Jeff Kaplan named senior VP for development at Ohio State
The Lantern
April 28, 2011
Just more than a week after the sudden passing of Andrew Sorensen, Ohio State has filled the void with Jeff Kaplan stepping in as senior vice president for university development, president of The Ohio State University Foundation and special assistant to the president for advancement.
Sorensen died suddenly at his home on April 17. The cause of his death remains unknown.
Kaplan will leave his position as senior vice president for administration and planning. His new duties will include leading OSU's fundraising efforts, including an upcoming university-wide campaign aiming to raise $2.5 billion, serving as president of The Ohio State University Foundation and as special assistant to the president for advancement. He said he looks forward to helping the university in any way he can.
"Any time I can do something that could positively impact the people at Ohio State, I consider it a great opportunity and a wonderful chance to have fun myself and still do some good for people," Kaplan told The Lantern. "This is one of those once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that you get to try to fulfill people's dreams and do good for a wonderful organization."
Kaplan earned his juris doctorate from OSU's Moritz College of Law in 1976 and graduated cum laude in 1973 with a bachelor's degree from Yale University.
No stranger to leadership roles, Kaplan's OSU career began in the 1970s working in athletics, admissions and business administration. In 2007, he returned to OSU to serve as vice president for business development and collaborative advancement at OSU's Medical Center, and as interim vice president for University Development.