University of North Carolina Athletics
Carolina Names Education Foundation Director
February 8, 2001 | General
Feb. 8, 2001
CHAPEL HILL - John Montgomery, currently Associate Athletic Director for Development and External Affairs at Southern Methodist University, has been hired by the University of North Carolina to serve as president of the Educational Foundation, Inc.
The Educational Foundation is a non-profit organization that primarily raises scholarship money for UNC student-athletes and provides funding for capital projects. Montgomery replaces Moyer Smith, who led the organization since December 1986.
"John brings a wealth of fundraising experience to this position," says Director of Athletics Dick Baddour. "He did an outstanding job raising more than $57 million for SMU"s football and all-sport facilities. I cannot say enough about the level of recommendations we received on his behalf. Many of us on the selection committee commented that he had as enthusiastic a set of references as any candidate we have ever interviewed for any position."
Montgomery has been responsible for major gifts and annual fundraising for SMU athletics since June 1996. He directed the capital campaign that resulted in $57 million of gifts and pledges for the construction of the Gerald J. Ford Stadium and the Paul B. Loyd Jr. All-Sports Center.
Since 1995-96, giving to annual programs at SMU has increased from $1.3 to $2.3 million, and giving to capital projects and endowments has grown from $294,000 to $6.1 million.
"I am extremely excited to have the opportunity to lead an organization of this stature," says Montgomery. "The Educational Foundation has provided vital support for all programs for many years and is positioned to build on these accomplishments during the Carolina First Campaign."
The 1981 Radford University graduate previously was Associate Athletic Director for Public Affairs at UNC Greensboro (1990-96) and Director of the Athletic Association at his alma mater (1984-90).
Montgomery will begin his duties on March 5, 2001.
"John Montgomery has the experience, enthusiasm and vision to successfully lead the Educational Foundation through the upcoming capital campaign and clearly distinguish it as the best university foundation in the nation," says Thomas N. Chewning, chairman of the Educational Foundation"s executive committee. "The search committee interviewed a number of quality candidates and John was at the top of everyone"s lists. We feel fortunate to have attracted him to Chapel Hill."
