New VP honored to join MSU Texas

MSU Texas Public Information
06 December 2024

Business and Government Policy and Law Boundless Opportunities General

Jeffrey Spoeri Named Vice President for University Advancement

MSU Texas Public Information
06 December 2024
2 min read

Following a national search, Midwestern State University has named Jeffrey T. Spoeri as its Vice President for University Advancement. Spoeri will officially assume the duties of the position February 1, 2025.

“Jeff brings a wealth of experience, a track record of success, and a deep commitment to the transformative power of education,” said MSU Texas President Stacia Haynie. “His involvement in the communities he has served has been instrumental in fostering meaningful partnerships, supporting institutional goals, and creating opportunities that benefit students, alumni, and university stakeholders.”

As the university’s chief development officer, Spoeri will be responsible for enhancing the university’s visibility and fostering philanthropic support to advance its mission. Those responsibilities include direction for the annual fund, corporate and foundation relations, major gifts and gift planning, endowment, capital campaigns, alumni and constituent engagement efforts, stewardship and advancement services. Spoeri will also serve as Executive Director for the MSU Foundation, a private nonprofit organization supporting the university.

Since 2017, Spoeri has served as Associate Vice President for University Advancement for Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, where he provided leadership for its $150 million comprehensive campaign. The campaign exceeded its goal nearly two years early and contributed to more than doubling the university's endowment over that time, from $70 million to nearly $150 million today. He also was instrumental in establishing Red Day, Lamar's first day of giving, which

has grown in donor counts in each of its four years to date, and in creating the Cardinal Athletics Fund to support Lamar's student-athletes. A veteran of 28 years in fundraising and alumni relations, mostly in higher education, Spoeri previously held positions at Florida Institute of Technology, Florida Atlantic University, Michigan State University, and Stetson University.

"I am profoundly honored to be selected for this important leadership role at MSU Texas, and I look forward to joining my new colleagues. As I mentioned several times during the interview process, the similarities between MSU Texas and Lamar, and between Wichita Falls and Beaumont, give me confidence that we will enjoy great success in advancement at MSU Texas, but it is the distinctions between those institutions and cities that truly ignite my desire to have a positive impact on MSU Texas and to be an active and engaged member of the Wichita Falls community. I am grateful to the search committee for the time and effort they expended throughout this process and to President Haynie for her faith in me," Spoeri said.

As an active member of the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), Spoeri has served various roles on district boards and cabinets, as well as delivered numerous presentations through the organization’s district conferences. Civic and volunteer activities include the Beaumont Chamber Foundation, Leadership Beaumont, Bach Festival Society, Winter Park Chamber of Commerce, Master Chorale of South Florida, and Sinfonia Educational Foundation.

Spoeri earned his A.B. from the College of William and Mary, a M.Ed. from Vanderbilt University, and a J.D. from Washington University in St. Louis.