|
Rodney C. Bussey, vice president for alumni relations and development
at Berea College, began early retirement in August, after a highly
successful career in education, 25 years of which has been with
the College. Although his official retirement began September 1,
Bussey will continue as a consultant to Berea College.
Larry D. Shinn, Berea College president says, "Rod Bussey's
greatest strengths have been his passion for the mission of Berea
College and his compassion for people. Rod is a true son of Berea
College. He has never forgotten his roots in the coal town of David,
Kentucky and the growth that occurred when he studied at Berea
College. He always mentions both of those influences when telling
'his story' to alumni, donors or friends of Berea." Shinn
continues, "I am saddened, of course, that Rod will cease
working full-time at Berea College, but delighted that he will
continue part-time as a consultant. Rod will continue to be a faithful
son of Berea College."
Upon the announcement of Bussey's early retirement, R. Elton White,
Chairman of the Board of Trustees stated, "Berea College is
very fortunate to have had Rod Bussey as a leader of its alumni
and development programs. Berea's mission, to provide free scholarships
for our students, is dependent upon gifts and endowment investment
returns. Rod has done an outstanding job of leading our development
efforts to record levels. We will miss Rod's day-to-day impact,
but through the strong teams and programs he has built, we will
feel his presence for many years into the future."
Bussey first arrived from the coal fields of eastern Kentucky
on the Berea's campus forty years ago to earn his B.S. in business
administration. During his successful four-decade career in education
as a teacher, fund-raiser, administrator, consultant, and coach,
Bussey also earned the respect of his colleagues.
Bussey's first post, after graduating from Berea in 1963, was
as fourth grade teacher and coach at the Harbor Country Day School,
St. James, Long Island, New York, where he served from 1964 to
1967. He returned to Kentucky to serve at the Lexington School,
Lexington, Ky., where he became head of the middle school and assistant
headmaster. At that time, Bussey also became active as a volunteer
with Berea College's alumni chapter in Fayette County. Later, he
was elected as a member of Berea's Alumni Council. After serving
eight years at the Lexington School and completing his master's
degree at Eastern Kentucky University, Bussey returned to Berea
College in 1975, as director of alumni relations. While serving
in that capacity for eight years, he brought new life to the alumni
program. Many of the components that are so much a part of Berea's
alumni program today, including the Student Alumni Relations Council,
Alumni College, Alumni Travel Program, and the Alumni Directory,
were all initiated or revived by Bussey.
During his tenure as Alumni Director, Bussey demonstrated his
skill in nurturing relationships among alumni and Berea College,
by introducing future alumni to the College's needs, while they
are still students, and by bringing alumni together on campus or
on tours for continuous learning experiences. Berea College's Alumni
Association is stronger and enjoys even greater alumni loyalty
thanks in great measure to Bussey's masterful efforts. In recognition
of his successful work, the Council for Advancement and Support
of Education (CASE) presented Bussey with the "Exceptional
Award" for dramatic improvement in Alumni Relations. The Berea
College Alumni Association also honored him with the "Award
of Special Merit" in 1998. "Rod has served as a mentor
and friend to many. Over the years, he has encouraged many Berea
College students and alumni in their careers and given them insight
in their vocations," states Jackie Collier Ballinger, '80,
current Alumni Director. "When the Alumni Council decided
to honor Rod in 1998 with the Award of Special Merit, it was agreed
that there was none better who fit the criteria."
In 1983, Berea College named Bussey vice president for alumni
relations and development, the position he held until his retirement
this September. After his appointment as Vice President, he completed
the final phase of Berea's successful $45,300,000 capital campaign,
which ended in 1984. He also directed the development and implementation
of the fund raising plan for Berea's $70,000,000 capital campaign
in 1987-1992. He directed a forty-three-member team in Development,
Alumni Relations, and Public Relations; comprising one of higher
education's most successful and respected advancement programs.
Bussey's leadership in development was recognized by CASE in 1993,
when he was presented CASE's "Circle of Excellence Award" for
Berea College's exemplary fund-raising program. "We're reaping
benefits of development efforts initiated years ago and upon which
we've built," Bussey points out as he modestly deflects personal
praise and ensures that many people be credited for the College's
successful fund raising activities.
Donors to Berea College recognize Bussey's commitment and enthusiasm.
Phil Ranney, a Cleveland, Ohio, attorney who manages a number of
charitable foundations, including the Second Foundation which is
a significant donor to the college, recognizes Bussey's special
qualities. "I deal with hundreds of representatives from colleges
and other organizations who request funds from the various foundations
which I manage," Ranney says. "Rod stands out above the
rest for three reasons. First, of all the others, he is the most
dedicated to the organization he represents, showing not just a
professional connection, but a sentimental and emotional attachment.
The second reason," Ranney continues, "is that Rod is
the most fertile-minded development officer I have ever met. He
has been so creative in coming up with challenge grants or other
clever ways to inspire gifts being made. And, the third reason,
Rod is excellent at following up. That is an area where others
fail," explains Ranney.
Those qualities have been evident to college administrators throughout
his tenure. Current Berea College President Shinn says, "Rod's
compassion for others stems from his firm belief that every person,
just as every donor, is important. Rod and the staffs he has
taught raise friends and dollars for Berea College, and in that
order. I have learned much from Rod's passionate and compassionate
way of making friends and making dollars for Berea College."
While Berea College has been the primary focus of Bussey's skills, he has shared
his expertise by consulting for the benefit of a number of schools, colleges,
seminaries, hospitals and other non-profit organizations. Drawing on his wealth
of experience, Bussey has been a popular speaker at a wide variety of seminars,
conferences, and workshops on all aspects of alumni relations, development,
management and leadership. Bussey also has been an active member of CASE, having
served as an officer at both the district and international levels. His skills
as a teacher have been valuable to students at Berea College who have taken
the Philanthropy and Volunteerism class he leads each Short Term. Through his
influence and inspiration, many of his students have gone on to pursue careers
in higher education as development, admissions and alumni officers. One such
former student is Joe Bagnoli, '88, who is admissions director of Berea College. "I
was once told that the mark of a good teacher was someone who loved to learn
themselves and, as importantly, loved to share what they learned. Rod Bussey
represented a model teacher for me while a student at Berea College" Bagnoli
says. "His enthusiasm for knowing and giving what he knew to me as a student
in his Institutional Advancement Short Term course seemed parallel to the motives
of Berea's most sincere donors. He gave from his inheritance without regard
for his own sacrifice."
While reflecting on his many accomplishments at Berea, Bussey
says the one that has been the most significant and rewarding was "meeting
Helen on the sidewalk on the College Square in October, 1962," referring
to his wife, Helen Adams, Cx '66. The Busseys have two daughters,
Kelly Bussey Evans, Cx '87, and Kimberly Bussey Gay, Cx '92; and
four grandsons, Benjamin and Braedon Gay, and Austin and Andrew
Evans. To have achieved all of his many professional successes,
one might conclude he has little time for other interests, however,
Bussey is a noted gardener, sports enthusiast and rookie fly fisherman.
As a true Berean, Rod Bussey has effectively used his talents
and his love for Berea College to help make it an even better place
than he knew as a student. He has ably demonstrated his dedication
to the College and his love and concern for the people who make
Berea such a special place.
|
 |
