Fox is also regarded for her advocacy work on the state level and national higher education stage, including service and leadership on the board of directors for the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, American Council on Education, Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia, the USA South Athletic Conference, and the Virginia Foundation of Independent Colleges.
“When we convinced Pamela to join us in 2003, we knew our future as a small liberal arts institution within an ever-evolving educational landscape would be challenging,” said Claire “Yum” Lewis Arnold ’69, former chair of the Board of Trustees. “Pamela has met Mary Baldwin’s enormous challenges with extraordinary focus, unbounded energy, contagious enthusiasm, critical thinking, intelligent creativity, and visionary leadership, all grounded in realism, healthy self-awareness, and self-deprecating humor. Not only has she successfully led multiple transformational initiatives, she’s managed to do so while staying true to our mission and laying a solid foundation for her successors to continue our journey of intelligent evolution. She is an inspiration and a role model for leading positive change.”
Investment in MBU’s innovation was made possible by Fox’s fundraising skills for both immediate and impactful growth as well as to nurture the university’s endowment. As Fox prepares for her retirement, the Office of University Advancement is partnering with alumni, university supporters, and the MBU Board of Trustees to honor her legacy through a special fundraising effort.
The Fox Futures Initiative will advance key academic programs, establish career-focused interdisciplinary curriculum, dramatically strengthen endowments, and fund campus improvements. It will also establish an innovative Center for Life Success that will offer premium professional and life-skills advising to drive student success from move-in day, to graduation, and beyond.
Today MBU announced nearly $7.5 million in new gifts from the Fox Futures Initiative, including significant gifts to name and endow the Palmer College of Professional Studies, the Betty Gold College of Arts and Sciences, and the McCree Center for Life Success.
“Pamela Fox has led MBU through one of the most transformative and sustained periods of growth and evolution in our history,” McCree said. Our board has witnessed and supported her leadership and continues to do so in her clearly articulated vision for this new era. Our diverse and inclusive community of undergraduate, graduate, and online students are well prepared for the workforce, poised for successful employment in a new economy, and equipped to be positive contributors to society in a post-pandemic world.”
A celebration to honor Fox will be hosted by the Board of Trustees on April 13. Higher education executive talent firm Academic Search will partner with the MBU presidential search committee and Board of Trustees to conduct the search to find the next MBU president with a goal of naming a successor in spring 2023.