Carlson named director of development for institutional advancement

Kurt Carlson has been named director of development for institutional advancement at Elon University. Carlson will supervise the Elon Annual Fund, corporate and foundation relations, information services, donor relations and prospect research.

“I am pleased to have the opportunity to join the outstanding staff in Institutional Advancement,” Carlson said. “I look forward to contributing to the fundraising success of this great university.”

Carlson comes to Elon after serving as director of development at the College of Arts and Sciences at Appalachian State University, Boone, N.C., since 2000. He secured more than $4 million in new scholarships, program endowments and capital support for the College of Arts and Sciences.

Carlson previously served as director of development at the College of Engineering at San Jose State (Calif.) University from 1999 to 2000. He established a corporate partners program to secure financial support for equipment and new laboratories from technology companies in the Silicon Valley.

From 1991 to 1998, Carlson served as director of corporate and foundation relations at Beloit College, Beloit, Wis. He also served as director of development operations during 1997-1998. Carlson was responsible for direct fundraising activities with corporations and foundations as well as grant writing. During his tenure, corporate and foundation support averaged $2 million annually.

Carlson earned a bachelor’s degree in international relations from Beloit in 1981.