The university has named an attorney and board member the new vice president for advancement, a position which has been open for more than a year.
Jim Orr, who graduated from ACU with an accounting degree in 1986, has been hired to fill the university’s top fundraising position. The position has been vacant since spring of 2013, when Phil Boone left the university.
Orr comes from a long line of ACU graduates and has deep connections to the university. A third-generation Wildcat himself, Orr said he is looking forward to join Dr. Phil Schubert and his leadership team.
“ACU has been a part of my family for generations,” Orr said. “It really is a privilege to give back, work here and be a part of the university.”
Schubert, president of the university, said Orr’s family ties and connections to ACU were important factors in the hiring decision.
“We were looking for someone who understands and appreciates the sense of our culture at ACU,” Schubert said. “Someone who has experience with the university in a lot of different capacities – as a student, an alumnus, a parent. You’ve got to understand this place to be successful in this role.”
Schubert said Orr brings a great breadth and depth of understanding of ACU culture to his new role and responsibilities. These responsibilities include being chief fundraiser for the university and inheriting the task of completing fundraising for the $75 million Vision In Action campaign. Schubert said he has full confidence that Orr will do the job well.
“Jimmy is a great people person,” Schubert said. “His relationships he has will help him cover that territory and that will be a big factor in his success.”
As Orr moves into his new position, he will have to resign from his current position on the Board of Trustees. Schubert said Orr has been a significant contributor to the board and he will be missed in that role, but also said he is confident others will step up as leaders.
Effective June 1, Orr will transition from his law practice into his new position.
“Coming into this role having practiced law for a number of years, this is certainly a new area for me,” Orr said. “I am looking forward to learning a lot as well.”
Orr and his wife Elaine plan to move to Abilene in the summer of 2015.
“I hope that my presence here will be a benefit to the university,” Orr said. “That is what I am praying for.”
Though the process has taken time, Schubert said he believes ACU has chosen the right man for the job.
“This is a big hire for ACU,” Schubert said. “It’s taken us a while but I am confident that God has opened the doors to lead us to Jimmy and Elaine. It will be a great partnership.”
