William J. Bales

William J. "Joe" Bales, is the Vice President for University Advancement at MTSU. With 30 years’ experience in fundraising and institutional advancement, he leads the University's efforts in development, alumni relations, corporate engagement and governmental relations. Fundraising activities at the University have more than doubled during Bales’ tenure.

Under his leadership, MTSU raised more than $105 million in the Centennial Campaign, surpassing the $80 million goal set when the effort was announced in 2012. The $105,465,308 raised during the campaign, which concluded Dec. 31, 2015, represents the largest fundraising effort in University history, surpassing a $30 million campaign mark set in 2001.

Bales came to MTSU in 2002 from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, where he spent nearly 15 years in a variety of development and alumni affairs roles. Immediately prior to coming to MTSU, Bales served for more than five years as Assistant Vice President for Corporate Relations. In that role, he was responsible for developing cultivation and solicitation plans for more than 30 major corporations - and providing leadership to all appropriate colleges and constituent development offices. His accomplishments included the creation of a formal corporate partnership plan, the development of an annual-giving blueprint and the launching of an "executive briefing" newsletter for the campus.

Earlier, from 1993 to 1997, Bales was director of development for the UT’s College of Engineering. During that time, he directed the college's 21st Century Campaign that raised more than $34 million in gifts and pledges from alumni, friends and corporations. The annual average for total giving increased from $2 million to $4.5 million. He also developed a tracking/management system for the college's gift funds composed of more than 200 gift accounts and a $15 million endowment. Before that, Bales served for four years as associate director of institutional advancement for the university's Institute of Agriculture, then later became director of development.

He earned Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in agriculture from UT-Knoxville and served as a graduate teaching assistant and as an instructor in the Department of Animal Science.