UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Don Lenze, director of development in the College of Arts and Architecture since 2013, has been promoted to senior director of development, effective July 1. 

During his tenure in the college, Lenze has overseen the expansion of the Development Office into a comprehensive Alumni Relations and Development operation, with the addition of the college’s alumni relations activities in 2018. The team includes positions dedicated exclusively to regional arts patrons, as well as to donor relations and membership programs in the Palmer Museum of Art and the Center for the Performing Arts. Lenze’s team also has responsibility for the Penn State Art Museum at the Arboretum, an ambitious University priority to build a new larger art museum adjacent to the Arboretum. 

“Don is a strong leader and manager respected by colleagues across Penn State,” said Tina Hennessey, executive director of development. “During his tenure, the alumni relations and development team has grown in size and complexity, which has coincided with strong fundraising success in the college. His leadership, the college’s success in the 'For the Future' and 'A Greater Penn State' campaigns, and his achievements as a fundraiser make this a much-deserved promotion.”

According to Barbara Korner, dean of the College of Arts and Architecture, Lenze has developed strong relationships with the college’s alumni and friends.

“Our alumni and friends faithfully and passionately support the art and design programs at Penn State," said Korner. "Don and his team have earned their trust as well as mine in our combined effort to serve the University and its students.”

Lenze has worked in Penn State’s Division of Development and Alumni Relations for 11 years, starting his fundraising career at the University as an associate director of development and later director of major gifts in the College of Engineering before transitioning to the College of Arts and Architecture. He received his master of professional studies in human resources and employment from Penn State’s World Campus in 2014. He is a 1989 graduate of the Smeal College of Business, with a bachelor's degree in accounting.