Bill Burma Announces Retirement

November 15, 2022

After more than 22 years, Bill Burma, Grand View University’s Vice President for Advancement, will be retiring from Grand View at the end of February. President Dr. Rachelle Keck says, “I would like to thank Bill for his decades of stellar service, relationship building, fundraising success, and tireless commitment to the University.”

Bill took over the role of Vice President for Advancement in July 2000. During his tenure, Grand View completed three major fundraising campaigns which included funding for the Johnson Wellness Center/Luhrs Athletic Complex, the Rasmussen Center, and the Henning Student Center. In addition, Grand View’s Endowment Fund grew from $8 million to $33 million. The number of endowed funds grew from 23 to 83, including seven-figure gifts to the Humphrey Center Endowment, the Carlson Scholarship Fund, the Jacobson Chair, the Braida Chair, and the Rasmussen/Skow Chair. In total, the University has benefitted from more than $70 million in gifts during Bill’s tenure.

Stephen Sporer, Associate Vice President for Advancement, will assume the Vice President role at the start of 2023. Stephen has been with the university since January 2022.