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For Immediate Release

Written by: Louise Teague, 260-481-6495

Media contact: Linda Ruffolo, 260-481-6659

IPFW Hires Three New Development Officers

(Fort Wayne, November 9, 2007) -- The Office of Development at Indiana University—Purdue University Fort Wayne welcomes three new officers. Mr. Kelly A. Klinker, coordinator of annual fund and class gift, is a 2007 graduate of IPFW with a Bachelor of Arts in economics and business. His job responsibilities include management of the annual fund, which solicits donations from alumni for financial aid and support to current students by means of phon-a-thons and direct mailings. He will work to educate students and parents on philanthropy and the importance of supporting their alma mater, as well as implement various fundraisers with students. Klinker has been a sponsorship volunteer for the Indiana Pumpkin Growers Association. The former coordinator, Rose Costello, is now working for the IPFW Department of Human Resources.

Ms. Christina K. Smith is the new director of athletic development. Smith has a Master's in foreign affairs from the University of Virginia and a Bachelors in history, bible and religion from Huntington University. As an advisor to the U.S. government on issues relating to Islamic political movements, for the past six years she has been fundraising and speaking to audiences world-wide to establish faith-based humanitarian initiatives in Afghanistan. She was the founder and president of IMPACT Afghanistan in Midland, Michigan. Smith's role at the university is to implement comprehensive strategic planning and support for the IPFW NCAA Division I athletic programs. "My return to Fort Wayne and service at IPFW offer me a golden opportunity to give back to a community that has invested so much in me. I look forward to working with the university's many supporters to assist deserving student-athletes as they pursue their educational goals and athletic dreams through Division I competition," says Christina. Smith replaces Christy Sandmaier, who returned to the Fort Wayne Philharmonic to serve as their director of development.

Ms. Janet V. Nahrwold, director of major gifts, attended IPFW and then earned a degree in mortuary science. Her past positions in Fort Wayne include family services counselor at D.O. McComb & Sons Funeral Home and executive director of ARCH, Inc. Her job at IPFW will be to implement a successful major gift development program, expand the donor base for major gifts and bequests, and organize support from individuals, corporations, businesses, and foundations. Nahrwold commented, "I am very excited to be working in Development at IPFW. The campus atmosphere is supportive, friendly and invigorating." Nahrwold is taking over the position held by Kristina Johnson-Funk who is pursuing advanced studies in education.

Linda L. Ruffolo is in her thirteenth year at IPFW as executive director of development. For ten years Jay S. Thayer has served as assistant director of development.

For more information contact Linda Ruffolo at 260-481-6659. To view downloadable photos of the three new Development officers, go to www.ipfw.edu/news/resources/downloads.

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