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Amir Pasic To Replace Tempel As Lilly School Dean

INDIANAPOLIS — Amir Pasic will be the new dean of the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. It is anticipated that he will be the first holder of the endowed Eugene R. Tempel Deanship, named for the retiring founding dean, once fundraising for it is completed.

Pasic’s appointment is subject to approval by the IU Board of Trustees. He is expected to begin his new position on Jan. 20. Tempel will continue to lead the school until Pasic’s arrival.

Pasic, 51, is vice president for international operations with the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), a global professional association serving educational institutions and their advancement professionals responsible for alumni relations, fundraising, communications, marketing and allied areas.

“Philanthropy is seen as a borderless profession,” said Pasic. Hs immediate task is to huddle with the faculty and staff, he said. Fundraising will also be a key element of the role. “If we are to have the impact on the world expected from the school we have to have the resources to do it,” Pasic said.

“Amir has the wide range of experiences, skills and global connections that are just perfect for the next leader of the worldÕs first school of philanthropy,” said Chancellor and IU Executive Vice President Charles R. Bantz. “His extensive experience dovetails with the school’s mission of improving philanthropy to benefit the world. And his expertise in strategic planning and development demonstrated by his achievements in his current role at CASE, along with his academic prowess in leadership roles at Johns Hopkins, are indicative of a strong commitment to and passion for the advancement of philanthropy. Amir’s appointment ensures the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy’s future is in good hands.”

The school, with an endowment of more than $80 million, provides a comprehensive approach to philanthropy through its academic, research and international programs and through The Fund Raising School, Lake Institute on Faith & Giving and the Women’s Philanthropy Institute. The dean’s endowed chair was announced last week. More than $4 million of the $5 million endowment goal has been met.

Pasic has experience as a dean, in international philanthropy and in fundraising. As CASE vice president since December 2011, Pasic has been responsible for leading the growth of the organization’s operations in Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin American and Africa. Under his leadership, CASE’s international annual revenue has experienced double-digit growth while its overseas memberships and conference attendance are at record levels, according to a statement from IU.

Prior to joining CASE, Pasic was associate dean for development and strategic planning for the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University, where he also served as executive director of the Foreign Policy Institute. During his time as dean, the school exceeded its $120 million goal as part of the university’s $3.7 billion Knowledge for the World Campaign. As executive director, he crafted seminars and simulations; oversaw the nomination and approval of fellows; hosted academic and policy leaders; and mentored student journal editors.

Before Johns Hopkins, he served as deputy vice president of advancement at George Washington University. He was also a foundation officer at the Rockefeller Brothers Fund and a faculty member at Brown University.

Pasic earned his doctorate in political science at the University of Pennsylvania. He holds a master’s degree in international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree in economics and political science from Yale University.

Born in Iran to parents from Croatia and Bosnia, he also speaks German, French and conversational Farsi.

“I am honored to be joining the community that has created the first school of philanthropy,” said Pasic. “In my travels and conversations, I have seen how the school serves as a beacon for scholars, practitioners and philanthropists around the world. I also admire the university that has supported this new venture and look forward to working with the Lilly Family School’s committed and growing community to advance the understanding and practice of philanthropy.”

Tempel praised his successor. The two met for the first time this past fall during a conference in Singapore, Pasic said. “Amir’s remarkable background and qualities have prepared him well to lead the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy,” Tempel said. “With his diverse range of experience from the classroom to the development office to the national and international perspectives he has had at CASE, Amir brings both a breadth and depth of understanding and new ideas to build on the foundation that we have laid and to develop the next phase of the school. Like my colleagues, I look forward to assisting him in developing the school to its full potential.”

Tempel is not leaving the university. While retiring from the administration, after time off he said he will rejoin the faculty.