The Emporia State University Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Martin “Marty” Smith as its new Senior Vice President of Development. Smith will officially assume his role on Monday, June 2, bringing a wealth of experience in institutional advancement and fundraising.
Smith joins the ESU Foundation from Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi, where he served as Vice President for Institutional Advancement. His extensive career also includes leadership roles as Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Development and Alumni Affairs at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga and Vice President for Advancement at Transylvania University, Illinois Wesleyan University and Ottawa University, his alma mater.
A Kansas native, Smith earned a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations from Ottawa University and a Master’s in Sports Administration from the University of Kansas.
Throughout his career, he has led record-breaking fundraising campaigns. At Ottawa University, he spearheaded the most successful campaign in the institution’s history at the time. He later secured over $141 million at Illinois Wesleyan to fund student scholarships, establish endowed professorships and enhance campus facilities. Most recently, during his three years at Millsaps, he played a key role in raising more than $75 million for critical college initiatives.
“Marty is a proven leader in higher education fundraising, and his experience will be instrumental in furthering the mission of the ESU Foundation,” said Jason Drummond, president and CEO of the ESU Foundation. “His passion for student success and dedication to building strong philanthropic partnerships make him a perfect fit for this role.”
Smith and his wife, Cindy, are excited to return to Kansas and become part of the Hornet Nation community.
“I am honored to join the ESU Foundation and contribute to the life-changing work being done to support Hornet students, Kansas and the region,” said Smith. “Cindy and I are thrilled to return home, reconnect with old friend, and build new relationships.”