Announcement Article
Myers McRae Places Director of Development at First Presbyterian Day School
MACON - First Presbyterian Day School announced today the appointment of Jennifer H. Barfield as the Director of Development and Institutional Advancement. Barfield brings more than 20 years of fundraising experience, with the last 16 years in higher education, to her new leadership position at the independent college preparatory Christian day school.
“Fundraising plays a significant role in an institution’s ability to stay at the forefront of education,” said FPD Headmaster Gregg Thompson. “Jennifer is a very talented and accomplished fundraising professional. She brings extensive knowledge and outstanding experience that will enhance our development program and overall fundraising efforts significantly.”
Currently serving as Assistant Vice President for Development and Alumni Affairs at Middle Georgia State College, Barfield assists in directing the Development programs of the college. Her responsibilities include the annual fund, corporate and foundation relations, giving clubs, including The President’s Club, alumni giving, faculty and staff giving, the Annual scholarship Program, and major gifts. She also oversees the alumni affairs program and coordinates special events.
“First Presbyterian Day School is one of Georgia’s highly respected independent schools,” said Barfield. “I am pleased to be joining FPD and look forward to contributing to the success of the school and its students.”
Prior to the merger of Macon State College and Middle Georgia College in January, Barfield was Director of Institutional Advancement and the MGC Foundation at Middle Georgia College for five years. In addition to her advancement responsibilities, she was a member of campus-wide committees, such as the Presidential Inauguration, Honors and Awards, and Commencement.
From 1996 to 2008, she served as Associate Vice President for Donor and Foundation Relations in the Office of University Advancement at Mercer University. Her responsibilities touched on all areas of advancement, from preparing grant proposals to serving as a major gift fundraiser, to planning and executing more than 500 special events. Earlier in her fundraising career, she was the Community Director for the Middle Georgia March of Dimes and the Events Coordinator for Central City Park for the Cherry Blossom Festival.
Barfield earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications, magna cum laude, from Mercer University in 1993 and a Master of Education degree in higher education administration, summa cum laude, from Georgia Southern University in 2011. She is a graduate of the Williamsburg Development Institute.
Active in the community, she is a member of The Pilot Club of Cochran and was named 2012 Pilot of the Year. She serves as the Fundraising Chairman of the Centennial Celebration Committee of Bleckley County.
Barfield and husband Ron are members of Byron Baptist Church and parents to Blake, a high school freshman, and Carter, a fifth grader, both of whom will enroll at FPD in the near future.
About First Presbyterian Day School.
First Presbyterian Day School is a college preparatory school servicing more than 950 students in grades 3K-12 in Macon, Ga., that offers an academically challenging curriculum underpinned by sound Christian principles.
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