A Peculiar Calling

About the Book

For seven years, Mark J. Drozdowski has shared his insight, wit, wisdom and humor as "The Fund Raiser," a monthly column in the Chronicle of Higher Education. Here in one complete volume are his first 80 columns, dating from 2001-2008.

Discover how Drozdowski tackles such knotty issues as minority scholarships, massive endowments, billion-dollar megacampaigns, professional certification, donor relations, campus politics, career advancement, alumni communications, and management and leadership. Join him as he fumbles his way on the golf course, on the racquetball court, on the ski slopes and at the billiard hall. Experience life on the road and meet characters such as Bill Daly, Dan Dinero, Eva Dents, Bill Fold, Mr. Whirlybird and Massachusetts Fats. Above all, learn how fund raising has reshaped American higher education and how money influences important decisions.

Drozdowski draws on 17 years of toiling in the trenches of philanthropy, finding humor and purpose in every day. With an unmistakable voice, Drozdowski weaves a story of one man's journey through seven years of learning and living the peculiar life of a college fund raiser.

About the Author

Mark J. Drozdowski is an author, professor, college administrator and consultant. Over the past 17 years he has held senior fund raising and communications positions at five colleges and universities, and has consulted for dozens of others. A prolific writer, Drozdowski has published essays, op-eds, profiles, features and reviews in newspapers and magazines nationwide. Since 2001 he has written “The Fund Raiser” column for the Chronicle of Higher Education, which forms the basis of this book. From 2002-2005 he served as chief higher education writer for the marketing division of the New York Times. He was co-author of The Insider’s Guide to Graduate Programs in Education (Allyn & Bacon, 1997). Drozdowski holds a bachelor’s degree in American history from the University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree and doctorate in higher education from Harvard University.