Capital drive head to leave

Capital Campaign Director Brodie Remington will leave the University at the end of next month to assume a vice presidency at the University of Oregon. Remington, a 16-year veteran in the Development Office, said yesterday that he accepted the position as vice president for public affairs and development in August, adding that the offer presents him with new professional and personal challenges. Remington, who has served as the University's $1 billion campaign director for the past three years, leaves the fund drive in strong standing. Officials recently announced that the five-year campaign, kicked off last October, surpassed its midpoint about three months ahead of schedule. Vice President for Development Rick Nahm said yesterday that he has not yet decided whether to name a new campaign director, but added that he will reorganize and readjust staff. Nahm said he expects the campaign to continue without interruption because many people are involved in the effort. But he said Remington was "a key player" in the success of the fund drive's first phase, and that the future success of the campaign will not be effortless. "The three negative factors of the economy, Brodie's leaving and the natural slowing up of the [capital campaign's] second phase are all converging this year," Nahm said. Nahm added that although he regrets Remington's leaving the University, he understands that the University of Oregon offer may be too good to pass up. Remington said he believes the campaign will encounter very little difficulty when he leaves. "I'm sure the transition is gong to be very smooth," Remington said. "There are lots of very strong people in the Development office. Penn wouldn't be raising the money it is without its strong Board of Trustees, strong administration, dynamic vice president for development and terrific development staff." "I do hope that I'm missed as a person," he added. "But in terms of my responsibilities, those will be absorbed very quickly." As director of the capital campaign, Remington has been responsible for advising and assisting Nahm on policies and strategies and managing various fundraising programs and special campaign events for the drive.

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