Following an impactful tenure, Senior Vice President of Advancement Col. Stephen M. Bloomer, USA, Ret. will retire from his Phi Delta Theta Foundation post on January 1, 2023. President Sean Wagner and the Foundation Board of Trustees have named current Director of Advancement and Planned Giving W. Andrew Cole as Colonel Bloomer’s successor.
Colonel Bloomer joined the Phi Delta Theta Foundation in July 2017 after ten years in college advancement at his alma mater Monmouth College in Illinois. Steve’s time on staff began with a comprehensive assessment of operations and strategies and an enhancement plan where appropriate. In 2018 he helped lead the closure of an eight-year campaign, Building on the Bond, two years ahead of schedule, while leading the feasibility analysis for the next campaign. This work helped inform the 2030 strategic planning process. With the Foundation team, Steve launched the Greater Version for Tomorrow comprehensive campaign with $9 million raised towards its ten-year, $30 million goal. During its sixty-four-year history, four of the top five fundraising years of the Foundation have occurred during Brother Bloomer’s years of service.
“Phi Delta Theta is very fortunate to have had Colonel Bloomer’s service that helped us reach our short-term fundraising goals and lay the groundwork for future success. This included the further sophistication of our Foundation operations and the mentoring of our team,” said Wagner.
Brother Cole enters his new position with a track record of philanthropic impact, having managed the Phi Delta Theta Foundation advancement team since 2014. The Fraternity’s endowment grew from $14 to $31 million during his tenure. Andrew has also raised over $5 million for the Foundation, including acquiring seven-figure gifts and helped design, implement, and ensure funding support for strategic concepts such as the Harrison Presidents and First-Generation Student Scholarships. Additionally, Andrew assisted in the Campaign 2030 construction, reenergized the Living Bond Society planned giving program, and has actively served the Advancement and Campaign Committees and the Board of Trustees.
A member of the Indiana Epsilon Chapter and a graduate of Hanover College, he is a Certified Fundraising Executive and a board member of the Cincinnati Planned Giving Council.
“With his long track record of service, demonstrated success, and fundraising acumen, Andrew is uniquely positioned to help lead our team to see through the successful completion of our campaign and beyond,” said Wagner.
