DATE: December 20, 2011

MEDIA CONTACT: Stephanie Balzer, 520-621-5581

TUCSON, ARIZ.– When University of Arizona faculty members demonstrate extraordinary leadership in development it benefits everyone, but each year only one faculty fundraiser is recognized with the Eugene G. Sander Endowed Faculty Fundraising Award.

The University of Arizona Foundation Board of Trustees has selected Dr. Robert F. Lusch, the James and Pamela Muzzy Chair in Entrepreneurship and head of the marketing department for the Eller College of Management, as its 2011 award recipient.

Dr. Lusch's contributions as a conduit between the college and potential donors have been profound since arriving at the UA in 2004. He has overseen many important gifts to Eller.

"Dr. Lusch serves as one of our most productive scholars, and exemplifies the standard for external relations and development work," said Eller College Dean Len Jessup. "If there was a 'fundraiser-in-chief' designation outside of our development team, he would be a prime candidate."

Added University of Arizona Foundation President and CEO James H. Moore, Jr.: "Dr. Lusch is devoted to this university and the level of quality we aspire to every day. Donors recognize these convictions, and are inspired to contribute as well."

As a two-time graduate of the UA, with both a bachelor's and master's degree in business administration from the University, Dr. Lusch said he is honored to be this year's award recipient, adding he "feels a personal obligation to build relationships with prospective donors."

The Sander Endowed Faculty Fundraising Award was established by the UA Foundation Board of Trustees in 2008 to honor UA faculty who set examples among their peers for upholding high standards of performance in fundraising and development efforts. The award is named for UA President Eugene G. Sander, who has been an advocate and leader of faculty involvement in the fundraising process for more than two decades.

In 2009, the award was acknowledged by The Chronicle of Higher Education as a paradigm for encouraging faculty involvement in fundraising. Previous honorees include Sarver Heart Center Director Gordon A. Ewy, MD, in 2010; Regent's Professor of Anthropology John W. Olsen, PhD, in 2009; and Director of the John and Doris Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences Soyeon Shim, PhD, in 2008.

The University of Arizona Foundation is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to advancing the University of Arizona. Managing an existing asset base of more than $600 million, the UA Foundation has helped generate more than $2 billion in private funding to support the University. Learn more about the Foundation at uafoundation.org.