David Huffine is a 30-year advancement professional
by Columbia Theological Seminary | Special to Presbyterian News Service
David Huffine
DECATUR, Georgia — The Board of Trustees of Columbia Theological Seminary has appointed David Huffine, a certified fundraising executive, to be the seminary’s vice president for Advancement, according to a seminary news release.
An advancement professional of more than 30 years, Huffine has provided leadership for the past 12 years at St. Joseph’s Villa in Richmond, Va., the longest operating nonprofit for children in the U.S. Previously, he served Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond and North Carolina State University in Raleigh. Huffine is a lifelong Presbyterian and an ordained elder.
“We’re excited by the selection of David as our new Advancement VP,” said seminary president Dr. Leanne Van Dyk. “His experience and proven leadership will be a gift to Columbia Seminary as we seek to fulfill our mission.”
Bringing a record of success in fundraising, marketing and stakeholder engagement, Huffine has helped conceive and implement seven capital campaigns in his career, and launched or innovated programs in annual fund, planned giving and constituent relations. At St. Joseph’s Villa, he coached and supported a high-performing advancement team that has more than quadrupled giving and positioned the organization as a community solution to challenges faced by marginalized children and their families. At Union Presbyterian Seminary, he staffed two campaigns and built congregational engagement and support to higher levels for shared outcomes.
Huffine speaks and teaches widely on topics of fundraising, management, and marketing; has served on the board of the University of Richmond’s Institute on Philanthropy; and currently is on the exam committee for CFRE (Certified Fundraising Executive). He was recognized by his professional association as Outstanding Fundraising Professional and by the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with the Alumni Distinguished Service Award.
“We are thrilled to welcome David to Columbia Seminary. He brings years of experience, a passion for theological education in today’s church, and tremendous energy for sharing Columbia’s unique mission and vision,” said Board of Trustees chair, the Rev. Dr. Tom Walker. “His leadership demonstrates that he considers the work of Advancement as more of a calling than a career.”
Huffine and his wife Linda Schaub Huffine, a Title I reading specialist and ordained elder, have two daughters. One served as a youth elder and the other as a PC(USA) Young Adult Volunteer in Mission.
He has served Bon Air Presbyterian Church as a high school church school teacher, middle school youth advisor, and moderator of evangelism, benevolences and ministry scholarship. He has served Presbytery of the James as moderator of youth ministry and the Associate for Stewardship search committee.
Huffine begins his service at Columbia Seminary at the end of September.
Columbia Theological Seminary “exists to educate and nurture faithful, imaginative, and effective leaders for the sake of the Church and the world.” As an educational institution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Columbia Seminary is a community of theological inquiry, leadership development, and formation for ministry in the service of the Church of Jesus Christ. Columbia Seminary offers six graduate degree programs and dozens of courses and events as a resource for church professionals and lay people through The Center for Lifelong Learning. For more information, visit www.CTSnet.edu.
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