Jerry Pickman ’85
June 12, 2019—Jerry Pickman, Missouri Western State University’s vice president for university advancement and executive director of the Missouri Western State University Foundation, has accepted a position as vice president of philanthropy operations at Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph. His last day at Missouri Western will be July 11.
“I am deeply grateful for Jerry’s outstanding service to the University,” said Dr. Robert Vartabedian, Missouri Western’s president. “Private support for public education is more important than ever, and I certainly hate to see him leave Missouri Western, but I’m pleased that Jerry and his family will remain in the community and wish him the best in his new role.”
Pickman has been at Missouri Western since 2004, serving as director of development before assuming his current position in 2013.
“As an alum and now an employee for 15 years, I know first-hand the powerful positive impact Missouri Western has on the community,” Pickman said. “It truly is a special place, and while it’s hard to leave, I’m excited at the opportunity to work for another organization that does a tremendous amount of good in our region.”
Since he began his career at Missouri Western, Pickman has helped raise funds for many renovation and construction projects and guided the University’s Centennial Capital Campaign. Since 2015, the campaign has raised more than $30 million for endowments, facilities and programs.
Pickman graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Missouri Western in 1985 and earned an Executive MBA from Benedictine College in 2001. He received a Certificate in Fund Raising Management from the Fund Raising School at the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University in 2006 and is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE).
A national search for Pickman’s successor will begin immediately.
Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.