Patricia Reardon Arnold Named Interim Vice President of Advancement

ST. LOUIS – Patricia Reardon Arnold, a long-time St. Louis resident who is well known for her fund-raising skills, was named interim vice president of advancement at Webster University, it was announced today. She will replace Charles Hahn, who recently accepted a position at Millikin University in Decatur, Ill.

As the head of Advancement, she will be responsible for overseeing Webster's development office which includes both Annual Funds and Major Gifts, along with Alumni Programs, Parent and Student Programs, Corporate, Foundation, and Government Relations, and Advancement Services.

“In this time of transition from Charlie Hahn’s distinguished leadership and partnership in Webster’s advancement, I am delighted to welcome Patty Arnold to lead Webster’s Advancement team,” said Elizabeth (Beth) J. Stroble, president of Webster University. “Patty’s professional career has focused on successful results for strong organizations, beginning with work in a U.S. Senate office, followed by leadership at the Missouri Botanical Garden and the Mercy Health Foundation. She is an acknowledged leader in St. Louis who will bring sought after expertise to the Webster team at a time when we are well-positioned for continued success.”

“I am delighted that Patty will be joining Webster University as interim vice president for Advancement,” said Julian Schuster, provost, senior vice president and chief operating officer of Webster University. “Her appointment signals our unequivocal commitment to continued efforts to increase Webster’s external presence and engagement. I am confident that Patty’s tenure at Webster will prove beneficial to all segments of the system and particularly to the academics, the core of our operations.”

Arnold is a results-driven fundraising professional with more than 20 years of experience in St. Louis. She most recently worked as President of the Mercy Health Foundation where she and her team of 55 employees raised more than $156 million in six years and was responsible for all aspects of fundraising for more than 19 hospital foundations in seven states.

Prior to that, she worked at the Missouri Botanical Garden as Vice President of Institutional Advancement. During her time there, her team managed a membership program of 33,000 households providing more than $2.5 million in annual operating income. She also developed and implemented the “Stewards of the Earth” campaign with proceeds exceeding a $75 million goal.

Arnold has an excellent reputation in the St. Louis community and fundraising industry. She was honored as the St. Louis Business Journal’s “Most Influential Business Woman” in 2010 and has also been honored with the Association of Fundraising Professional’s Outstanding Fundraising Executive in 2006. Additionally, she is on the board for the Women’s Foundation of Greater St. Louis, the board for the Fair St. Louis Foundation and is a member of St. Louis Forum. 

She will begin working at Webster University on Jan. 23.