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May named executive director

James W. May Jr. will lead the College of Arts and Sciences in the next fund-raising campaign as executive director of the Arts and Sciences Foundation at Carolina.

May brings nearly 20 years of development and management experience to Carolina and the college, the oldest and largest academic unit at the University. At Davidson College, his alma mater, May was vice president for college relations since 1997 and Davidson's top fund-raiser.

He oversaw development, alumni relations and communications, including the college's radio station, WDAV. When he left in December 2000, May was assisting Davidson trustees and the president in the planning and implementation of the college's $250 million campaign, its most ambitious. May also led Davidson to a successful $163 million campaign that ended in 1995.

At the Arts and Sciences Foundation, May will manage a 12-person staff that in 1999-2000 helped raise more than $34 million for professorships, scholarships and programs in the College of Arts and Sciences. Established in 1975, the foundation supports the College of Arts and Sciences with 15,000 students and 700 faculty.

May's appointment in December capped a five-month search for an executive director of the foundation, a position left vacant in July by Dennis Cross. Cross was named vice president of university development at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Va.

"Jamie arrives with the experience we need at this important time in the college's history," said Risa Palm, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. "He understands the value of a liberal arts education and has an extensive knowledge of fund-raising ideals. We are delighted that he has joined the college and will take us to the next level of funding support for our faculty, students and programs."

May also will be senior associate dean in the College of Arts and Sciences.

He began his career at Davidson in 1982 as director of alumni relations, progressing to positions of increasing responsibility. An Atlanta native, May taught history and coached in Georgia public schools for eight years. From 1970 to 1972, he served as an officer in the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps and completed a tour in Vietnam.

"I've been to Chapel Hill many times over the years, always as an admiring visitor," said May, who began working at the Arts and Sciences Foundation on Jan. 2. "Now it is my privilege to call this place home, and to represent this extraordinary University. Most of all, I'm excited about working with the foundation staff, its board and Tar Heels all across the country."

A graduate of Davidson, May earned his bachelor's degree in history in 1970. In 1976, he earned his master's degree in history from Georgia State University. May has four children, two of whom are college students at Wake Forest University and Davidson College.

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