By Eric Barendsen

John Pepperdine

In May of this year, the CU Foundation hired a rising star in the fundraising world to head up the School of Journalism and Mass Communication's development efforts. John Pepperdine, 35, a former fundraiser for the journalism school at the University of Kansas and several political campaigns, and an experienced fundraising consultant for nonprofits, brings to CU a passion for building support for higher education.

"I don't think some people understand how important donors are to the school and their impact in so many areas: from the computers the students use, to the renovated hallways, to the tuitions they pay for," Pepperdine said.

"Private fundraising at CU is increasing, and it's only going to become more important," he said.

Pepperdine began his career in 1994 working on political campaigns in his home state of Kansas and later fundraising for the Missouri governor's office. In between, he worked as a researcher in the White House, writing news releases and acting as a liaison between the White House and other offices.

From 1997 to 2000, he worked as a lobbyist for the American Cancer Society. Notably, he backed a bill to make it easier for people to seek a second opinion from a doctor when the likelihood of cancer is high, and he criticized the Kansas legislation's use of tobacco-company money won in a national settlement.

"I loved it, but I found out I liked fundraising more. It's more tangible and you can see results much more quickly," he said. "Seeing people go to school who wouldn't have been able to otherwise is very satisfying."

Pepperdine said he is excited to work with the SJMC team.

"There's tremendous cooperation," he said, "I've never seen so much support from an advisory board and its chair. Doug Looney ('63) is chairman of the SJMC Advisory Board.

Scott Sochar ('83), copy editor at The Mercury News in San Jose, talks with new development director John Pepperdine at the School's alumni reception in San Francisco in August. (Photo by Alice Butterick)

"They roll up their sleeves and say, "Let's get the job done,'" he said.

Pepperdine comes to SJMC from Charlton Manley Insurance of Lawrence, Kan., where he created a business development department to expand its customer base and improve sales.

From 2003 to 2005 he worked at Hartsook Cos., consulting with nonprofits to strengthen fundraising strategies.

Prior to that, Pepperdine worked for three years at the Kansas University Endowment Association raising money for the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications. There, he initiated KU's first capital campaign to improve campus infrastructure and helped the foundation substantially exceed its fundraising goal of $5 million.

"When I look back and see what has made a difference in my life, it is higher education. That's what motivates me – to see that repeated with others as well."