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CORVALLIS, Ore. - A rising leader in higher education marketing and communication has been named vice president for University Advancement at Oregon State University.

Luanne Lawrence, the executive director of public affairs and marketing at the University of Maine, will begin her new duties at Oregon State on Nov. 1, according to OSU President Ed Ray.

"Luanne is a dynamic leader whose career is marked by innovation, creativity and excellence," Ray said. "She has demonstrated a unique ability to get the best out of the people who work for her, and she is incredibly productive, energetic and politically astute.

"This is an important hire for Oregon State University," Ray said. "We need to continue increasing our efforts to reach out to alumni and friends of OSU to inform them of our activities and accomplishments, particularly as we prepare for a capital campaign."

Lawrence oversees all of the public affairs and marketing activities for the University of Maine, which, like OSU, is a Land Grant and Sea Grant institution that has Extension offices throughout the state. Both universities are also located away from the population centers of their respective states, increasing the challenges of creating effective communication.

Under her leadership, the University of Maine created a communication plan in support of its new strategic plan; expanded its advertising for student recruitment, increased its coverage in the news media, and brought a more focused effort to communication with alumni, donors, legislators and others. "Oregon State has some very talented people in advancement and a great story to tell as a university," Lawrence said. "Tying those elements into a consistent, cohesive communication plan is the next step.

"One of the reasons I was attracted to the university was the scope of its research enterprise, which is truly impressive," she added. "The faculty brought in more than $177 million in research funding last year and that has a tremendous impact on the state's economy, and it provides some exceptional educational opportunities for students."

Before going to Maine, Lawrence was the executive director of University Relations at the University of Baltimore for five years, and director of public relations at Lock Haven University in Pennsylvania for five years.

She also spent two years as acting director of community relations at The Pennsylvania State University at Harrisburg, and was a communication specialist for two multidisciplinary associations in Pennsylvania.

She has a master's degree in education from The Pennsylvania State University at Harrisburg, and a bachelor's degree in speech communication and public relations from Millersville University in Pennsylvania.

Lawrence's husband, Jody Mohlman, is a physical therapist assistant and stay-at-home parent. The couple has three children: Rachael, 9; Sarah, 7; and Benjamin, 4.

Lawrence succeeds Orcilia Zuniga-Forbes, who retired last year as vice president for advancement at OSU. Curt Pederson, OSU's vice provost for information services, has been in the position on an interim basis for the last several months.