Ryan Steps Down as Foundation Director, Dieth Named Interim Director

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – In August, The University of Southern Mississippi President Dr. Martha Saunders announced that Tim Ryan would be stepping down from his position as executive director of the Southern Miss Foundation. His resignation was effective Aug. 31. A national search for a successor will begin after consulting with the alumni and foundation boards in September.

Ryan, a 1975 Southern Miss graduate from Bay St. Louis, became director of the Foundation in 2003 after serving for eight years as district manager of corporate and external affairs for Bellsouth’s Pine Belt area. He guided the Campaign for Southern Miss, the university’s capital campaign, to a successful conclusion in 2004 when the target goal of $100 million was surpassed. He also directed fundraising efforts for the Foundation’s Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund, which provided assistance to faculty, staff and students impacted by the storm.

“We’re grateful for the work that Tim has done for his alma mater, and we look forward to his continued support of the university,” Dr. Saunders said.

Ryan has also guided ongoing private fundraising efforts, including for the Trent Lott Center, The Village, and naming opportunities within the Thad Cochran Center. “I thank President Saunders, Dr. Thames, our staff, and the Board of Directors for their support of the Foundation’s efforts during my tenure,” said Ryan. “It has been a pleasure to serve my university in this capacity, and to be part of the exciting growth that has taken place here over the last four years. I expect to see more great things at Southern Miss as it continues to provide quality education for our young people and be a key player in our local, state and regional economy.”

President Saunders has appointed Emile Dieth interim executive director of the Southern Miss Foundation, effective Sept. 1.

“I am pleased that we have someone with his ability and experience already on staff ready to step in and move our development activities forward,” said Dr. Saunders. Dieth serves as the development officer for the university’s College of Business, a position he has held since January 2004. “Southern Miss is a great place with a bright future. I’m excited that I’ll be able to lend a hand in leading the Foundation and the development activities of the university,” said Dieth.

A native of New Orleans, La., and a graduate of the A.B. Freeman School of Business at Tulane University, Dieth has 19 years of experience working in funds development and management with nonprofit organizations after a 26-year marketing and management career with Chevron USA. He has served in successfully completed capital campaigns, one at Tulane University, which was completed at $254 million against a goal of $250 million, and one at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, which was completed at $13.5 million against a goal of $10 million.

He has also served in leadership positions in strategic management, planned giving, alumni affairs, publications, major gifts and annual funds. He served as president of the Montreat Conference Center of the Mountain Retreat Association in the Presbyterian Church (USA), executive director of alumni affairs and annual giving and director of major gifts at Tulane, vice president for development at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, and president of American Personnel Services Inc., a subsidiary of Chevron.