Dr. Brendan Kelly appointed Interim Vice President for University Advancement
President Judy Bense announced today the appointment of Dr. Brendan Kelly as the interim vice president for University Advancement at the University of West Florida, effective July 1, 2013.
In this role, Kelly will serve as the university’s chief philanthropic officer and provide leadership to a team of more than 60 professionals in the Division of Advancement, overseeing the university’s integrated marketing and communication, development and alumni relations efforts. In addition, Kelly will lead the UWF Foundation, West Florida Historic Preservation, Inc. and WUWF Public Media.
Kelly currently serves as the director of School of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts and chair of the Department of Communication Arts at UWF.
“I am delighted to welcome Brendan into this interim post,” said Bense. “I know his natural and trained abilities as a communicator will serve UWF well in our fundraising efforts. It is gratifying that UWF has such strong leadership among our faculty ranks.”
A faculty member in the Department of Communication Arts since 2004, Kelly served as the director of the nationally recognized UWF Speech and Debate program, and specializes in speech communication training. He has taught courses in political communication, speech communication, communication ethics and various areas related to strategic communication.
Since arriving at UWF, Kelly has been recognized through multiple honors, including the UWF Distinguished Teaching Award; induction into the National Forensic Association Hall of Fame, Eastern Michigan University Outstanding Young Alumnus Award; induction into the Eastern Michigan University Forensics Hall of Fame; and UWF Faculty Excellence award in Student Affairs; and was recognized by the US Department of Defense as a Patriotic Employer.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to serve the university in this capacity,” said Kelly. “UWF is rich with energy and momentum, and I look forward to supporting President Bense in her efforts to strengthen the upward trajectory of the institution through my new role, leading the Division of University Advancement.”
Kelly earned his bachelor’s in Public Relations and master’s in Communication from Eastern Michigan University, and doctorate in Rhetoric and Political Communication from Wayne State University in Detroit.
Kelly will replace Dr. Kyle Marrero, who was recently named President of the University of West Georgia.
