LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ -- Rider University has announced the promotion of Gina Spagnoli of Princeton Junction, formerly director of major gifts and senior development officer at the University, to the newly created position of director of development. The appointment is effective immediately.

In this new position, Spagnoli has full responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the University's comprehensive development program, including major gifts, annual giving, corporate and foundation support, planned giving, and development research.

"Gina has done an exceptional job for Rider for more than seven years," said Richard Chamberlain, vice president for development and University relations. "Her new position is a natural and well-deserved career move that will serve both her and Rider well."

Spagnoli joined the Rider development staff in 1992 and was senior member of the team that earned a 1994 Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Circle of Excellence award for overall fund raising improvement. The gift total that year was nearly $6 million, the highest in Rider history to that point.

Prior to joining the Rider staff, Spagnoli served as director of development and director of the Spencer Fellowship Program at the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation, based in Princeton. She also has extensive professional experience from her work with renowned musical institutions including Carnegie Hall in New York, the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, and the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra in St. Louis.

Spagnoli received a Ph.D. in musicology from Washington University in St. Louis, and holds a masters degree in musicology and a bachelor of music education degree from Michigan State University. She has earned fellowships from the International Research and Exchanges Board for her work on 17th century German composer Heinrich Schütz, which has resulted in a book titled The Letters and Documents of Heinrich Schütz.

In addition to her development duties, Spagnoli has taught several music courses on both Rider's Lawrenceville and Princeton (Westminster Choir College) campuses.