VP Rosselli to transition to Belmont

Baylor Faculty and Staff:

I wanted to share the news with you that David P. Rosselli, our Vice President for University Advancement, has made the difficult decision to leave Baylor University for Belmont University in Nashville to further develop its institutional advancement operations. His transition from Baylor will be effective June 30, 2023.

When Dave came to Baylor in Fall 2015 as Vice President for University Development, it was a challenging time in Baylor’s history. Since I became President in June 2017, he has been a deeply valued member of a consistent and stable institutional leadership team, which has paid dividends for the entire Baylor Family.

Among his accomplishments, Dave provided leadership for Give Light, the University’s first comprehensive philanthropic campaign, which eclipsed its initial $1.1 billion goal ahead of schedule in February 2022 and now stands at $1.32 billion. As we approach the conclusion of the campaign, it is in many ways a natural transition point for Dave. He has such a passion for Christian higher education and bringing together donors, foundations and friends to provide philanthropic support. At Belmont, a sister Christian institution, he will have a new challenge and opportunity to help grow faith-based higher education.

For Baylor, and with Dave’s guiding hand, Give Light has truly been transformational — undergirding the Illuminate strategic plan and fueling the University’s elevation as a Research 1 institution and as a preeminent Christian research university. Give Light has impacted every aspect of campus life – spiritual life, academics, athletics, student life and global engagement – while also bolstering financial support for students and the priorities of our 12 schools and colleges. Under Dave’s leadership, Give Light included a historic $100 million gift – the largest in Baylor history – that has left an indelible legacy on our endowment and the University’s academic enterprise with the creation of 14 endowed faculty chairs through the Foster Academic Challenge.

Dave also led the consolidation of Baylor’s previous development and constituent engagement functions into a true Division of Advancement, successfully integrating fundraising operations with alumni relations, and including parent engagement.

To further illustrate his impact, before Dave arrived at Baylor, the University’s fundraising was between $40 million and $60 million annually. Today, it has increased to an average of more than $180 million during the past five years. Although we will miss Dave tremendously, he will leave a Baylor that is remarkably strong and financially healthy.

Following Dave’s departure, I have asked Toby Barnett, a Baylor graduate, current Associate Vice President for Advancement and Director of the Give Light campaign, to serve as our Interim Vice President for Advancement. We will commence a national search for Baylor’s next Vice President for Advancement in the near future.

Please join me in celebrating Dave’s transformational impact on Baylor and expressing our deepest gratitude for his faithful service to the University. We wish him and his wife Christine all the best in this next chapter of their professional and personal journey.

Sincerely,

Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.
President