Fall 1997

An advocate for higher education

New vice president for development and external affairs brings two decades of experience to Rose-Hulman

It only takes a few minutes talking with Darrell Loyless to learn why he’s such a successful advocate for private higher education.

His ability to convince others about the importance of private higher education comes from more than 20 years of experience and success in the institutional advancement field.

His career successes have earned Loyless recognition from his colleagues as one of the nation’s top fund-raising professionals.

Rose-Hulman’s new vice president for development and external affairs has already set a hectic pace in an effort to meet alumni, and seek support for the Institute. His schedule for a few days in early August included dinner with East Coast alumni, meetings with national foundation officials in New York City, sessions with faculty and staff, and visits with alumni in the Wabash Valley.

It was the Institute’s reputation, its people and their dedication to the college that convinced Loyless to join the Rose-Hulman administration. For the past ten years, he served as vice president for institutional advancement at Lyon College in Batesville, Arkansas. He was responsible for development, public relations, alumni relations, admissions and financial aid programs.

"I believe Rose-Hulman provides the finest education offered to young people today," said Loyless, who was named the National Society of Fund-Raising Executives’ Fund Raiser-of-the-Year three years ago.

"This educational community is dedicated to being the very best. I’m excited about being part of an outstanding institutional advancement team whose goal is to generate the support needed to serve Rose-Hulman’s academic mission," he stated.

Loyless praised alumni for their role in Rose-Hulman’s successes.

"The tremendous commitment alumni have made to this institution is a key factor in Rose-Hulman’s increasing reputation as one of the nation’s best colleges," he stated.

"Alumni enthusiasm and loyalty are contagious. Alumni play an important advocacy role by encouraging others to become supporters of Rose-Hulman," he added.

Loyless brings to his new duties a thorough understanding of education that is enhanced by his experience as a teacher. As a former professor, he’s keenly aware of the support needed to help dedicated, creative faculty.

Loyless was associate professor and chairman of the Department of History and Government at Centenary College in Shreveport, La. He later became vice president at Centenary.

"My classroom experience and involvement in curriculum development gives me an appreciation for the funding faculty need to implement new ideas. That experience has helped me communicate the case for support to private education."

Loyless earned his Ph.D. in government from American Unviersity, Washington, D.C., the M.S. degree in government from Texas A&M University, and the B.S. in government and history from the University of Texas at Austin.

As Loyless looks ahead, immediate goals include meeting current fiscal year funding needs and completion of the first phase of the Vision to be the Best campaign.

"The campaign has had wonderful success. However, there are specific campaign goals where support is still needed."

"Our successes create new challenges and goals," Loyless noted. "We must take time to celebrate our successes, but we must also begin the process to decide our future needs and goals."

His goals include continuing the successes achieved during three decades of leadership by his predecessor, Ron Reeves.

"I will do my very best to build upon the achievements that Ron and his staff have accomplished," Loyless stressed.

"Their successes are a testament to the incredible dedication and leadership that Ron gave to his alma mater."

He also cited the important role that effective public relations plays to inform and involve constituents to build increased support for Rose-Hulman.

Effective communications, excellent programs and services for alumni, and outstanding community relations are vital to enhancing the Institution’s image, he believes.

"Rose-Hulman enjoys a growing national reputation. Our goal will be to continue to broaden the public’s awareness of the quality of the Institute’s people and programs," Loyless said.

Loyless isn’t the only member of his family whose career has been dedicated to education. His wife, Carol, has been a secondary school history teacher for more than 14 years.

They have two children, David and Elizabeth.

David has followed in his father’s professional footsteps in his job as assistant director of annual giving at Austin College in Sherman, Texas.

Elizabeth will be a junior this fall at the University of Texas at Austin. She is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in psychology and child development.

Loyless says seeking support for Rose-Hulman is giving people the chance to invest in something very special.

"You’re investing in the future of the next generation of leaders. That’s a tremendous opportunity to have a signficant impact on an institution, its people and our nation’s future, he said."

by David Piker