September 8, 2015

University of Alabama President Stuart R. Bell has named Robert D. Pierce II as vice president for advancement.

Pierce, who has served as vice president for advancement at the University of Southern Mississippi since 2010, will join UA Sept. 21.

“Bob Pierce is an experienced leader in university advancement who will bring an outstanding record in fundraising as well as energy and enthusiasm to The University of Alabama,” Bell said. “We are looking forward to having him join our team.”

As vice president for advancement at USM, Pierce served as the chief fundraising officer for the university and was responsible for oversight of the Southern Miss Alumni Association and the University of Southern Mississippi Foundation and development office staffs. He also served as executive director of the USM Foundation from 2010-2013.

Pierce joined the USM advancement team in 1998 as executive director of the alumni association and held that position until he was named vice president. He had served previously at USM as assistant director of development for athletic fundraising from 1994-1995.

Pierce earned his master’s degree in advertising and public relations at UA in 2003. He was recognized as the 2003 Outstanding Graduate Student in Advertising and Public Relations.

“I am thrilled to be returning to The University of Alabama to join President Bell’s team and lead the development efforts for the Capstone. There is tremendous fundraising potential at UA, and I am confident that a focused, driven president like Dr. Bell and the strong leadership group he has in place will continue the upward trajectory set in motion by the Witt and Bonner administrations,” Pierce said.

“I look forward to getting to Tuscaloosa as soon as possible so that we can formulate and execute a sound, long-term fundraising plan for the benefit of the University as well as its faculty, staff and students,” Pierce said.

In addition to his positions at USM, Pierce has served previously in various positions including manager of operations for Sigma Chi International Fraternity Headquarters and as director of marketing services for Promotion Dynamics International.

Pierce earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration at USM in 1991. He also completed the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy’s course in the principles and techniques of fundraising at The Fund Raising School in Indianapolis in 2012. He was selected as a member of Mississippi Business Journal’s statewide “Top 40 Under 40” class for 2008.

Pierce replaces Calvin Brown, UA’s executive director of alumni affairs, who has served as interim vice president for advancement since October 2014.