Workman joins PC as new director of major gifts

March 16, 2007

Dr. Harry A. Workman of Greenville has joined the advancement staff at Presbyterian College as the new director of major gifts.

Workman, a native of McCormick, is the former director of development for the Greenville County Disabilities and Special Needs Foundation, where he was responsible for coordinating capital campaign projects, initiating a planned giving program, creating a manual of operations and policies, and establishing a Special Needs Trust.

A retired Methodist minister, Workman earned his bachelor's degree in psychology from Clemson University. He earned a master's of divinity degree from Emory University, where he graduated magna cum laude, and a doctor of ministry degree from Erskine Theological Seminary, where he graduated summa cum laude.

In addition to serving as a pastor at churches in Greenville, Aiken, Newberry, Estill, and Ware Shoals, he also has served as an adjunct professor at Columbia College. He is currently a member of Horizon Presbyterian Church in Greenville.

All three of these work experiences – in fundraising, in the church, and in higher education – make Workman a perfect fit at PC, according to the college's vice president for advancement David Atchley.

"Dr. Workman will be essential in the church phase of the college's 'Promise and Challenge' campaign as we connect with our community," he said. "His background as a minister and, most recently, as a fundraiser for the Greenville Disabilities and Special Needs Foundation gives him a good foundation to advance PC's mission. As our director of major gifts, Harry will allow us to expand our base of donors we need to broaden and engage."

Workman also believes his experiences and passions put him in the right place at the right time at PC.

"PC and its values are very attractive to me," he said, adding that his 22 years in the ministry provided a number of opportunities at the national level to work with colleges and seminaries exploring what it means to be a church-related institution.

"Something that's always attracted me to PC is its relationship with Thornwell (Home and School for Children)," he said. "I know when (college and Thornwell founder) William Plumer Jacobs started this, he started it with the aspiration of creating a school that is church-related and value centered."

From his conversations with college officials during the interview process, Workman discovered he was both "called and blessed to become a part of the PC team." He said three words already define his experience at the college – "honor and leadership and service."

"I like the historical connection to the church," Workman added. "I hope to be able to strengthen that relationship. With PC, it's also about creating leadership – not just for personal gain but also for service in the community. I'm very excited about being a part of that because that fits with my calling."

Simply put, Workman said he hopes to bring both the experience and passion of his spiritual calling to his new duties at PC.

"My personal calling is I want to glorify God and enjoy his favor forever," he said. "I want to bring that to advancement as well, so that every gift is valuable and every giver is sacred – so that our connection with our institution is a sacred act that creates a continuing legacy of greatness and builds on that honor, leadership, and service."

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