Julie Cryser, assistant dean for development in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, will be leaving WVU at the end of the month to become the president of the Fairmont State University Foundation. She has had a remarkable 18-year career securing private support for WVU and has impacted many different areas of the University. Her last day is Monday, April 22. Cryser will be recognized at a farewell reception on Friday, April 5 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Erickson Alumni Center’s Kennedy Club Room. The campus community is welcome to attend.
“Julie has had an amazing career and has been highly successful at WVU. Her impact has been felt across the University,” said Gregory Dunaway dean of the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences. “She will be sorely missed, but we are happy for her opportunity and wish her nothing but success.”
At the Eberly College, Cryser secured a significant gift from the One Foundation to establish a Center for Resilient Communities with Associate Professor of Geography Bradley Wilson. She was also instrumental in planning efforts to raise funds to support the construction of a facility at the Core Arboretum.
Prior to coming to the Eberly College, Cryser served as the assistant dean of advancement in the Davis College of Agriculture, Nature Resources and Design. During her time in the Davis College, she ensured the College reached and exceeded its campaign goal of $24 million, assisting Davis in ending the campaign at $30 million. As a part of the campaign, Cryser helped to secure the College’s second-largest donation in its history, a $6.7 million gift from the Hazel Ruby McQuain Trust to support renovations of the equine facilities on the J.W. Ruby Research Farm in Reedsville, West Virginia.
Cryser began her career at WVU in 2001 in the Reed College of Media, then known as the P.I. Reed School of Journalism, as a public relations and alumni coordinator and adjunct news-editorial lecturer. She moved to WVU Extension Service in May 2006, where she served as the development director. WVU Extension reached and exceeded its initial $4 million State of Minds campaign goal under her tenure.
Prior to joining WVU, Cryser worked as a reporter and editor in newspapers throughout West Virginia and Pennsylvania, having earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from WVU.
