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Kim Burnett
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In the spring of 2019, Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Executive Director of the Salem State University Foundation, Inc, Cynthia McGurren ’83 will retire from Salem State after 31 years of exceptional service to her alma mater.
“Cynthia is the embodiment of Viking Pride and has wielded her talent, energy and passion to inspire others to invest in this university and our students. Cynthia’s legacy will live on in the lives she’s touched, the students who will continue to receive scholarships, and the friendships she’s developed for the benefit of the university and its students,” said Salem State University President John Keenan.
Under McGurren’s leadership, Salem State Foundation’s endowment grew from $5 million to $30 million. She personally has raised nearly $26 million in spendable and endowment funds for the university over her 14-year tenure as chief fundraiser.
Over a time when student need for financial assistance has continued to rise, the university’s endowed scholarships grew by 557 percent, adding $9.5 million more in scholarship funds under McGurren’s leadership.
McGurren was a key visionary in ensuring the successful completion of our first-ever comprehensive campaign, the 10,000 Reasons Campaign, raising over $26.5 million. She is particularly proud of the ability of campaign leaders and members of our campus community to reach an astounding 94 percent participation rate of giving from full-time faculty and staff.
A non-traditional student, McGurren enrolled at Salem State as a transfer student at the age of 28. She graduated two years later with a degree in general studies, a concentration in public relations, and minors in business administration and English.
“It has been my great fortune and privilege to have served my alma mater with a passion that still drives me from within every day. My profile as a non-traditionally aged first generation student from a working class family is not unlike those we strive to educate today. During my years as a student, the faculty and staff shaped my talents and ambition and helped me choose a path that maximized my strengths and enabled me to help others in a meaningful way,” Vice President McGurren said.
Her employment at Salem State has included the roles of director of college relations, acting vice president of institutional advancement, and special assistant to the president. In 2004, she was appointed vice president of institutional advancement and executive director of the SSU Foundation, Inc by President Emerita Dr. Nancy D. Harrington '60, '63G, '10H.
Leading institutional advancement for the past 14 years, McGurren has overseen several mini-campaigns, and many donor recognition ceremonies including: the Bertolon School of Business, the Harold E. and Marilyn J. Gassett Fitness and Recreation Center, James McKeown Plaza ‘77, Drinkwater Way, and most recently the Sophia Gordon Center for Creative and Performing Arts.
Over her tenure, McGurren has played a chief role in many university milestone celebrations including the inauguration of two presidents and the retirement of three presidents. In 2004, she co-chaired the year-long sesquicentennial – Salem State’s 150th Anniversary Celebration. Under McGurren’s leadership, the Salem State Fine Wines and Fabulous Finds Auction, now a long-running and successful annual fundraising event, has cumulatively raised over $700,000 for scholarships. Also during her tenure, alumni and donor communications, including the Salem Statement and Impact, were both conceptualized and consistently delivered.
In 1982, McGurren co-founded the Salem State Series. Over the past 36 years, she has worked tirelessly to provide community audiences with enjoyment, including the opportunity to hear presidents; press secretaries; prime ministers; activists; actors; legendary figures from the world of sports, politics and science; authors; columnists; and journalists. The Salem State Series stands as one of the premier continuously running college lecture series in the country, attracting thousands of patrons annually.
The university is making plans to celebrate her legacy in the spring of 2019.
Below are quotes from members of the Salem State community who have worked closely with Cynthia McGurren ’83 over the years
“Cynthia is a significant reason why I am connected to the university today and will remain connected long after she retires. She is a true friend and trusted advisor in the decisions we’ve made philanthropically, and she’ll be greatly missed,” said Henry Bertolon, co-chair of the 10,000 Reasons Campaign and major benefactor.
“It has been a pleasure to participate in the significant growth of the Foundation under Cynthia’s leadership. Not only have we seen the phenomenal execution of the vision of a comprehensive campaign, but, just as importantly, Cynthia has focused part of her tenure around building a quality institutional advancement team,” said Salem State Foundation Board of Directors President Gina Deschamps ‘92G.
"I get emotional thinking about Salem State without Cynthia here on a daily basis, then I look at what she has accomplished for the students and the university in her tenure, and I smile. I’m very happy for Cynthia and her next chapter. She has given so much of herself to Salem State. She helped transition Salem State from a college to a university. I am pleased to call Cynthia not only a classmate, we’re members of the class of 1983, but also a dear friend!” said Kim Gassett-Schiller ‘83 ‘18H, co-chair of the 10,000 Reasons Campaign and major benefactor.
“Not only Sophia and I but my associates at the Gordon Foundation would like to express our appreciation of Cynthia’s outstanding personality and ability to work with people to help achieve the goals of Salem State University. We will miss her warmth and compassion,” said Bernie Gordon ‘85H.
“The Salem State Series was unbelievably successful because of Cynthia’s desire to bring the very best people to Salem State. And by virtue of this, everyone on the North Shore was paying attention to then Salem State College,” said President Emerita Nancy D. Harrington '60, '63G, '10H.
"Cynthia McGurren combined the long-standing ‘heart’ of our fundraising with a strategic focus that enabled us to transform the value proposition we provided to secure major donors. She was the secret sauce of our 10,000 Reason Campaign and through her efforts, she moved her alma mater to a new level of excellence. I will be forever grateful for her contributions which will have a lasting impact on public higher education for many years to come," said President Emerita Patricia Maguire Meservey.