Welcoming New Leaders to University Advancement

Dear Foresters,

As summer winds down and we prepare for the 2025-2026 academic year, I’m pleased to share exciting news regarding two strategic hires in University Advancement: Mr. Robert (Bob) Young, our new vice president for advancement, and Ms. Katherine (Katy) Herron, who will serve as major gift officer and grants coordinator.

Following a national search, Bob Young has answered the call to serve as a senior leader at Huntington University beginning on Monday, August 4. Bob brings over 14 years of experience in institutional fundraising, donor strategy, and team development across higher education — including Christian institutions — and nonprofit ministries. For the past 10 years, he has served as senior gift officer and priority project coordinator at Messiah University. Prior to that, he was a major gift officer at Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

Bob holds a Bachelor of Science degree in human resource management from Messiah University and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in strategic leadership. Before transitioning to nonprofit fundraising, he spent 20 years in the banking industry. Throughout the search process, Bob demonstrated a strong alignment with Huntington’s mission and expressed a deep desire to lead with integrity and build a Christ-centered advancement team. He and his wife, Natalie, will be relocating to Huntington this weekend and will reside in Forester Village while they prepare to sell their home in Williamsport.

I am equally delighted to welcome back a Forester alumna, Katy Herron (Class of 1994), who will join us on Monday, August 11, as our major gift officer and grants coordinator. Katy will focus primarily on fundraising while also helping to identify and pursue grant opportunities for the University.

Katy earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in broadcasting communications with a minor in business management and was active in HU’s theatre community during her undergraduate years. She brings a well-rounded background in sales, training, and development, fundraising, and public relations. Most recently, she served as director of donor and public relations at Community Crew in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. With deep roots in Northeast Indiana, Katy is thrilled to return to the Hoosier State and serve her alma mater.

Please join me in warmly welcoming Bob and Katy to the Huntington University community.

With gratitude to the vice president search committee — Danny Fleming, Steve Thomas, Wayne Moore, Kelsey Herber, and Anita Watson — as well as Amanda Esterline for their invaluable assistance throughout the search process.

— Dr. Rob Pepper