Beaver State News

Mike Andreasen had two things he wanted to accomplish when he came to the UO in 2010 as the vice president of development.

“I came with two basic objectives,” he said. “Increase the amount of external work—the number of visits, the number of people we engaged—and building fundraising around the schools and colleges.” 

In the 12 years that followed, Andreasen would lead University Advancement through five presidents, establishment of an independent governing board, a global pandemic, completion of a historic $3.2 billion fundraising campaign, and transformational initiatives including the Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact and the Ballmer Institute for Children’s Behavioral Health. 

Additionally, his team would make student success and academic excellence defining aspects of the university’s fundraising and advocacy efforts, while also securing support for Willie and Donald Tykeson Hall (a permanent home for the College of Arts and Sciences), PathwayOregon scholarships, the Lyllye Reynolds-Parker Black Cultural Center, faculty endowments, and numerous other projects.

In December, Mike announced that he would be departing UO January 13, 2023 to become vice chancellor for development at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 

For many who reflect on his accomplishments, Mike was a source of stability amidst change and inspiration to think bigger and aim higher. When the pandemic hit, he called every UO development fundraiser to ask how they were doing and share some words of encouragement. He recalls the experience as both enriching and enlightening. 

“Mike has been a mentor and creative thought partner for me, and so many across the institution,” said Patrick Phillips, interim president. “His efforts in building, shaping, and growing university advancement has brought us into a new echelon of academic excellence and recognition.” 

During his tenure, Mike took on new responsibilities for university advancement, overseeing university development, government and community relations, and alumni outreach. Notable actions over this time included increasing the major gift threshold and instituting a dress code. In typical fashion, he jokes that he might have underestimated the importance of jeans in the Pacific Northwest, and in 2019 the dress code policy was relaxed. 

“He elevated our program and raised our sights, which in turn helped us to raise our donors’ sights,” said Ann Reeder, Senior Director of Principal Gifts. “He was creative and had the ability to see what was possible and the steps to get there, while also inspiring donors to get excited about the impact of their giving.”

As Senior Vice President for Advancement, Mike worked closely with the government and community relations and alumni teams. A role he describes as “being at the intersection between society, education and philanthropy.” 

In this role he helped support each of the government relations domain areas (state, federal, and community) and make strong connections to philanthropy and alumni relations, while building strong partnerships with key Oregon stakeholders, elected officials, and leaders. 

“Mike understands external relations is both an art and a science, one that depends upon meaningful relationships and also substance that helps decision-makers take action,” said Betsy Boyd, associate vice president for federal affairs. “I’ve appreciated his vision, passion, and advocacy.” 

“Mike has been a terrific advocate, helping the UOAA to increase our programs and communications in our efforts to better serve Duck alumni in all stages of flight,” said Raphe Beck, associate vice president for alumni relations. 

“He was instrumental and very progressive," said Dave Petrone, ’66, MBA ’68, longtime UO donor and friend of Mike’s. “The university has taken a step up. We have more vision into what we’re doing and are more highly thought of as a university.” 

Longtime fans of the Oregon Coast, and with a community of colleagues and friends in Eugene, Andreasen and his wife Marie expect to be back for visits. He is also deeply excited to see where the university goes from here and will be keeping an eye from afar. 

His parting advice to his advancement colleagues? “This is not a moment to hit pause,” he said. This is a moment to build upon. Continue to be bold and audacious.” 

Original source can be found here