Foundation Leadership
Board of Directors
The University of Northern Colorado Foundation is governed by volunteer Board of Directors. The Board appoints the Foundation’s president and chief executive officer who manages the professional staff of the Foundation and Alumni Association.
Senior Staff
Virgil Scott, CFRE, President/CEO
Scott was appointed president of the University of Northern Colorado Foundation in May 2006 after a national search. Prior to joining the Foundation, Scott served as the president and CEO of the Fort Hays State University Endowment Association in Hays, Kan. At Fort Hays State, Scott provided leadership for the Centennial Campaign, a $36 million comprehensive capital campaign that surpassed the original goal of $30 million. He also headed the efforts to raise $5.6 million for the Robbins Alumni and Endowment Center, which will serve FHSU’s 38,000 alumni. During Scott’s tenure the association’s assets grew from $15 million to $42 million while $31 million was distributed to the university for scholarships and programming.
Prior to joining Fort Hays State in 1994, Scott was a marketing and advertising executive with 12 years of advertising agency and media sales experience, primarily in the Topeka, Kan. market. He graduated from Fort Hays State with a degree in Communication in 1981 and received Certified Fundraising Executive certification in 2004. Scott’s wife, Diane, received her PhD in College Student Personnel Administration from the University of Northern Colorado in 1995. An active volunteer, Scott recently served as Vice Chair of the Kansas Area United Methodist Foundation and as a member of the State of Kansas Crime Victims' Grant Review Board. Also, Scott has served on the CASE District VI Conference Planning Committee the past 3 years.
Polly Kurtz, Vice President of Administration and Finance/CFO
Polly Kurtz was named vice president of administration and finance/CFO of the University of Northern Colorado Foundation in 2007. Prior to joining the Foundation, Kurtz served as director of finance and operations for the Forest Institute of Professional Psychology in Springfield, Mo., where she directed all aspects of operations and finance for a private, nonprofit graduate school with an annual budget of $5 million. She was also responsible for human resources, accounting, grant funds management, clinical training clinic and financial aid.
Prior to joining the Forest Institute of Professional Psychology, Kurtz spent a number of years as a mental health counselor and in behavioral health administration. She received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Evangel University and a master’s degree in counseling from Missouri State University. In 1998, Kurtz returned to Southwest Missouri State where she earned a master’s degree in business administration. Among her many professional accomplishments, Kurtz spearheaded the award of a $1.1 million HUD grant to provide affordable housing for disabled individuals with mental illness and received the 1997 Metropolitan Life Foundation Award for Excellence in Affordable Housing for the development and management of the Wilkinson Semi-Independent Apartment Program. Kurtz's husband, Bill, is community banking president of Wells Fargo Bank, and they have four beautiful children ranging in age from 11 to 18.
Jerry DeWitt '77, Vice President of Alumni and Donor Relations
In January 2008, University of Northern Colorado alumnus Jerry DeWitt '77 was named vice president of alumni and donor relations of the UNC Foundation. Prior to joining the Foundation, DeWitt was vice president of marketing for US Paycard, Inc. in Las Vegas, Nev., where he was responsible for directing brand strategy, business development and all marketing programs, including sales collateral, website development, business-to-business communications and trade shows. After graduating from UNC, DeWitt worked for many years as a successful advertising executive for McCann-Erickson and at D’Arcy Masius Benton & Bowles in Houston, Tex. A native of Denver, Col., DeWitt spent 12 years at First Data Corp. where he was the Western Union director of marketing and soon after vice president of marketing, working with such clients as Blockbuster, Starbucks and Wal-Mart on First Data’s gift card business. DeWitt later became vice president of marketing at General Electric headquartered in Stamford, Con.
An ardent supporter of the University of Northern Colorado, DeWitt received his bachelor’s degree in Political Science from UNC in 1977. While a student, he also remained involved with campus activities, serving as vice president of the UNC student government (Associated Students), president of the UNC Student Exchange Program and associate president of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. In addition, DeWitt was selected to “Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges.”
Michael Johnson, Vice President of Development
Prior to joining the Foundation/Alumni Association in September 2004, Johnson was the director of Alumni Relations at his alma mater, Northwest Missouri State University. Known as an enthusiastic program builder, Johnson has served on the CASE-VI conference planning team chairing the moderators and alumni track, and was recently nominated to the CASE National Alumni Commission board of directors. His passion is family and his harem of three daughters: Michaela, Chloe and Annika. Johnson's wife, Kenna Johnson, is co-director the Women's Resource Center and Stryker Leadership Institute at the University of Northern Colorado.
View the complete list of UNC Foundation and Alumni Association Staff
