Jon Schemmel
Vice President for Institutional Advancement
After playing baseball for the University of Minnesota and Concordia University, St. Paul, Jon Schemmel joined the New York Mets and San Diego Padres, making it to the AAA level.
Now, he’s the new Vice President for Institutional Advancement at DSU.
Once his baseball career came to an end, Schemmel transitioned into the world of higher education as the senior associate athletic director for development at the University of South Dakota (USD).
While at USD, he led all aspects of athletic development, which resulted in building the new Sanford Coyote Sports Center, soccer and track complexes, while also tripling the annual fund. He was able to raise several million dollars for the DakotaDome renovation project before leaving for Miami University in Oxford, OH. At Miami, he oversaw all aspects of athletic development while successfully completing the $80 million Graduating Champions campaign and launched the newly established Miami Athletic Fund (MAF).
“I’ve had many opportunities to build teams and promote a collaborative environment,” he said, “Athletics has prepared me for my new role because of how similar their fundraising and revenue techniques are. I’m excited to implement these factors.”
Schemmel, who is from Eden Prairie, MN, has made a jump start on the goals he hopes to instill at Dakota State’s Foundation and Alumni Association.
Such goals include leading all aspects of development and engagement, in addition to creating relationships with both internal and external individuals, the Madison community, corporate partners, donors and investors, as well as alumni and the student body.
“I want to create a culture of philanthropy and build a Foundation and Alumni Association that everyone is proud of, as well as form and continue the great relationships that will lead to significant investments at DSU and President Griffiths’ vision for the future,” he stated.
He also plans to continue fostering the collaborative environment amongst faculty and staff within the various departments at Dakota State, to further promote the greater good of the institution.
Other opportunities he’s excited for?
Being back in Madison.
Schemmel has close ties to the area, as his grandparents, Bud and Marcia Wenk, live one block from the DSU campus. His grandmother even served on the DSU Foundation Board. His parents also grew up in Madison and graduated from the Madison High School.
“The timing was right for our family to come home. Having the opportunity to further promote the growth and vision President Griffiths has created is incredible. Dakota State University is truly poised to build something special.”