I am pleased to announce that I have appointed Mr. Matthew J. Ter Molen as Vice President for Institute Advancement, effective January 1, 2023. Matt Ter Molen joins the Rensselaer community from Syracuse University, where he has held the position of Chief Advancement Officer and Senior Vice President since being appointed in December 2014. In this role, he oversaw all advancement operations at Syracuse University, including the planning, launch, and execution of the $1.5 billion University-wide campaign “Forever Orange.” The Forever Orange Campaign has raised more in private philanthropy than at any other time in Syracuse University history, with more than $1.2 billion raised to date. Matt is thrilled and honored to be joining the Rensselaer community and looking forward to working with the faculty, students, and alumni worldwide to advance the mission of Rensselaer.  

Before joining Syracuse University in 2015, Matt held the position of Associate Vice President for Development and Campaign Manager at Northwestern University. In this capacity, he directed, planned, and launched the University’s $6 billion comprehensive campaign, “We Will. The Campaign for Northwestern.” Before serving as the Associate Vice President, Matt served as the Assistant Dean for Advancement for the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences at Northwestern University. 

Matt holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. After graduating from Miami, Matt served for two years in the Peace Corps in Honduras before starting his first fundraising position at the University of Chicago, where he began as an assistant director in annual giving. From 1990 to 1998, he held successive positions at the University of Chicago, including Regional Major Gifts Officer and Director for Annual Giving. Matt is a frequent speaker with CASE and recently served on the faculty of the CASE Newcomers in Development conference in September.  

Matt was appointed in October 2022 as a consultant to provide strategic support for the Division of Institute Advancement. I am pleased and ask you to join me in welcoming Matt Ter Molen to the Rensselaer community as the Vice President for Institute Advancement.