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BETHANY, W.Va. – The Rev. Dr. Tamara Rodenberg, president of Bethany College, is pleased to announce Mr. Chris Lambert as the College’s new Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Relations. Lambert, former senior executive director of philanthropy at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, will join the Bethany community on July 8.

“With more than 20 years of combined experience in wealth management and a successful track record of higher education fundraising and alumni engagement, Chris was clearly the top choice for this position,” Rodenberg said. “I am excited to welcome him to the senior leadership team and am confident he will grow our fundraising and alumni network in exceptional ways.”

Since beginning his higher education fundraising career in 2007, Lambert has moved through the ranks at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, serving as director of development and then director of corporate relations and government affairs before being promoted to his most recent role, where he managed Embry-Riddle’s planned giving, major giving, annual giving, donor relations and advancement services units. In 2017, Lambert also agreed to serve as interim vice president for philanthropy and alumni engagement, overseeing all fundraising activity and leading efforts to communicate with the university’s 140,000 alumni.

A Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE), Lambert personally raised more than $10 million in philanthropic support this past fiscal year. He also solicited $2 million to name a marquee academic building, which helped to close Embry-Riddle’s most recent comprehensive campaign, secured several multimillion-dollar gifts during his 12 years at the university, and led annual giving to five consecutive years of record numbers of individual donors.

Recognized on campus for his leadership abilities, Lambert also played a key role in Embry-Riddle’s strategic planning efforts, including leading the Strategic Implementation Team in the development of a five-year plan in the areas of fundraising and alumni engagement.

Before joining Embry-Riddle, Lambert spent 10 years in the areas of wealth management and trust administration with WesBanco Bank, Huntington National Bank, and Fifth Third Bank, respectively.

A 1994 graduate of Frostburg State University with a double major in international studies and business administration, Lambert went on to law school at the University of Baltimore School of Law, graduating with his J.D. in 1997.

“It was clear from my first conversation with President Rodenberg that Bethany College through its inspiring strategic plan, Bethany Connect, is positioning itself for even greater success across all areas of the institution,” Lambert said. “I am thrilled to join her cabinet and to help move the vision forward.”

About Bethany College

Founded in 1840, Bethany is the oldest private college in West Virginia. The Bethany experience focuses on academic excellence in the area of the liberal arts and prepares students for a lifetime of work and a life of significance.