Peterson named director of alumni affairs and university events at Rice

CONTACT: B.J. Almond
PHONE: (713) 348-6770
E-MAIL: balmond@rice.edu

Rice University alumna Ann Peterson has been named director of alumni affairs and university events for Rice and also will serve as executive director of the Association of Rice Alumni (ARA).

Since 1994, Peterson has worked in the alumni office, where she quickly assumed increasing levels of responsibility. She currently serves as the director of alumni programs and services.

Peterson received her B.A. from Rice in 1986, triple-majoring in economics, policy studies and anthropology, and earned an M.A. in anthropology from the University of Texas in 1990.

PETERSON

”Ann is viewed within the alumni department, the Resource Development division, and the university as a creative thought leader who is energetic, collegial and hard-working,” said Darrow Zeidenstein, vice president-designate of resource development at Rice.

As alumni director, Peterson will oversee the team that is charged with developing and cultivating relationships, through communications, programs and activities, between Rice University and its alumni and also coordinate the involvement of the volunteer board of the ARA with the university.

”Ann has an extraordinary level of understanding of the Rice alumni population and is an insightful leader,” said Harry Gee ’60, current ARA president. ”We look forward to her leadership in the alumni office and her expanded role with the alumni association.”

Peterson will succeed Mark Delos Reyes Davis, who has served as director since December 2002. Last August, Davis also began serving as assistant to the president. He will assume the role in the president’s office full time and will become the team leader for international collaboration strategies in the president’s office.

During Davis’ tenure in alumni affairs and university events, he strengthened the relationship between the university and the alumni association through increased communication and interaction. He led a team that expanded electronic programs and services, enhancements in alumni communications and marketing, and regional programming and institutional messaging. He worked with on- and off-campus leaders in securing expanded space for the alumni office and the ARA, resulting in the department’s recent move to the renovated O’Connor House.

”Mark and his team have made Rice one of the best alumni programs in the nation,” said Eric Johnson, vice president for resource development. ”Much of this success can be attributed to an effort that effectively leveraged each team member’s strengths. Ann and the alumni team have the experience, ability and energy to continue on this trajectory, keeping Rice a leader in alumni relations and university events programming.”

”It has been a true honor to serve the alumni of Rice and an extraordinary privilege to work with such a fantastic team,” said Davis. ”I look forward to seeing the advances they will make in the years ahead.”

Peterson and Davis will assume their new positions July 1.