About the Honoree

Michael Eicher has had a transformative career spanning public and private universities, leading some of the largest and most successful fundraising campaigns in higher education. At The Ohio State University, he oversaw the But for Ohio State Campaign, which raised $3 billion, and launched the Time and Change Campaign, a $5.4 billion effort that aims to engage one million supporters—a historic milestone in higher education.

Previously, he led the Campaign UCLA at the University of California, Los Angeles, which raised $3.05 billion, and the Johns Hopkins: Knowledge for the World Campaign, which secured $3.7 billion. His strategic leadership, mentorship, and deep commitment to professional development has shaped and inspired a generation of advancement professionals, many of whom have gone on to lead major campaigns themselves.

“Michael Eicher’s legacy to our profession will be deep and enduring. In addition to his many career accomplishments, he has derived joy in cultivating leaders with character, integrity, and courage,” said Peter Hayashida, Board Chair at Marts & Lundy. “Michael has created successful organizations by making others feel empowered, confident, respected, and valued. He continues to be a peerless coach, teacher, role model, and mentor.”
 

About the Award 

The E. Burr Gibson Lifetime Achievement Award honors individuals who have made a significant and lasting impact on the field of institutional advancement through their professional accomplishments. The award is named in honor of E. Burr Gibson, longtime chairman and CEO of the consulting firm Marts & Lundy, which has supported the award with a generous contribution. Gibson, who received the CASE Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008, died in 2010.