Hendrix College names Dr. Meredith Brunen as VP for Advancement
by January 29, 2024 3:26 pm 697 views
Hendrix College has named Northwest Arkansas native Dr. Meredith Brunen as its new vice president for Advancement, effective May 1, 2024.
Brunen joins Hendrix from the University of West Georgia (UWG) in Carrollton, where she serves as vice president for Advancement and CEO of UWG Foundations. Under her leadership, UWG had its most successful fundraising year in history, including a 156% year-over-year increase and the institution’s largest gift ever.
She also played a key role in securing a $1 million gift to establish the Stone Center for Family Business, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation. At UWG, Brunen successfully led the team to close out a $50 million campaign.
Prior to joining UWG, Brunen served in similar executive roles at the University of South Carolina Upstate in Spartanburg, University of West Florida in Pensacola, and NorthWest Arkansas Community College in Bentonville.
“We are excited for Dr. Brunen to join the Hendrix community and serve on the College’s leadership team in this critical role,” said Hendrix President Karen Petersen. “She is a seasoned higher education advancement professional with nearly two decades of successful experience, and she is very familiar with the role of Advancement in fostering lifelong relationships for the benefit of the College and its students.”
Brunen was named the Outstanding Young Alumni of the Year by the University of Arkansas College of Education and Health Professionals in 2019, recognized as a Forty Under 40 by the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal, and honored as the 2014 Young Woman of the Year by the Northwest Arkansas Business Women’s Conference.
A Fayetteville native, Brunen earned three degrees from the University of Arkansas: a bachelor’s degree in international relations and Middle East studies and both master’s and doctoral degrees in higher education leadership.
“I am honored to return to my home state of Arkansas and join the esteemed Hendrix College community as Vice President of Advancement,” said Brunen. “Under the inspiring leadership of President Karen Petersen, I am eager to contribute to the College’s legacy of excellence and lead strategic initiatives that will shape the future of philanthropy at Hendrix. My family and I are thrilled to embark on this exciting journey, reuniting with the warmth and hospitality that make Arkansas truly special.”