Inside Furman, Spring 2007

Furman’s prolific fundraiser
Lineback, to retire this fall, leaves legacy of giving

As Furman’s longtime vice president for development, Don Lineback has been too busy to reflect on his fund-raising accomplishments.

Known for his tireless energy, early morning emails and attention to detail, Lineback is Furman’s multi-tasking energizer bunny on speed who has reshaped fundraising and helped instill a culture of giving among university alumni and friends.

“I’ve always liked to live by the phrase that you can glance back but don’t stare,” he says. “You can get too satisfied and complacent.”

But with the sun setting on a dynamic 14-year stint at Furman and 35-year career in higher education, Lineback is lightly indulging, taking both a deep breath and a bit of stock.

“When you pull back and look at it,” he says, “it’s been a good 14 years.”

In 1993 — the year Lineback arrived at Furman after serving 15 years as dean of development at Rhodes College (Memphis) — the university was at a historical crossroads. Having just severed ties with the South Carolina Baptist Convention, the university was taking a hard look at its financial balance sheet minus the $1.5 million in annual funding the convention provided. Many of the buildings on the 40-year-old campus were in need of repair. New facilities were in demand. And the following year a young, ambitious president was anxious to move forward.

At Rhodes Lineback had helped to increase the endowment from $11 million to $110 million, managed a 10-year capital campaign that netted more than $100 million — double its goal — and boosted alumni giving to nearly 50 percent. Furman trustees were hoping the Washington & Lee graduate and former German professor could accomplish similar goals here.

Soon after arriving, Lineback turned to alumni to “help bridge the gap.”

“This is perhaps Furman’s most financially challenging period since World War II,” he told alumni in the June 1993 issue of Furman Reports. “One of our biggest needs is to make up for the loss of nearly $1.5 million in annual support as a result of the break with the South Carolina Baptist Convention. A high priority is to build annual support and the endowment, which are the lifeblood and financial underpinning of the university.”

In 1996, the university launched the quiet phase of the Forever Furman Campaign. The original goal was $150 million, which surprised many. But eventually more than $200 million was raised.

“The [previous campaigns] were just good, steady and well planned,” says Tom Hartness, a longtime Furman supporter and trustee. “The financing and the amount raised [during the Forever Furman Campaign] were rather astounding.”

Lineback changed the shape and structure of the fund-raising arm of the university. He added staff, placing a greater emphasis on alumni relations, planned giving and, more recently, donor research.
Another signature achievement occurred in the late 1990s when Lineback challenged his department to boost annual alumni giving to 50 percent or more. After some anxious moments — and many early evening telephone calls — the giving threshold was reached in 1997-98 and has been met every year since.

Under Lineback’s watch the university’s endowment has grown from $110 million to more than $500 million, and membership in the Richard Furman Society (those donating $10,000 or more a year to Furman) has increased from 10 to 120. In all, his office has accounted for close to $350 million in gifts.

Lineback promotes a sense of camaraderie and shared goals in the office, says Don Fowler, who has worked in the university’s development office for more than 20 years. “Don has really helped to take to us to the next level and beyond. I think our organization compares favorably to any of our peer institutions.”
With another capital campaign on the horizon, Lineback announced last year that he would retire this fall and hand the reins to Mike Gatchell, who currently serves as executive director of development. But don’t expect Lineback to stray far. He’ll continue as a part-time consultant.

The reduced workload will allow him more time to travel with his wife, Judy (the couple’s first trip will be to Italy) and indulge in hobbies such as woodworking and taking FULIR courses.

“I’m happy to have been able to effect some change and to have made a difference. I think we have laid a very good foundation,” he says. “I would just love to come back in 50 years and see how Furman has grown. This place will be many, many times greater.”