Yelverton Becomes Development Officer for UM Business School

OXFORD, Miss. – Longtime University of Mississippi staff member Karen Yelverton has joined the University Development team to seek private funds for the School of Business Administration.

In her new role as a development officer, Yelverton will cultivate private gifts and strengthen relationships with alumni and friends to help ensure UM business students and faculty have the resources they need to excel.

“We are delighted to have Karen join our team in the School of Business Administration,” said Ken Cyree, the school’s dean and holder of the Frank R. Day/Mississippi Bankers Association Chair of Banking. “She brings many years of experience and a passion for the university to the business school. We are excited that she will help us maintain and advance our successes that impact our school’s students, alumni, faculty, staff and friends. I look forward to working with her to enhance and improve the Ole Miss School of Business Administration.”

The higher education professional previously served on the staff of the UMAA Foundation, where she was the associate director for athletics development. In this role, she attracted private contributions for Ole Miss athletics, including those to the Indoor Practice Facility, Basketball Practice Facility, Oxford-University Baseball Stadium renovation, Vaught-Hemingway Stadium’s South End Zone expansion and scholarship endowments.

“Karen is a respected professional who is well-known by many of our donors,” said Debbie Vaughn, assistant vice chancellor for development. “We are pleased to have her join our team and eagerly anticipate the contributions she will continue to make to the university through her new position. Karen’s work will support our vibrant School of Business Administration and its commitment to high-quality teaching, scholarship and service.”

The new director of development for the business school said she is ready to begin her new responsibilities Dec. 14.

“I am very excited about the opportunity to work with the School of Business Administration, as well as the University Development staff,” Yelverton said. “I feel that I have built some fantastic relationships with Ole Miss supporters and hope to expand those, as I help garner private gifts to strengthen business education.”

Yelverton earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in higher education from Ole Miss. While an undergraduate, she played on the Women’s Volleyball Team from 1994 through 1997 and is a lifetime member of the Ole Miss M-Club.

Yelverton and her husband, Ed, reside in Oxford.

For more information about the School of Business Administration, visit http://www.olemissbusiness.com/.