photo by: Chad Lawhorn/Journal-World photo

KU Endowment's offices on West Campus in Lawrence are pictured April 16, 2021.

Story updated at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday:

A University of Kansas alumnus and former president of a private university has been selected as the next leader for KU Endowment, the university’s chief fundraising organization.

Dan Martin will take over as president of KU Endowment on Aug. 15, replacing longtime leader Dale Seuferling, who is retiring.

Martin is a fourth-generation Kansan who has three degrees from KU. Martin comes to KU Endowment from the St. Luke’s Health System, where he served as the organization’s chief philanthropy officer of its Texas division. Prior to moving into the health care industry, he was president and CEO of Seattle Pacific University, a private, Christian university of about 4,000 students.

“I’m honored and humbled to have been selected to lead KU Endowment into the future,” Martin said in a release. “I believe my time as a fundraiser in multiple organizations, including a health system, and serving as a university president provided me with the right skills and a fresh perspective on philanthropy.” 

KU Endowment leaders also highlighted that Martin would bring a new perspective to how the organization raises money in support of KU.

“As we consider how best to accomplish KU Endowment’s ongoing mission of providing perpetual support to the University of Kansas, having a fresh set of eyes on how we do things will become increasingly important in light of how philanthropy is changing,” said Lydia Beebe, who served as chair of KU Endowment’s search committee. “The good news is that we’re already a very strong organization, with much to be proud of. Dan’s experience, combined with the expertise and knowledge of our current senior leadership team, will be a powerful driver of our ongoing and future success.” 

Martin had been with St. Luke’s Health since spring of 2021, according to a press release announcing his hire there. Prior to moving into the health care field, Martin served several universities. In addition to serving as president of Seattle Pacific University, he also had served as president and CEO of Mount Vernon University and as a vice president at Point Loma Nazarene University and in various administrative roles for MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe.

Martin served nine years as president of Seattle Pacific University before resigning in April 2021 to take the position with St. Luke’s Texas division.

While at Seattle Pacific, the university’s endowment more than tripled to a total of $137 million, according to information from the university. The university also touted that Martin’s tenure included its largest fundraising year in history, in fiscal year 2019, and that Martin launched new campaigns that reduced tuition rates and increased scholarship offerings at the university. He also oversaw construction of a new residence hall, a new health sciences building and music and performance spaces at the university during his nearly decadelong stay in Seattle.

Martin has spent nearly 30 years in higher education, according to KU Endowment. Martin, who lists his hometown as Overland Park, received a doctorate in higher education policy and leadership from KU, in addition to receiving a law degree and an MBA from KU. He also has a doctorate in higher education management from the University of Pennsylvania.

KU Endowment undertook a nationwide search to find a replacement for Seuferling, who had been with KU Endowment since 1981 and had served as the organization’s president since 2002.

“At the end of the day, we felt Dan was the right choice because he is equally at home in the leadership, administrative and fundraising aspects of a university,” said Dave Dillon, chair of KU Endowment’s Board of Trustees. “Having been a university president, he has first-hand knowledge of the importance of philanthropic support to a university’s overall mission and its ability to operate. We know he’ll work hard to make sure KU Endowment continues to partner with donors, staff and the university community to ensure KU remains a world-class university for years to come.”

KU Chancellor Douglas Girod was on the search committee for the new endowment president, but unlike most other positions connected to KU, the endowment president is not hired by the chancellor but rather by KU Endowment’s Board of Trustees, which operates separately but in coordination with KU.

“As a member of the search committee, I know how much time and thoughtfulness went into this selection,” Girod said. “We took our role seriously, knowing our decision would have great implications for not only KU Endowment, but for the entire university community. I’m excited to work with Dan and look forward to what we’ll be able to accomplish as we build on Dale Seuferling’s amazing legacy.”

Seuferling announced his pending retirement from KU Endowment early this year. Seuferling has remained with KU Endowment while the board searched for his replacement. KU Endowment on Tuesday said Seuferling will remain in his current role until Aug. 15 and will remain with the organization through Aug. 31 to assist in the transition.

photo by: Submitted photo/KU Endowment

Dan Martin