Gary E. Rounding, a former Detroiter, Wayne State alumnus and former vice president for advancement at the University of Alabama (UA), has been named senior vice president for development and alumni affairs, President Irvin D. Reid has announced.

"In this capacity," Reid said, "Mr. Rounding will lead our alumni, development and foundation effort. Upon formal approval of the Board of Governors, he will become president of the newly-created Wayne State University Foundation."

The appointment is effective today, July 1.

President Reid added, "With Gary Rounding's arrival at Wayne State and the creation of a Wayne State University Foundation, this university will be placing far greater emphasis on volunteerism, alumni involvement in the university's activities and an increase in philanthropic activities."

Rounding has 30 years of experience in public and private philanthropy, marketing and communications. Most recently he was in charge of all fund-raising programs, alumni affairs, governmental relations and university relations for UA.

The University of Alabama recently completed two record years of fund-raising success and won numerous national awards for communications and publications.

He joined UA in 1997 following four years at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston, where he served as vice president for university relations. UTMB was number one in the nation in foundation contributions to a medical entity and among the top 10 academic medical centers in giving.

Rounding led a UTMB university relations team to record giving levels for four consecutive years and to record alumni membership.

Rounding went to UTMB from a position as president of a national consulting firm in Chicago, American City Bureau, which provides assistance to non-profit organizations. He was earlier president of another consulting firm, Peterson, Rounding and Shouman of Detroit.

He also served as assistant to the president and director of the president's cabinet at the University of Detroit and executive director of a branch of the Metropolitan Detroit YMCA.

He earned a bachelor of science in education from the University of Detroit in 1969 and a master of arts from Wayne State University in 1974.

Donald Ritzenhein, who has been interim vice president for development and alumni affairs, returns to his former WSU position, director of annual giving and development services.