Cal Poly Names Boise State Executive as New Vice President of Development

Matthew N. Ewing will also serve as CEO of Cal Poly Foundation

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — Cal Poly today announced Matthew N. Ewing, associate vice president for development at Boise State University, as its new vice president of development and CEO of the Cal Poly Foundation.

Ewing, who will start at Cal Poly on May 7, brings extensive higher education fundraising experience, including leading universitywide, multi-million dollar building and scholarship campaigns; developing annual giving and student leadership programs; and managing major gifts.

At Cal Poly, Ewing will oversee ongoing efforts to achieve the university’s philanthropic goals in support of Cal Poly’s unrivaled Learn by Doing experience. He will also serve as CEO of the Cal Poly Foundation, an all-volunteer auxiliary whose mission is to help raise private funds in support of the university’s programs.

“The entire Cal Poly community will benefit from Matthew’s fundraising expertise and collaborative approach toward increasing engagement and developing a culture of philanthropy among the campus community, alumni and industry partners,” said Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong.

“Cal Poly must continue to add state-of-the-art facilities and equipment and recruit and retain our expert faculty and staff in order to prepare our graduates for success in their chosen fields. At the same time, state higher education funding has dropped over the past four decades, and we have to continue to increase our philanthropic efforts to provide the unique hands-on experience for which this university is nationally recognized.

“We are thrilled that Matthew will lead us in these efforts.”

Throughout his career, Ewing has developed or led unique campaigns and programs to engage students and alumni to build pride and traditions, enhance annual giving commitments, and forge relationships with donors who want to contribute toward student success.

“Once my wife and I visited Cal Poly, we immediately fell in love with the people and the community,” Ewing said. “There is a sense of pride that Cal Poly students possess. I am honored to serve the university and will be eager to harness this pride and create compelling ways for alumni and industry partners to join us in improving the lives of our students.

“Learn by Doing is such a strong educational philosophy. When you combine this philosophy with philanthropy and scholarship it creates a powerful formula to move the life of the student and the institution forward.”

As associate vice president for development at Boise State University since June 2014, Ewing has led fundraising for the university’s top philanthropic priorities, including a three-year universitywide scholarship campaign that raised more than $52.2 million — more than twice the campaign’s goal.

Prior to joining Boise State, Ewing spent eight years in a variety of leadership and fundraising roles for the Indiana University Foundation. He also was recruited to lead the Indiana University Student Foundation’s Little 500, the largest collegiate cycling race in the world. The event facilitates a culture of pride, tradition, and philanthropy for the campus and raises money for working-student scholarships. A former race participant, Ewing continues to volunteer for the event.

Ewing has a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and political science, and a Master of Science degree in Kinesiology, both from Indiana University. He also graduated from the University of Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business executive management program.

Giving back to the community also is important to Ewing. He serves on several nonprofit boards and he and his wife, Vanessa, an optometrist, are active in Make-A-Wish Idaho. They both look forward to getting involved and being a part of the San Luis Obispo community. 

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