Robert (Rob) Parker has been named vice president for Advancement at Emory & Henry College. Parker brings more than 20 years of successful experience in higher education fundraising for the liberal arts and sciences, including 14 years in executive leadership roles at both private and public institutions.
“Emory & Henry has great momentum across every dimension,” said Parker. “I am excited to work with President Wells, the Board of Trustees, my colleagues at the College, and Emory and Henry alumni and friends to complete the Collective Connections campaign and secure the philanthropic resources that will sustain and increase this momentum.”
Parker has served as vice president for College Relations at Union College, Schenectady, N.Y., where he and his team had one of the two best fundraising years in that school’s history. Under Parker’s leadership as senior associate dean for development at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s College of Arts and Sciences, he and his team raised $523 million. At Agnes Scott College, Parker planned the largest campaign in that school’s history and led his team in raising $85 million.
Parker earned a Doctor of Philosophy and Theology as well as a Master of Arts in Divinity from the University of Chicago, and a Bachelor of Arts in History from Baylor University in Waco, Texas.
In late spring, the Student Government Association announced plans for a new student space on campus, “The E&H Chestnut Commons.” The new space will be located between Elm and Hickory halls and feature a large firepit with lawn chairs, a permanent large outdoor games area, a hammock village, concrete walkways with custom E&H-inspired bricks, two large “spirit” boulders and a native plant garden.
Emory & Henry College has been awarded a prestigious distinction for its commitment to affordability compared to other institutions. The recognition comes from Colleges of Distinction, a resource that selects schools based on the quality and diversity of hands-on experiences rather than relying on traditional rankings. In an era dominated by discussions about college tuition and student debt, the Affordable Colleges of Distinction award aims to assist cost-conscious students and parents in navigating the complex landscape of college financing. Emory & Henry shines as a beacon of affordability among the distinguished group of Colleges of Distinction, showcasing its notable financial costs and positive outcomes. In addition to net price, Colleges of Distinction considered median debt and mean earnings data of graduates, factoring in location, size, public/private affiliation status, and the percentage of Pell Grant recipients. These criteria collectively positioned Emory & Henry among the most affordable institutions.