For three decades, Brent Magner (’79) has served in Christian education fundraising
and development roles, advancing institutions of higher learning. His extensive knowledge
and experience in the art of ‘the ask’ and inviting others to join in the mission
of York College has blessed his alma mater more than can be repaid or a retirement
party could ever remunerate.
Magner is turning in his overtime office hours, weekly meetings, board reports, and
countless phone calls for a “gone-fish’n’” shingle. Not really—he doesn’t like to
fish—but give him a good book to read and he will be content until supper. And if
you have ever had a taste of Brent’s humor, whether it’s back in his days in YC's
Soul Concern or how he laughs the hardest at his own jokes, you probably are guessing
that he thinks that’s funny. He does.
Before returning to York College, Magner spent 14 years at Abilene Christian University, Abilene, Texas, where he served half of his time there as ACU’s Director of Development. In 2007, he made the move to Nebraska where he was named YC's vice president for advancement, a position he has held the last 14 years. His experience working with comprehensive campaigns at ACU as well as ACU’s Annual Fund became a tremendous asset, and his educational background and experience made him a great fit for the role.
“From the time Wayne Baker called me in 2007 until now, the journey has been all about
God's work,” Magner said. “Sometimes His abundance caught me off guard. I don't know
why. His faithfulness is the story of York College, or anyway the only one that matters.
And because He's faithful, lots of lives have been touched and changed here. It has
been a good journey, but it is time for me to step down. It's also a good time for
a new person with energy and fresh ideas to help figure out what comes next.”
During his tenure at York College, endowment grew from $6.6 million to $17.5 million,
and financial stability has been a constant, even in a nation embroiled with fiscal
uncertainty. The Beyond 125 campaign that was completed in 2017 was the most successful fundraising campaign in
the history of the College, surpassing the $10.7 million goal by $6.17 million. The
campaign included the construction of the Bartholomew Performing Arts Center, Touchton
Baseball Clubhouse, and the creation of the Clayton Museum of Ancient History. Dollars
raised for student scholarships and endowment exceeded $9.5 million during the campaign.
“We have been very fortunate to have someone of Brent’s caliber to represent and promote
York College in the areas of advancement,” said Dr. R. Wayne White, Chair, YC Board
of Trustees. “His work with donors, alumni and other friends has put the College on
solid footing that will pay dividends for years to come.”
President Sam Smith had high praise for Magner as well, “Brent has literally spent
years’ worth of time on the phone, typed miles of words via emails, and racked up
thousands of travel miles out of a deep passion for York College. His work and efforts
led the College through numerous successful capital campaigns where millions of dollars
were raised. Perhaps more importantly, hundreds of people were able to hear Brent's
passion for YC and they ultimately became partners with YC. His passion for YC is
truly contagious."
Smith went on to say, "One of the things I love most about Brent is that his first
instinct in any situation is to pray. There is no doubt in my mind that Brent bathed
this decision in prayer and his confidence in what comes next is in God alone."
Magner is looking forward to a slower pace where he can enjoy spending more time with
family. He and his wife Kay have four grown children and two wonderful daughters-in-law:
Daniel (Jasmine), Jennie, Caleb (Amalia), and Ann.
“I do remember the summer day after we had been here about five years, when I came
home from work and Kay had spent the day with friends and our kids and later working
in our garden,” Magner reflected. “She was reading Psalms and came across the verse
that says, "The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places." That was and
is York for us. York is not a destination and probably on no one's bucket list, but
it is a community and a college that we love. More importantly, York is an off-the-beaten-path
place where God does a faithful work - sometimes in hearts that submit and sometimes
in hearts that rebel. But it is all His good work no matter how we respond.”
1978-79 Soul Concern: (l-r) Tom Learned, Brent Magner, Darryl Darden, Scott Lambert,
Dennie Osborne, Paul Blake, Gary Boyle, and Chris Rhodes.
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Magner earned his associate’s degree from York in 1979 where he was active in the
A Cappella Chorus, Soul Concern, theatre, and Sigma Tau service club. He received
his bachelor’s from ACU in 1981, and his master’s degree in public affairs from the
University of Iowa in 1984.
President Smith summed it up, "We won't find another Brent Magner, but he modeled what an exceptional VP for Advancement is, does, and can do for YC." |