O’Rourke named Clemson vice president for development, alumni relations

Clemson alumnus Brian J. O’Rourke of Greenville has been named vice president for Development and Alumni Relations at Clemson University and will serve on the executive leadership team reporting to President James P. Clements.

“Brian is a proven leader who has directly overseen the successful The Will to Lead capital campaign, helped to generate record levels of annual private giving and built an alumni network that is ranked number one in the nation,” Clements said. “He and his team will play a key role in generating resources to support the goals of the Clemson Forward strategic plan.”

His area of responsibility also includes the Clemson Alumni Association, which is ranked as the best alumni network by The Princeton Review. Clemson’s ranking was based on data and student surveys about the activities and visibility of alumni and the percentage of alumni who recommend Clemson to prospective students.

In his most recent position as associate vice president in Clemson’s Institutional Advancement Division, O’Rourke has directed the development fundraising operation, which has brought in more than $100 million annually for the past five years; and The Will to Lead $1 billion capital campaign to support faculty and students with scholarships, professorships, facilities and technology.

O’Rourke, a Massachusetts native, earned two Clemson degrees: a bachelor’s degree in administrative management in 1983 and a master’s degree in personnel services in 1985. He attended Clemson with an IPTAY scholarship, was a basketball manager and a member of Tiger Brotherhood, Alpha Tau Omega and Blue Key Honor Society.

After graduation, O’Rourke spent five years as director of field activities for the Clemson Alumni Association. Throughout his career, he has remained an active donor to Clemson academic and athletic programs and has served in volunteer and leadership roles.

Expanding his career experience beyond Clemson, O’Rourke went on to become vice president of development for St. Francis Health System in Greenville, where he also served as executive director of its Foundation. Later, he was a senior consultant for Corporate DevelopMint, a Charleston-based fundraising consulting firm. He returned to his alma mater in 2004 to lead the alumni and fundraising operations.

“I am honored to be able to serve our university in this new role and to work with an outstanding team in building relationships to partner and support our faculty and students,” O’Rourke said. “Our work in building philanthropic support will make Clemson forever stronger.”

Brian and his wife, Amy, have two married sons: Josh (wife Cameron) and Nick (wife Jen) Kendrick, and one granddaughter, Piper.