MEDIA CONTACT: Linda Holtz
561-297-0159, lholtz@fau.edu
BOCA RATON, FL (July 17, 2006) – Florida Atlantic University recently named Jeffrey T. Spoeri, J.D., director of development for the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. Serving as a staff member of University Advancement and the College of Science, Spoeri will be responsible for all fund-raising activities within the College. His nearly 10 years in the field of higher education philanthropy, in addition to his training and experience as an attorney and educator, made Spoeri an ideal choice for this leadership role.
“Returning to South Florida after more than 20 years is a pleasure, but being part of the FAU family makes it that much more enjoyable,” said Spoeri, an alumnus of Plantation High School in Broward County. “I am excited about working with Dean Gary Perry and the faculty and staff of the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, as well as with my colleagues in University Advancement. I am eager to play my part in helping to achieve the goals of both the College and the University.”
Most recently, Spoeri served as executive director of the Brevard Community College Foundation in Cocoa, Fl. As chief advancement officer, he planned, implemented and evaluated fundraising strategies for the college. A member of the President’s Cabinet, Spoeri worked closely with the college’s Board of Trustees and the Foundation Board of Governors. In a period of less than 18 months, he secured gifts that provided eight new scholarships within the college. Spoeri chaired the College Advancement Council, supervised the Resource Development office and provided direction for grant procurement and management.
From 2001 to 2004, Spoeri was director of development for Michigan State University’s College of Education, where he was part of a fundraising effort that garnered gifts totaling more than $21 million. He devised and implemented a strategy for the College of Education’s $26 million portion of a $1.2 billion comprehensive university capital campaign. In this position, Spoeri managed a portfolio of more than 100 major and planned gift prospects.
For four years, Spoeri was affiliated with Stetson University. He served as the school’s associate director of development for the School of Business Administration on the DeLand, Fl. campus from 1999 to 2001. In this role, Spoeri directed the $3.5 million first stage of the school’s endowment campaign. In addition, he played an active role in closing Stetson’s $200 million campaign. From 1997 to 1999, he served as interim executive director of College Relations/Director of Alumni Relations for Stetson’s College of Law in St. Petersburg, Fl.
Prior to entering the field of development, Spoeri was a practicing attorney. A member of both the Missouri and Illinois Bars, Spoeri was an associate with the Clayton, Mo. firm of Brinker, Doyen & Kovacs, where he specialized in insurance defense and medical malpractice defense.
In addition to earning a law degree from Washington University in St. Louis, Spoeri holds an undergraduate degree from the College of William and Mary and a master’s degree in education from Vanderbilt University.
Spoeri is a member of the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and has volunteered extensively in the community. He was also a member of an 85-voice men’s barbershop chorus that at the time was ranked in the top 10 internationally.
“I am eager to see Jeffrey Spoeri take FAU’s College of Science to an exciting new level. FAU is indeed fortunate to have him join our University Advancement team,” said Dr. Lawrence Davenport, executive vice president of University Advancement and executive director of the FAU Foundation. “With his multifaceted background, Jeffrey will, I am sure, find great success as a fundraiser for one of FAU’s fastest growing colleges.”
-FAU-
Florida Atlantic University opened its doors in 1964 as the fifth public university in Florida. Today, the university serves 26,000 undergraduate and graduate students on seven campuses strategically located along 150 miles of Florida's southeastern coastline. Building on its rich tradition as a teaching university, with a world-class faculty, FAU hosts eight colleges - the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts & Letters, the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, and the Colleges of Business, Education, Engineering & Computer Science, and Architecture, Urban & Public Affairs.
