UM assistant VP helped school raise more than $3 billion
If you asked Susan Tamny Jones what she did professionally she’d likely say, “fundraiser.” That’s what she did. But her passion for the institutions she helped support and her skill at persuading donors to open their wallets elevated fundraising to an art form.
Call it grace. A warm approach. Whatever Jones did, it worked.
“Her career as a transformational fundraiser left an indelible mark on the University of Miami and its community,” the school said in its obituary for Jones, UM’s assistant vice president in the Division of University Advancement. Jones died at her Coral Gables home after a long battle with cancer on Christmas Day. She was 72.
Jones, who served the UM community for more than 20 years, was instrumental in the success of UM’s two major capital campaigns — Momentum 1, which began in 2003, and Momentum 2, in 2012. The two campaigns raised more than $3 billion and helped transform the university’s research centers and classrooms, added student scholarships and awards, and attracted top faculty.
Donna Shalala was UM’s president during the two capital campaigns. In the school’s tribute on Tuesday, she called Jones, “a critical leader in building the U into a first-tier university. I treasured her guidance and friendship over the years.”
Julio Frenk, UM’s current president, said: “Susan’s ever-present personal touch was the touchstone by which many University of Miami donors became lifelong Hurricanes. She loved bringing people together for a common cause, and the university is stronger and more responsive for it.”
Jones’ leadership at UM was recognized through her induction into the Iron Arrow Society, the highest honor given by the university.
Jones was born June 26, 1945, in Annapolis, Maryland, to Navy Cmdr. Lewis D. Tamny and Ann Tamny. As the daughter of a career military family, Jones grew up in numerous posts in Florida — Pensacola, Opa-locka and Sanford — as well as Texas, New Jersey and Rhode Island. She graduated from the University of Florida.
Jones is survived by her husband, Edgar, and sons Patterson and Cooper; grandchildren Olivia and Ava; and siblings Michael, Pete and Laiky Tamny.