Connie Eggert, vice chancellor for university advancement at Missouri University of Science and Technology since December 2002, has announced plans to leave S&T to become director of philanthropy for The Nature Conservancy in Phoenix, Ariz.

“It has been my privilege to lead the advancement effort at S&T and to spearhead both of the institution’s capital campaigns,” Eggert says. “Working with world-class educators, researchers and donors has prepared me well to further the work of the Nature Conservancy in protecting nature and preserving life.”

“Connie Eggert has done an excellent job in leading the university’s fundraising efforts over the past eight years,” says Missouri S&T Chancellor John F. Carney III. “Her knowledge of S&T, along with her experience in development and marketing, were pivotal in leading the university advancement team through our recent, very successful Advancing Excellence Campaign.”

Under Eggert’s leadership, Missouri S&T earned two National Circle of Excellence awards for most improved fundraising program and five sweepstakes awards for the highest advancement achievement in their district, all conferred by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).

The Advancing Excellence Campaign goal was to raise $200 million in private support to fund scholarships, support faculty and programs, upgrade facilities and equipment, and increase corporate funding for research over a seven-year period. Donations to the campaign included gifts from 22,000 alumni, corporations, foundations, friends of the university, faculty, staff and students, as well as private grants. Despite the nationwide economic downturn, Missouri S&T exceeded the goal and raised $211.8 million between July 1, 2003 and June 30 of this year.

Eggert’s 16-year history with the University of Missouri included positions at Columbia as well as S&T. Before joining Missouri S&T to serve as vice chancellor, Eggert served as executive director for advancement at the University of Missouri-Columbia College of Business. At S&T she served as assistant vice chancellor of development and marketing. Prior to joining S&T, she worked in the corporate marketing field with McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) and Boatmen’s Bank.

Eggert further served S&T as the panhellenic advisor, a member of the Board of Trustees and a member of the Strategic Planning Commission. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Illinois and a master of business administration degree in marketing from Washington University in St. Louis.

Steve Malott, vice chancellor for administrative services at Missouri S&T, will serve as interim vice chancellor for university advancement, effective immediately. Malott will continue his duties as vice chancellor for administrative services and also will chair the search committee for Eggert’s successor.