Shon Herrick named Vice President for Development

Shon Herrick has been named vice president for development at Furman University following a national search. He has served as interim vice president for development since November 2024 and steps into the permanent role effective immediately.

Herrick has been in higher education advancement for 30 years, a career that began at Furman University in annual giving and later serving as a major gifts officer. That led him to the University of Illinois where he guided advancement efforts for the Division of Student Development and later the College of Law.

Later, Herrick became vice president for development at Pfeiffer University before returning to Furman in 2010 as associate vice president for development. As interim vice president, he led the development team through the final years of the record-breaking Clearly Furman fundraising campaign and emerged from a competitive national candidate pool as the clear choice for the permanent role.

“Shon Herrick’s transition from interim vice president for development to the permanent role reflects both his steady leadership and the trust he’s earned across the Furman community,” said Furman President Elizabeth Davis. “Guiding the university through the most ambitious fundraising campaign in its history, he has demonstrated a clear vision, collaborative spirit and an ability to inspire confidence within his team and among the broader Furman family. His team has not only advanced the campaign’s success but has strengthened the relationships that make Furman’s future so promising.”

Herrick will lead the Office of Development, overseeing future campaigns, building relationships with alumni, parents and friends while helping the overall growth of Furman University. He will work closely with university leadership on long-term strategy on everything from comprehensive campaigns to alumni and parent engagement, major gifts, annual giving and stewardship. Herrick will continue partnering with campus Institutes, the Office of Marketing and Communications and Enrollment Management, among others.

“For me, I have been privileged to be a part of this team for nearly 16 years. I have worked at other institutions, and our current team is the most dedicated and professional group I have been a part of,” Herrick said. “Our team is committed to supporting our students. They are a group who cares about Furman, and have great pride in their work. I cannot wait to continue to work with, mentor and support the work of this group.”

Throughout his varied roles in advancement, Herrick has helped to raise hundreds of millions of dollars and established relationships around the globe. In the past 16 years alone, he has been a key part of the Furman team that has raised more than $620 million. Giving annually, which stood near $20 million per year when he returned in 2010, has surpassed $50 million in each of the past two years.

Herrick has his bachelor’s degree from the University of Toledo and earned his master’s degree from Clemson University.