ROBERT A. GERVASI 1810 Chestnut Street Quincy, IL 62301 (317) 363-9933 ragervasi@gmail.com Education Certificate in Fundraising Management PhD in Classics MBA in Marketing Research Fellow in Classics Hill Scholar in Archaeol- The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania Corpus Christi College, University of Cambridge American School of Classical Studies, Athens, Greece ogy Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio Universita del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy MA in Classics Honors AB in Classics (summa cum laude) Summer Course in Italian Language and Culture Executive Experience Quincy University, Quincy, Illinois Since 2008 Serve as first lay president of 156-year-old Catholic Franciscan liberal arts university committed to the search for truth, respect for persons, and social justice. Developed senior leadership team, strengthened relationships between faculty and administration, focused on academic excellence and experiential learning. Upgraded enrollment management, yielding the largest incoming class in 28 years and increase in student retention. Expanded fundraising initiatives and trained staff and board in capital campaign planning. Strengthened university relationships with alumni and community leaders. Cultivated and secured university s first-ever seven-figure gifts for music and science. s Club donors increased by 50%. Faculty and staff participation in annual fund increased from 35% to 96%. Total yearly giving increased by 75%. Supervised feasibility planning, silent phase, and public launch of university s first comprehensive capital campaign. Hosted evaluation team from Higher Learning Commission of North Central Association for successful 10-year reaccreditation and approval of online learning. Initiated and completed strategic planning process and campus master plan, with broad participation by all constituents. New construction or renovations include: Connie Niemann Center for Music; new science labs, lobby amenities and landscaping of Center for Science; classroom and technology investments; new courtroom and pre-law suite; library upgrades and new Student Success Center; first new residence hall in 40 years, with comprehensive housing upgrades; new student cafeteria; renovated soccer and baseball fields and football stadium; and landscape improvements. Initiated academic program collaborations with St. Louis and Yale universities. Member of Council of s, Great Lakes Valley Conference, NCAA Division II. Serve on board of Great River Economic Development Foundation, working with Quincy business and community leaders.
Gervasi 2 Serve on Board of Directors and Executive Committee of Council of Independent Colleges, with focus on CIC s The Power of Liberal Arts campaign. Serve as peer reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission. Institute for Study Abroad, an independent partner of Butler University, Indianapolis, IN 2005-2007 and Chief Executive Officer Responsible for a staff of 160 in twelve countries, serving 3100 U.S. students annually at eighty universities worldwide. Reported to Board of Directors. Developed strategic marketing plan; improved fiscal planning and controls, increasing surplus by 25%. Strengthened institutional relationships in the U.S. and abroad. Implemented new academic programming and marketing initiatives; expanded scholarship program. McKendree University, Louisville, Kentucky (main campus in Lebanon, Illinois) 1996-2005 Dean of External Programs 2003-2005 Dean of Kentucky Campuses 1996-2005 Served as chief executive officer of Methodist-affiliated liberal arts college in Kentucky, with overall responsibility for Louisville and Radcliff (Fort Knox) campuses offering accelerated learning for working adults. Supervised faculty and staff hiring and development; student affairs; curriculum planning; budgets and administration; marketing and recruitment; information technology; community, military and alumni relations. Assessed curricular needs and worked with faculty to develop new undergraduate courses. Developed plans and secured Higher Learning Commission approval for new MBA program. Drafted case statement and solicited gifts in fund raising for new technology center. Supervised program at Scott Air Force Base, IL. Developed strategic and operational plan to launch three new sites in southern Illinois. Created plan to improve student recruitment and retention. Developed and launched McKendree s first major advertising campaign. Increased Kentucky enrollment by 35%. Chatfield College, St. Martin, Ohio 1993-1996 Dean of Academic and Student Affairs Responsible for faculty hiring and development, academic budgeting, and ongoing improvement of instructional programs and academic support services for liberal arts institution serving primarily first-generation students. Restructured staff support to focus on student recruitment, admissions and academic advising; increased enrollment by 16%. Launched comprehensive curriculum review, with participation by faculty, alumni, outside professionals, and other colleges. Greater Cincinnati Consortium of Colleges and Universities 1991-1993 Executive Director Reported to Board of s of thirteen institutions in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Worked with Board and chief officers in academic affairs, student affairs, and development to organize and promote collaborative projects, e.g. cross-registration of students, faculty development workshops, and planned-giving seminars. Formed project team that successfully pursued the consortium's first national (FIPSE) grant. Successful service led to dean s position at consortium member Chatfield College.
Gervasi 3 Epworth House, Cincinnati, Ohio 1987-1993 Started independent firm offering strategic marketing and communication services. Selected clients included: Jewish Hospital of Cincinnati; Niehaus Financial Services; Northlich Advertising; and McNicholas High School. Advised Board of Trustees of Cincinnati Technical College on CTC s conversion to Cincinnati State Technical and Community College. F & W Publications, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio 1986-1987 Publisher, Writer's Digest Magazine Directed marketing, advertising sales ($4 million), and editorial for leading national writers magazine (225,000 circulation). Increased profit 13% in 1986 and another 17% in 1987. Northlich Advertising & Public Relations, Cincinnati, Ohio 1984-1986 Account Supervisor, Procter & Gamble and New Business Supervised Procter & Gamble advertising and public relations, and solicited new accounts. Counseled clients in marketing planning and communications strategies. Developed market research and sales presentations for national trade shows. The Kenner Company and the Drackett Company of Bristol-Myers, Cincinnati, Ohio 1978-1983 Product Manager, Consumer Products Directed national consumer-products businesses, with general management responsibility for long- and short-range marketing plans, budgets, sales, product development and profitability. Major client at Kenner was Lucasfilm Ltd. for development of Star Wars toys. Teaching Experience Quincy University, Quincy, Illinois Since 2008 Teach occasional guest classes and present public lectures in business, leadership, and classics. Taught online MBA course entitled Issues in Business, Government, and Society (2013) University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 2002-2005 Adjunct Professor of Humanities Taught undergraduate and graduate courses in Greek and Roman civilization. McKendree University, Louisville, Kentucky 1996-2005 Dean of Kentucky Campuses Taught courses in: Ancient Civilizations; World Religions; Introduction to Philosophy; Ethics; Business and Professional Presentations; Small Business Management; and Principles of Marketing. Chatfield College, St. Martin, Ohio 1993-1996 Dean of Academic & Student Affairs
Gervasi 4 Taught courses in: Origins of Democracy; Contemporary Moral Issues; and English Composition. University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe 1995 Fulbright Senior Scholar and Visiting Associate Professor of Classics Taught Greek Civilization; Roman Civilization; and Ancient Philosophy. Miami University, Oxford, Ohio 1989-1991 Visiting Assistant Professor in Classics Taught courses in: Ancient Epic; Classical Mythology; Introduction to Latin Literature; Introduction to Greek Literature; and Greek and Roman Religion. ADDITIONAL TEACHING EXPERIENCE PRIOR TO 1990: Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio. Lecturer: Principles of Marketing (MBA program); Elementary Latin; Thucydides' History; Plato's Republic; and guest lectures in theology, economics and international affairs. Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Teaching Fellow: Graduate seminars in Effective Business Writing. University Teaching Fellow: Intermediate Latin; Elementary Greek; Advanced Greek; Intensive Greek; Greek Civilization; Classical Mythology; and Greek Political Theory. Selected Public Presentations Homer s Iliad, Then and Now, Quincy University, 2015 The Constitution and the Classics, Quincy University, 2014 Values, Virtues and Vigorous Religion, Quincy Unitarian Church, 2012 Peace Through Service, Rotary District Conference, Quincy, IL, 2012 Hospitality Pure and Simple, Quincy Unitarian Church, 2011 St. Francis Preaching to the Birds: Different Versions, Different Visions, Quincy University, 2010 Ancient Greek Epics and Modern Culture Wars, Quincy University, 2009 Reason and Reverence, Quincy Unitarian Church, 2009 Education in the 21 st Century, Faculty Convocation, John Wood Community College, 2009 Leadership Lessons from Ancient Rome, Quincy University, 2008 Global Security and Study Abroad, Rotary Club of Louisville, 2005. Honor in the Greek Experience, Robert J. Murray Lecture, Xavier University, 2000. "Ancient Greek Religion in a Modern African Context," Classical Association of Central and Southern Africa, University of Zimbabwe, 1995. "For Love or Money: Managing the Tension between Liberal Learning and Career Education," 1993 Regional Conference of Academic Affairs Administrators, Indianapolis. "Solon's Reforms and the Limits of Capital," Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, 1991. "Vegetarianism in Plato's Republic," Ohio Classical Conference, 1990. Selected Publications and Theses Op-ed on liberal arts education, Springfield State Journal-Register, April, 2015.
Gervasi 5 St. Bonaventure s Account of St. Francis Preaching to the Birds, AFCU Journal: Franciscan Perspectives in Higher Education, January, 2011. Stirring Up Study Abroad, Indianapolis Business Journal, January, 2006. "Three Essays on Greek Religion," Epistula Zimbabweana, University of Zimbabwe, 1996. Toward a New Economic Ideology, Southern Africa Political and Economic Monthly, June, 1995. Theses: The Concept of Hope in Thucydides," Ph.D. Dissertation, The Ohio State University Written Communication Skills: Perception and Reality, M.B.A. Thesis, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania "Healing As a Dramatic Motif in the Iliad," M.A. Thesis, The Ohio State University Selected Professional and Community Engagement Council of Independent Colleges, active since 2008. Board member since 2014. Member, Executive Committee and Chair of Public Information Committee since 2015. Peer Reviewer, Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, since 2011. Board Member, Great River Economic Development Foundation, since 2014. Associated Colleges of Illinois, since 2008. 2013-15. Federation of Independent Illinois Colleges & Universities, member Executive Committee 2009-11. FEMA-Certified in Multi-Hazard Emergency Planning for Higher Education, 2013. Commission on Lifelong Learning, American Council on Education, 2009-11 Rotary Club of Quincy, since 2008. NAFSA and Forum on Education Abroad, 2005-2007. Kentucky Opera, Board of Trustees (executive committee), 2003-2004. Languages and Interests: Read or speak Spanish, Italian, Greek (ancient and modern), Latin, French, and German. Enjoy theater, cinema, music, travel and running. Completed fourteen marathons, including the 2015 Madison Marathon. Performed An Iliad, a one-actor modern adaptation of Homer s epic, Quincy University 2015.