Hollenbaugh named executive director of the SRU Foundation, Inc.
Dave Hollenbaugh is the new executive director of the Slippery Rock University Foundation, Inc., the nonprofit organization that supports SRU and its students.
Sept. 7, 2022
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. — The Slippery Rock University Foundation, Inc., board of directors has hired Dave Hollenbaugh as the foundation's executive director. The SRU Foundation is an independent, 501(c)(3) organization that supports Slippery Rock University and its students through charitable gifts, scholarships and other resources.
Hollenbaugh, who started in his role Sept. 6, has more than 18 years' experience in higher education advancement and development leadership. Hollenbaugh comes to SRU from Saint Vincent College, where he served in the roles of vice president for institutional advancement, associate vice president for institutional advancement, and campaign director from 2015-22.
"We're excited to welcome Dave to the team," said Harry Bertrand, chair of the SRU Foundation board of directors. "Dave brings significant experience in working with higher education foundations and truly understands our mission of promoting the priorities of SRU and its students. We look forward to developing new and innovative ways to financially support the University's students and programs."
As executive director, Hollenbaugh will report to the SRU Foundation board of directors and carry out the organization's mission of stewarding its charitable assets while leading a staff of three individuals.
"I'm eager to cultivate and steward the support that enables access to higher education for SRU students," Hollenbaugh said. "I look forward to growing and expanding the impact of the SRU Foundation. The people involved with the mission of the foundation -- the donors, staff members, and everyone else facilitating the programs and scholarships that make an SRU education possible -- have a profound effect on students' lives and launch them on a great trajectory for success."
Hollenbaugh replaces Edward Bucha, who retired after 32 years as executive director and 36 years overall at the University. Bucha helped transform the SRU Foundation into an organization that in the last 10 years has funded $21.7 million in scholarships for more than 14,000 students and increased total assets under management by nearly 80% to $47.4 million. Bucha also facilitated the largest gift in SRU history from an individual with the completion of a $1.8 million gift from the estate of Joseph McCandless.
"We're grateful for Ed's service to the SRU Foundation and the impact he's had on the University," said SRU President William Behre. "I'm looking forward to Dave joining the SRU community and building upon the success of the foundation because it's such an integral part of what we're able to do for our students."
A resident of Mercer, Hollenbaugh earned his bachelor's degree in business administration from Grove City College in 1992 and his master's degree in organizational leadership from Geneva College in 2000. Hollenbaugh served as the senior director of development at Grove City from 2004-13, before working as a development and management consultant for two years. Prior to his higher education experience, he worked in sales and marketing with corporate firms in the steel, insurance and employer services industries.
More information about the SRU Foundation is available at srufoundation.org.
MEDIA CONTACT: Justin Zackal | 724.738.4854 | justin.zackal@sru.edu