Why a Foundation? It is crucial that Austin Peay secure additional financial support from the private sector in order to ensure the highest level of excellence in all academic, research and service programs. The Foundation provides the structure through which the University can work directly with special volunteers and community leaders to enhance the financial well being of the University. The Foundation's purpose is to financially support the University.

The Foundation is a separate entity and is chartered by the state, with the authority to receive private gifts in support of the University. Through its executive committee, the Foundation makes its own policy decisions. The University provides administrative support to the Foundation.

The Austin Peay executive director for University Advancement serves as the executive director of the Austin Peay Foundation and is an ex-officio member of the executive committee. The officers of the foundation are: chair, president, vice president, treasurer, secretary, general counsel and executive director. The officers serve as members of the executive committee, along with no less than six, and no more than nine, additional members, who are selected annually by the Foundation president.

The chair of the Foundation presides at all meetings of the board. The president is the CEO of the Foundation. The president presides at meetings of the executive committee and appoints all committees.

Dr. Sherry Hoppe
University President Emeritus