Brian M. Oakes named Loyola’s vice president for advancement
Brian M. Oakes, ’99, MBA ’10, has been named Loyola University Maryland’s next vice president for advancement, effective immediately. In the position, he oversees the offices of advancement, alumni engagement, marketing and communications, and external relations.
Oakes has served as Loyola’s interim vice president for advancement since Terrence M. Sawyer, J.D., who formerly oversaw the advancement and communications division as senior vice president, became president of Loyola on Jan. 1, 2022.
Since joining the Loyola administration in 2005, Oakes has taken on increasingly advanced roles for the University, including director of alumni relations, director of development for Loyola College, assistant vice president for advancement, and associate vice president for advancement. He was selected as vice president for advancement after a national search and his role is effective as of Sept. 1, 2022.
“Over the past 17 years, Brian has been not just a key fundraiser for Loyola, but also an instrumental leader for our University, building and strengthening relationships throughout the Loyola community and beyond,” Sawyer said. “He brings to his work a passion for Loyola and the Jesuit, liberal arts education we offer, along with astute knowledge and demonstrated leadership as a fundraiser. I look forward to seeing all he will achieve as he leads the advancement and communications division in the years ahead.”
During his tenure at Loyola, Oakes has raised millions of dollars in scholarship funding; overseen the largest planned gift in University history; raised funds to match a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to launch Messina, the University’s living learning program; played a key role in Loyola’s successful $100 million campaign, Bright Minds, Bold Hearts; and served as the lead on several successful campaign priorities including gifts to advance the York Road Initiative, Global Studies, and Peace and Justice Studies.
“I have had the honor and privilege to see first-hand the impact philanthropy has had on our students and the education we provide at Loyola,” Oakes said. “I am constantly struck and humbled by the commitment of our Loyola family to the future success of our students. My advancement colleagues, along with faculty, staff, and administrators across the University, are deeply committed to ensuring student success in and out of the classroom. Loyola is so fortunate to have alumni, parents, and other supporters who believe so passionately in the future of Loyola and want to invest in the University by advancing programs, enhancing the campus, and building the more, the next, the magis.”
Oakes earned his Bachelor of Arts in Communication with specialization in public relations from Loyola in 1999 and went on to receive an Executive MBA from Loyola in 2010.