How to Face Fear and Inspire Courage
Article When managers display courage and perseverance, they inspire the same in their employees, says a leadership expert.

Embracing Change
CURRENTS Article This article discusses how changes in the way universities are organized in Finland led to the creation of University of Helsinki's first fundraising campaign, which, in turn, informed its university branding efforts. The university brought its brand to the city of Helsinki in several ways, including creative newspaper ads, public events, and a store in the city center that was inspired by Apple stores and designed to showcase its research in ways that would interest the public.

Tips for Executing Ideas
Article A leadership expert says that managers must quickly turn great ideas into reality before inspiration dissipates.

Moving Out
CURRENTS Article Several public college and university development shops in recent years have moved fundraising operations to new or existing institutionally related foundations. The benefits of such a move include better engagement of donors and alumni in development work, but transitioning the staff can be challenging.

Course Correction
CURRENTS Article In the view of many college presidents, the economic crisis of 2008 was a tipping point. In its aftermath, a "new normal" is redefining higher education realities and reshaping the traditional role of college and university presidencies. Higher education leaders say they are less focused on empire-building and more attuned to financial management, institutional marketing, improving the customer experience, and finding ways of helping financially strapped families pay for college.

Good Leaders are like Meteorologists
Article We rely on the expertise of meteorologists to tell us everything about the weather—from whether we’ll need an umbrella tomorrow to how much we can expect to perspire on the weekend. One management blogger says many employees look to their organizational leaders for similar foresight.

An Alumni Love Story
CURRENTS Article Antioch College closed in 2008 after years of mismanagement and acrimony. But since then, alumni have raised millions, and a new class of students will start this fall. What will the revived Antioch look like, and how will advancement's role at the college differ to keep history from repeating itself?

Outlook: Revolutionary Times
CURRENTS Article The American University in Cairo, by virtue of its leading role as an educational institution, has always been part of the political scene. In the new political era, through its students, alumni, faculty, and staff, its role is expected to grow.

From Pressure to Progress
CURRENTS Article In mid-2009, Cornell University, which was grappling with a $215 million budget deficit, hired a consulting group to advise the institution on cost-saving measures. The alumni affairs and development department led the way in the restructuring effort. A large portion of the resulting savings came from realigning procurement, IT assistance, human resources, marketing, and other services that can managed by a central office.

Project: Transformation
CURRENTS Article With an effort that touched every area of advancement, the Villanova School of Business succeeded in taking its program to a new level of academic and fundraising achievement.

By Any Other Name...
CURRENTS Article Changing the name of your institution takes research, strategic planning, and a solid communications plan. Follow the story of one college that successfully followed through on this undertaking.

Advance Work: A New Level of the Name Game
CURRENTS Article When Tri-State University in Indiana wanted to change its name, it honored the Trine family in doing so. The institution is now Trine University.

Hell Hath No Fury
CURRENTS Article This article chronicles one institution's decision to go coed, which has sparked much protest among alumnae. The article describes in detail what went wrong in communicating the decision to alumnae, the lengths to which alumnae have retaliated against the institution, and what leaders are doing to placate alumnae.

Closing Remarks: Purpose or Place?
CURRENTS Article Advancement professionals should reconsider how they position their institutions with a long-term view in mind. Instead of campus facilities, their focus should be on educational goals, the exchange of ideas, and the generation of new insights and other long-term missions and goals.

The Way We Were
CURRENTS Article Five case studies describe how advancement officers maintained alumni loyalty in the face of major institutional changes. Examples cover the Citadel’s admission of female cadets, Harvard School’s merger with Westlake School, Beaver College’s name change to Arcadia University, the transformation of church-owned St. Michael’s School to independent Wesley School, and Mount Vernon College’s adoption by George Washington University.