Based in the University's St. Louis Outreach Office in the Central West End, Harvill will be responsible for building University support among alumni and corporations.

"We are excited to expand our outreach within the St. Louis area," said Alan Zacharias, vice president for university advancement and executive director of the Foundation. "Dee brings with her a successful track record in resource development and is well prepared to serve our alumni and the St. Louis corporate community."

"With more than 14,000 alumni in the St. Louis area, there is a tremendous opportunity to continue building a solid foundation of support for the University," Harvill said. "In addition, forty percent of our first-year students are from the St. Louis area.

"In my short time with Southeast, I've been very impressed with the depth and commitment of our area alumni and volunteers who are integral in expanding the University's presence in St. Louis," Harvill said.

Prior to her appointment, Harvill, a Bethalto, Ill., native, served as director of institutional advancement for Logos School, a St. Louis independent, alternative, therapeutic middle and high school. In addition, Harvill participated in the Coro Women in Leadership Program and serves on the board of directors for the Junior League of St. Louis and the Association of Fundraising Professionals. She is also an active volunteer with the United Way of Greater St. Louis.

The Southeast Missouri State University St. Louis Outreach Office is located at 625 North Euclid. Harvill can be reached by telephone at (314) 323-9224 or via email at dharvill@semo.edu.

Southeast Missouri State University, founded in 1873, enrolls approximately 9,500 students and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate areas of study in science, technology, education, the health professions, business and the liberal arts. The Southeast Missouri University Foundation was established in 1983 and operates solely to support the educational mission of Southeast Missouri State University.