Director of Specialized Giving for UTIA To Serve as NAADA Director at Large
Evan Beech, director of specialized giving at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, has been appointed to a one-year term on the Board of Directors for the National Agricultural Alumni and Development Association (NAADA). Beech will serve as a director at large and be appointed to special projects throughout the year for the volunteer-driven organization.
“I am excited to welcome Evan to our Board of Directors,” says Pat Whittington, NAADA president. “I look forward to partnering with our Board members as they include a diverse representation of individuals from all over the country. Wittington says the diversity is vital to the organization’s service to its members, and through them, to land-grant and other colleges of agricultural sciences and to partner programs at institutions throughout the country.
Beech’s term of service began on June 23 with that of more than twenty other Board members from across the United States following NAADA’s 45th Annual Conference.
This isn’t the first honor for Beech from NAADA. In 2018, the organization recognized Beech with its Up and Coming Award. The distinction is given to individuals with two to five years of experience in the agricultural advancement professions of alumni relations, communications and marketing, student services, advancement services and philanthropy and whose early success is promising for future leadership. He has been an active participant in NAADA annual conferences and moderated sessions during them.
Beech began his advancement career with the UT Institute of Agriculture in 2016. In his present capacity of director, he is responsible for planned giving, real estate, and specialty programs.
“Evan’s selection to the NAADA board is well deserved,” says Keith Barber, vice chancellor of Institutional Advancement for UTIA and former NAADA president. “Evan’s natural abilities to connect with others, his comprehension of the land-grant mission, and his strategic vision for advancement’s role in the university are all key assets that serve UTIA well and will aid our national professional association. He will impact NAADA and this opportunity will impact him.”
Barber says, “We’re proud of Evan as he represents the University of Tennessee in this important role.”
A native of Pulaski, Tennessee, Beech has deep roots in agriculture. As an undergraduate at UT Knoxville, he was active in the national agricultural fraternity Alpha Gamma Rho, which he now serves as an adviser. Beech earned a B.S. in political science from UT in 2015. He is presently pursuing an M.S. in agricultural leadership, education, and communications in the Herbert College of Agriculture.
Through its land-grant mission of research, teaching and extension, the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture touches lives and provides Real. Life. Solutions. utia.tennessee.edu.