where he served as vice president for development and campaign manager. Since his arrival, UVM has seen considerable growth in fundraising activity, setting an all-time record for total new gift commitments and receipts at the 223-year-old institution. Jacobson supervised a staff of 17, works with major and principal donors to the university, and is the senior staff liaison to the board’s Governance Committee.

“Shane comes to Grinnell with strong, relevant experience in development and alumni leadership,” said Grinnell College President Raynard S. Kington. “He has demonstrated success in shaping a culture of philanthropy and in building a successful and motivated group of staff members. He also is a successful fundraiser. We look forward to welcoming him to Grinnell, and we are glad that he’s chosen to return to Iowa.”

A native of Webster City, Jacobson earned a B.A. degree in communications at Iowa State University. He then worked in the university’s admissions office before joining ISU’s alumni relations staff, where he managed the national alumni clubs program. While at Iowa State, Jacobson held positions of increasing responsibility, leading ultimately to his appointment as senior director of development.

Clint Korver ’89, chair of Grinnell’s Board of Trustees, noted, “We entrust to Shane a substantial element of our financial wellbeing. Grinnell provides a first-class education to the very best students without regard to their ability to pay. Only a small group of elite colleges share this enviable position-one made possible only by the generous support of our alumni and other stakeholders. Shane brings impressive skills and experience to this crucial role, as demonstrated by his successes at the University of Vermont. We look forward to similar successes at Grinnell.”

Jacobson said he was excited to join the development and alumni relations team at Grinnell. “Alumni engagement and private philanthropy are essential components to enhancing the experience of students and faculty,” he said. “I look forward to collaborating with President Kington and the Grinnell community to further showcase the excellence of this remarkable college.”

In addition to his B.A. degree, Jacobson earned an M.Ed. degree in educational leadership and policy studies from Iowa State. He also has completed the Harvard Graduate School of Education Management Development Program.

At Grinnell, Jacobson succeeds Beth Halloran, who left the college in January 2014 to become senior vice president of advancement services at The Minneapolis Foundation in Minnesota.