Bard named major gifts officer

Blake Bard has been named as a major gifts officer in the Pittsburg State University Office of University Development. Bard will work with the College of Business by identifying financial supporters and securing gifts for student scholarships, faculty support, and infrastructure development. University Development Director Scott Roberts said Bard was hired following a national search.

“We were searching for someone who possesses the characteristics of a successful development officer, such as the ability to establish a strong rapport with alumni and friends, the experience to convey the importance of supporting students, and the willingness to travel on behalf of the university and develop relationships with supporters across the country,” said Roberts. “We found that person in Blake, and I am very excited to have him on our team as we seek to expand support for academics at PSU.”

Bard comes to PSU after spending the past three years as a coordinator for the Upward Bound program at Crowder College in Neosho, Mo., where he helped prepare high school students to attend college. Bard has also worked for Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, Mo., as a sports information/marketing assistant, and for The Joplin Globe newspaper as a sports writer.

Bard graduated from MSSU with a bachelor’s degree in communication in 2002. He is a May 2008 candidate for a master’s degree in education from Missouri State University in Springfield, Mo.

A native of Webb City, Mo., Bard now lives in Pittsburg. He has a 2-1/2 year old son, Ayden.

---Pitt State---