The Board of Trustees of the Wayne State Foundation (WSF), which provides financial support for the mission of Wayne State College, has announced the resignation of CEO Kevin Armstrong, who is leaving for a new fundraising position in Omaha.
Armstrong has accepted the offer to serve as the new Philanthropy Gifts Director at Children’s Nebraska, formerly known as Children’s Hospital. His last day with the Wayne State Foundation is June 30.
Armstrong joined the WSF in 2005 as the Director of Planned Giving and has served as the Chief Executive Officer since 2015. During his tenure as CEO, the Foundation has increased its total assets from $23.7 million to $41 million with institutional support provided to Wayne State College totaling $38.4 million. Major accomplishments have also included very successful fundraising campaigns for the:
•Invest-Empower-Transform Campaign (Exceeded a $25M goal by raising $35.1M to support scholarships, capital projects, and general operations of the Foundation, 2019-2023).
•Peterson Fine and Performing Arts Center ($2.4M of $13M renovation/addition project, 2023).
•Benthack Hall instructional facility renovation ($1.1M of $9M project, 2022)
•Center for Applied Technology new instructional building ($2.45M of $15.2M project, 2019).
•Wayne State Career Scholars Cooperative Education Program (Secured grant funding for $2.6M in scholarship support and $300,000 in general operational support, 2024).
•Athletic and Recreation Complex (Developed and facilitated 2024 launch of current fundraising campaign with $4.4M of the $5.5M goal raised so far for this $30M project).
According to Brenda Carhart, President of the Wayne State Foundation Board of Trustees, “The Foundation has greatly appreciated Kevin Armstrong’s leadership and his collaborative team approach with the Foundation staff, Foundation Board of Trustees, College staff, and generous alumni and friends to accomplish so many significant achievements. The past nine years have been an exciting time of growth and innovation for the Foundation, and we look forward to building upon the successful work of Kevin and the Foundation staff. We wish Kevin all the best in his new role and sincerely thank him for more than 19 years of dedicated service to the Wayne State Foundation.”
Additional details will be announced soon about a campus and community farewell reception in late June to recognize and express appreciation to Armstrong.
The Executive Committee of the Board is working on plans to name an interim CEO for the Foundation.
