Jarel Loveless, associate director of development for the College of Business Administration, brings an “everyone wins” attitude to his fundraising efforts at UMSL. His enthusiasm for the work earned a nod as an Outstanding Young Professional from the St. Louis Regional Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. (Photo by August Jennewein)
Doctor. Lawyer. Nurse. Teacher. President. Entrepreneur. Shortstop. We all have future visions of ourselves when we’re young.
For Jarel Loveless, his vision was that of an award-winning journalist – bouncing back and forth in his mind between Bob Woodward and Edward R. Murrow. Journalism degree in hand, Loveless launched his career as a print reporter in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
“I had great editors who let me cover a variety of stories – including the Carolina Hurricanes Stanley Cup run [of 2006],” Loveless said. “I also dabbled in television on the weekends. I’m certainly thankful none of my early work survives on the internet.”
Changing trends in journalism and a longing to be closer to home prompted the O’Fallon, Illinois, native to move to St. Louis, where he “dipped [his] toe” into fundraising at the Saint Louis Science Center about 10 years ago.
“I immediately fell in love with the profession,” Loveless said. “A lot of people think that fundraising is a painful process – it isn’t. We work with donors to help them identify causes they can support that align with their personal values. Everyone wins!”
Certainly the 32-year-old Loveless is a winner. Now the associate director of development for the College of Business Administration at the University of Missouri–St. Louis, he will be recognized with an Outstanding Young Professional Award from the St. Louis Regional Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals during an event in November.
“I am a first-generation college graduate who realizes the value of an education – not only for myself but for generations to come,” Loveless said. “UMSL plays a very critical role within the community by providing a quality, affordable education. My team has great leadership that keeps us constantly moving in the right direction. Their vision for the college resonates with me.”
Among those leaders is business Dean Charles Hoffman and Vice Chancellor for Advancement Martin Leifeld.
“Jarel brings a lot of energy and talent and empathy to every project – which I believe donors appreciate and respect immediately,” Leifeld said. “I’m certainly delighted that the AFP is honoring him with this award as he’s most deserving.”
The business college has recently announced several scholarship and program gifts as well as opening Anheuser-Busch Hall – the first campus building dedicated solely to its students and operations.
Joining UMSL in June 2016, Loveless said he was “lucky enough to help at the end of the campaign to build Anheuser-Busch Hall.”
“I certainly will be involved in raising funds for the second building that is being planned to complement it,” he said. “We also have needs within all of our departments and will be working with our generous donors to turn those dreams into realities.”
This is the second consecutive year that AFP-St. Louis recognized a UMSL fundraiser. Katy Robertson, associate director for leadership giving, won the young professional award last year.
