KU Endowment selects next president

LAWRENCE — Dan Martin is the next president of KU Endowment. KU Endowment Board of Trustees Chair Dave Dillon introduced Martin at a meeting with staff earlier today, July 12. Martin currently serves as the chief philanthropy officer at the Texas division of St. Luke’s Health and has extensive experience in higher education leadership and fundraising. Martin will assume the role of president on Aug. 15.  

Martin will succeed current president Dale Seuferling, who announced his retirement in January. Seuferling will continue his service until Aug. 15, at which time he will remain with KU Endowment through Aug. 31 to aid in the transition.  

“Our national search produced several talented candidates, all of whom brought different perspectives to how they would approach the role,” Dillon said. “Dan distinguished himself with his proven track record of fundraising, along with his experience as a leader in higher education, having served many years as a university president, among other key roles.”  

Martin is a fourth-generation Kansan from Overland Park, with three degrees from KU (MBA; J.D; and Ed.D, Higher Education Policy and Leadership) and one from the University of Pennsylvania (Ed.D., Higher Education Management). He has spent almost three decades working in higher education.  

“I’m honored and humbled to have been selected to lead KU Endowment into the future,” Martin said. “I believe my time as a fundraiser in multiple organizations, including a health system, and serving as a university president provided me with the right skills and a fresh perspective on philanthropy.”  

KU Endowment Board of Trustees Vice Chair Lydia Beebe, who chaired the search committee, echoed this sentiment.  

“As we consider how best to accomplish KU Endowment’s ongoing mission of providing perpetual support to the University of Kansas, having a fresh set of eyes on how we do things will become increasingly important in light of how philanthropy is changing,” Beebe said. “The good news is that we’re already a very strong organization, with much to be proud of. Dan’s experience, combined with the expertise and knowledge of our current senior leadership team, will be a powerful driver of our ongoing and future success.”  

Chancellor Douglas A. Girod expressed his appreciation for the search committee and their work.  

“As a member of the search committee, I know how much time and thoughtfulness went into this selection,” Girod said. “We took our role seriously, knowing our decision would have great implications for not only KU Endowment, but for the entire university community. I’m excited to work with Dan and look forward to what we’ll be able to accomplish as we build on Dale Seuferling’s amazing legacy.”  

The search and selection of Martin comes after a months-long process that included candidates from across the higher education and fundraising landscapes. In speaking about the final selection, Dillon said the choice was not an easy one. 

“The reality is that any one of our finalists would have done a stellar job,” Dillon said. “At the end of the day, we felt Dan was the right choice because he is equally at home in the leadership, administrative and fundraising aspects of a university. Having been a university president, he has first-hand knowledge of the importance of philanthropic support to a university’s overall mission and its ability to operate. We know he’ll work hard to make sure KU Endowment continues to partner with donors, staff and the university community to ensure KU remains a world-class university for years to come.”    

KU Endowment is the independent, nonprofit organization serving as the official fundraising and fund-management organization for KU. Founded in 1891, KU Endowment was the first foundation of its kind at a U.S. public university.