Posted on Friday, August 01, 2025
Scott Rivinius has been appointed Vice President for Advancement at LaGrange College, effective August 11. Most recently acting vice president of advancement at Broward College in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and executive director of its foundation, Rivinius brings more than 35 years of higher education experience to the college.
“Scott will be a great asset to the LaGrange College team,” said President Susanna Baxter. “A first-generation graduate of a small, liberal arts college, he has spent a career in higher education to ensure students have an affordable, quality experience while enrolled. He understands the mission of this place and feels called into helping make the transformative education at the college possible for generations to come.
“Clearly, his vast experience in campaigns, planned giving and major gifts will continue our college on its path forward.”
Rivinius began his work at Broward in 2018 as associate vice president of development, leading fundraising efforts to secure the five best academic year totals during the foundation’s 54-year history. Prior to that time, he worked from 2011 at University of the Pacific in Stockton, California, as executive director of donor relations and stewardship, and later as associate vice president of advancement operations and co-director of Pacific’s $300M Leading with Purpose campaign, overseeing marketing, reporting and operations.
“I am deeply honored and excited to serve as LaGrange College’s next vice president for advancement,” Rivinius said. “This role perfectly aligns with my personal mission to enhance student success through donor-funded scholarships and programs.
“From the moment Dr. Baxter reached out to me and throughout my two-day visit, I felt the warmth and dedication of the people who serve LaGrange College, particularly its local Trustees. It became clear that this is an institution where my values resonate with its mission and vision, placing students at the heart of everything we do.”
Rivinius shared that philanthropy transformed his life, with a major donor-funded scholarship enabling him to graduate from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida, with a bachelor’s degree in economics. He began his career in admission work there, and after earning his master’s in higher and adult continuing education at University of Michigan, he returned to Eckerd for 13 years and progressed through a range of advancement roles including a focus on planned giving, major gifts and advancement operations. He was intimately involved in a campaign from planning it to its completion, securing $85.7M over seven years, making it his alma mater’s most successful fundraising effort.
Rivinius succeeds Rebecca Roth Nicks, who will be leaving the college this fall after serving LaGrange for 19 years.
Category: Community, College
Keywords: Education, Administration
