Wood appointed VP/development

Elizabeth Boluch Wood has been named the University’s new vice president for development. She succeeds Brian McDonald ’83, who stepped down March 1 after what he termed eight “intense” years in the position.

After serving on the development staffs of Harvard and Brown, Wood worked in Princeton’s development office from 1995 to 2001, when she became the chief development officer for the Cancer Institute of New Jersey. She returned to Princeton in 2005 and three years later was named assistant vice president for capital giving.  

The change in leadership came as the University’s five-year, $1.75 billion Aspire campaign reached a milestone: In February it surpassed the $1.143 ­billion raised during the 1995–2000 Anniversary Campaign, making it the most successful campaign in Princeton history.  

Midway through the campaign, Wood said, the University is “in excellent shape and on track for a successful finish.” Compared to last year, potential donors are “feeling more confident about making pledges and committing to campaign gifts,” she said.

During McDonald’s tenure, Princeton raised almost $1.7 billion. The development office has 163 full-time staff positions and works with 2,750 volunteers; the University’s fundraising cost of about 8 cents per dollar raised is among the lowest of Princeton’s peers, McDonald said.