Effective October 27th, Gordon Thomas, who has served as Major Gifts Officer at the College of Pharmacy for more than five years, was promoted to Senior Director of Development, announced Dean Kelly Smith.
“Gordon’s promotion to a leadership role is well deserved,” said Dean Smith. “Since joining our College, he has greatly exceeded our expectations. He is a natural at engaging with our alumni; many of these relationships have been lucrative for our college and beneficial for our students. As he moves into this new leadership role, I am confident he will continue his success trajectory.”
A native of Macon, GA, Thomas received a Bachelor of Arts in History from Georgia College and State University. Before joining UGA Pharmacy in 2020, he was a major gifts officer at the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine. Throughout his UGA tenure, he has consistently exceeded fundraising goals. Most recently, he secured the largest gift to date for the College of Pharmacy—a $4 million donation, which established the College’s first ever full tuition-plus scholarships.
In his new leadership position, Thomas will serve as the liaison between the College of Pharmacy and the UGA Office of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR). In addition, he will be responsible for securing major and principal gifts as well as providing strategy, leadership, direction, coordination, and management of all levels of giving. In addition, he will work with Dean Smith to develop fundraising priorities, create and implement an annual development plan, and supervise the DAR staff, who include Liz Newlin, College Engagement Coordinator; Roslyn Raley, Development Associate, and Ryan Phillips, Development Coordinator.
“Since 2020, pharmacy alumni have welcomed me with genuine warmth, and that sense of community inspires me every day,” said Thomas. “I’ve seen how a single scholarship can change the course of a student’s life, and that’s why I love what I do—partnering with alumni and friends to create opportunities that shape both the future of our students and the future of pharmacy.”
Thomas can be reached at [email protected] or 706-542-5103.
