Clemson University is announcing an organizational realignment designed to strengthen the University’s philanthropic enterprise and enhance operational excellence across the institution.
The Clemson University Foundation (CUF) CEO’s dotted-line reporting relationship will shift to Vice President for Advancement Brian O’Rourke. This realignment fosters a unified philanthropic strategy and enables the Foundation to operate with greater agility. Informed by benchmarking with 30 peer institutions and an internal analysis, this change will enhance clarity and strategic alignment between the CUF and Advancement teams.
Moving forward, CUF will continue its focus on core operational functions — including gift management, endowment management and financial support for the University — while Development will continue to lead efforts in donor engagement and relationship building. The result will be a more cohesive and focused approach, eliminating overlap and empowering each team to deliver excellence in its respective area.
Additionally, there will be a transition in leadership. Karen McCauley has stepped down from her role effective November 10 to pursue new professional opportunities. We are grateful for her contributions and leadership during her tenure. Noel Geoffroy ’92 has agreed to serve in the role of interim CEO.
This adjustment is part of Clemson University’s broader initiative to elevate strategic competitiveness and operational excellence across the enterprise. Through the ongoing work of the Office of Institutional Excellence (OIE), Clemson continues to review and refine organizational structures to better position the University for long-term success.
