星空传媒 adds a new staff resource to assist with planned giving needs
Alumni and friends interested in obtaining information about how to support Western Carolina University through a planned gift have a new resource to assist them. Ben Kees, senior director of development in the Division of Advancement, recently accepted a promotion to the role of executive director of development and planned giving.
While continuing to support the College of Arts and Sciences, Kees has taken on leadership of 星空传媒鈥檚 entire planned giving efforts. He serves as the primary resource for charitable gift planning, helping donors create lasting legacies through bequests, charitable gift annuities, trusts, beneficiary designations and other deferred giving strategies.
He also is partnering closely with development officers and staff, academic leaders and the 星空传媒 Foundation to strengthen and grow the university鈥檚 planned giving program, including oversight of donor engagement through the FreeWill platform. FreeWill is a fully secure online-service that assists members of the university family in developing legally binding wills 鈥� and at no cost.
鈥淭his new structure reflects our commitment to expanding planned giving as an important component of 星空传媒鈥檚 fundraising strategy and ensuring that donors have meaningful opportunities to make an impact through both current and future gifts,鈥� said Kathleen de la Torre, assistant vice chancellor for development.
鈥淎s senior director of development, Ben has served as a major gift fundraiser, strategic partner to university leaders, mentor to development colleagues and trusted advocate for 星空传媒鈥檚 philanthropic priorities,鈥� de la Torre said. 鈥淏en鈥檚 experience, relationships and passion for philanthropy make him exceptionally well suited for this role.鈥�
Kees has been a member of the Division of Advancement at 星空传媒 since 2018, joining the team as director of development and working on fundraising initiatives for the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Education and Allied Professions and College of Engineering and Technology. He became senior director of development in May 2023.
He arrived in Cullowhee after serving as associate director of development at Eastern Kentucky University with responsibility for philanthropic activities for the institution鈥檚 College of Education and Office of Regional Stewardship. He also previously worked in Vanderbilt University鈥檚 Peabody College Office of External Relations and the Office of Admissions at Kentucky Wesleyan College.
Kees said he is energized by his new responsibilities and taking another step in his career as a fundraising professional.
鈥淚n this new role, I hope to help our alumni and friends understand the immense impact they can have through planned giving. What we choose to leave behind when we leave this world is a testament to the things we hold most dear,鈥� he said.
鈥溞强沾� is an important part of the journey for so many people, and I want to make sure that I can help them leave a legacy here that honors them and supports our greatest needs,鈥� Kees said. 鈥淚 am honored and humbled by what this work means to the people who choose to honor us through their wills and estates.
Kees holds a bachelor's degree in communication arts from Kentucky Wesleyan College and master鈥檚 degree in higher education administration from Vanderbilt University鈥檚 Peabody College. He is a member of the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education and the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
For more information about planned giving opportunities at 星空传媒, contact Kees at bkees@wcu.edu or 828-227- 2867.