Rebecca Surian and George Johnson Join Spartan Athletics Team
4/28/2021 2:00:00 PM | General
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan State Vice President and Director of Athletics Bill Beekman announced a pair of new hires on Wednesday. Rebecca Surian, a 30-year development professional at Michigan State, will lead the Spartan Fund as the Senior Director of Development. George Johnson has been hired as the Director of Alumni Engagement and Community Outreach.
"We're very excited to have Rebecca Surian join us as our Senior Director of Development and to add George Johnson as our Director of Alumni Engagement," MSU Athletic Director Bill Beekman said. "These two roles are critical to our success, and both Rebecca and George have a passion for helping Spartan athletics succeed. Rebecca brings an extraordinary track record of working with advancement teams and donors across the globe on behalf of MSU. George comes to Athletics with decades of corporate experience at strong Michigan companies like Spectrum Health, Blue Cross and Blue Shield, and Ford. Working together, and with our donors and alumni, they will help drive MSU Athletics forward."
Surian brings 30 years of fundraising experience at Michigan State to the athletic department. She comes to athletics from the College of Music, where she's worked since 2006, including as Senior Director of Development since 2015. At the College of Music she spearheaded unprecedented success in philanthropy for the College's students, faculty, programs and facilities, with more than $100M in gifts and commitments raised. During the recent Empower Extraordinary Campaign, the College exceeded its stretch-goal by 187%. In March 2020, the College of Music opened the doors to the newly constructed Billman Music Pavilion. Under Surian's direction and leadership, the College surpassed its fundraising goal for the $41.5M new facility.
In her new role, Surian will guide the Spartan Fund as the Senior Director of Development, while serving on the department's executive leadership team. The job entails fundraising, personnel management and program management. Surian will maintain a personal portfolio of major and principal gift prospects, while also directing a Spartan Fund staff that includes 14 full-time employees, ensuring that the unit is acting in concert with the department's priorities. As Michigan State Athletics is a self-sustaining unit, private support is essential for the Spartans to be able to offer championship level opportunity in the classroom, in competition and in the community.
"As someone who grew up on campus from the age of three - literally in the "faculty bricks" on Cherry Lane - I have spent my entire life passionately supporting my Spartans," Surian said. "I take great pride in being the first woman in this position and look forward to partnering with our incredible coaches and staff in support of our student-athletes and the University as a whole."
A graduate of Michigan State, Surian joined the College of Music as Director of Development in 2006. Prior to that she served as the Director of Development for the College of Arts & Letters from 2001 to 2006. From 1995 to 2001, she was Director within the Special Giving Societies. From 1991 to 1995, she worked for the Annual Giving Programs, serving first as systems coordinator before being promoted to assistant director in 1993.
Johnson brings extensive private sector experience along with a passion for Michigan State University and Spartan Athletics to his new role. Johnson's experience includes past stops at Spectrum Health System, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Ford Motor Company.
As Director of Alumni Engagement and Community Outreach, Johnson will connect former student-athletes back to MSU Athletics and the University at large. He will enhance the relationship between MSU Athletics, the larger MSU community, and the many athletic department supporters who are not former student-athletes. In addition, Johnson will assist with athletic department events such as fundraising activities and programs, working with the Spartan Fund, including identifying potential donors and institutional supporters.
"To have this opportunity to serve our athletic department is an honor," Johnson said. "Part of our mission is to prepare our student-athletes for life's journey beyond Michigan State. My goal is to be a resource while they are enjoying that journey and to welcome them back to Michigan State once they leave."
Johnson received his undergraduate degree in Employee Relations from Michigan State University. He was a student manager for the Spartan men's basketball team under head coach Jud Heathcote.
"We're very excited to have Rebecca Surian join us as our Senior Director of Development and to add George Johnson as our Director of Alumni Engagement," MSU Athletic Director Bill Beekman said. "These two roles are critical to our success, and both Rebecca and George have a passion for helping Spartan athletics succeed. Rebecca brings an extraordinary track record of working with advancement teams and donors across the globe on behalf of MSU. George comes to Athletics with decades of corporate experience at strong Michigan companies like Spectrum Health, Blue Cross and Blue Shield, and Ford. Working together, and with our donors and alumni, they will help drive MSU Athletics forward."
Surian brings 30 years of fundraising experience at Michigan State to the athletic department. She comes to athletics from the College of Music, where she's worked since 2006, including as Senior Director of Development since 2015. At the College of Music she spearheaded unprecedented success in philanthropy for the College's students, faculty, programs and facilities, with more than $100M in gifts and commitments raised. During the recent Empower Extraordinary Campaign, the College exceeded its stretch-goal by 187%. In March 2020, the College of Music opened the doors to the newly constructed Billman Music Pavilion. Under Surian's direction and leadership, the College surpassed its fundraising goal for the $41.5M new facility.
In her new role, Surian will guide the Spartan Fund as the Senior Director of Development, while serving on the department's executive leadership team. The job entails fundraising, personnel management and program management. Surian will maintain a personal portfolio of major and principal gift prospects, while also directing a Spartan Fund staff that includes 14 full-time employees, ensuring that the unit is acting in concert with the department's priorities. As Michigan State Athletics is a self-sustaining unit, private support is essential for the Spartans to be able to offer championship level opportunity in the classroom, in competition and in the community.
"As someone who grew up on campus from the age of three - literally in the "faculty bricks" on Cherry Lane - I have spent my entire life passionately supporting my Spartans," Surian said. "I take great pride in being the first woman in this position and look forward to partnering with our incredible coaches and staff in support of our student-athletes and the University as a whole."
A graduate of Michigan State, Surian joined the College of Music as Director of Development in 2006. Prior to that she served as the Director of Development for the College of Arts & Letters from 2001 to 2006. From 1995 to 2001, she was Director within the Special Giving Societies. From 1991 to 1995, she worked for the Annual Giving Programs, serving first as systems coordinator before being promoted to assistant director in 1993.
Johnson brings extensive private sector experience along with a passion for Michigan State University and Spartan Athletics to his new role. Johnson's experience includes past stops at Spectrum Health System, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Ford Motor Company.
As Director of Alumni Engagement and Community Outreach, Johnson will connect former student-athletes back to MSU Athletics and the University at large. He will enhance the relationship between MSU Athletics, the larger MSU community, and the many athletic department supporters who are not former student-athletes. In addition, Johnson will assist with athletic department events such as fundraising activities and programs, working with the Spartan Fund, including identifying potential donors and institutional supporters.
"To have this opportunity to serve our athletic department is an honor," Johnson said. "Part of our mission is to prepare our student-athletes for life's journey beyond Michigan State. My goal is to be a resource while they are enjoying that journey and to welcome them back to Michigan State once they leave."
Johnson received his undergraduate degree in Employee Relations from Michigan State University. He was a student manager for the Spartan men's basketball team under head coach Jud Heathcote.
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