Eschen and Twells receive promotions in Alumni & Development Programs

Nov. 24, 2004 -- Tom Eschen and Doug Twells, both members of the Alumni and Development Programs staff, have been promoted to assistant vice chancellor roles, according to David T. Blasingame, executive vice chancellor for the department.

"Both Tom and Doug are effective fund-raisers and excellent administrators. Both have been exceptional ambassadors for Washington University and we look forward to their continuing leadership in the office of alumni and development programs in the years ahead," Blasingame said. Eschen has been promoted to assistant vice chancellor for development and Twells has been named assistant vice chancellor of medical alumni and development programs.

Twells joined the university in 1991 as director of medical development in the office of medical alumni & development, and was promoted in 1996 as executive director in that office. His career in development began at the University of Chicago, where he served in the major and special gifts department; he also worked there as a writer and director for the research department.

After graduating from Heidelberg College in 1968, he joined the Peace Corps and served in teacher training colleges in India. He returned with his wife to the U.S. and earned a master's degree in South Asian languages and civilizations from the University of Chicago. This was followed by a stint in Iran as an English instructor, and shortly thereafter, Twells received a Junior Research Fellowship from the American Institute of Indian Studies for dissertation research at Benares Hindu University in India.

Eschen has been with Washington University 12 years, joining the Alumni & Development Programs staff as associate director of major gifts. Since then he has served as director of regional development programs and as executive director of major gifts. His career in development began with DeSmet Jesuit High School in 1980 and has since included KWMU-FM, Lindenwood College, Webster University, and the University of Missouri-St. Louis. In addition, Eschen has taught a wide range of courses, including broadcast journalism classes at the university level.

Eschen holds a journalism degree from the University of Missouri, which he received in 1975, and a master's degree in communications from Saint Louis University.

"Doug and Tom have made significant contributions to the advancement of the university, were instrumental to the success of the capital campaign, and have earned these promotions," Blasingame noted.