Vice president of University Advancement at the University of Central Arkansas and the president of the UCA Foundation Inc., Dr. Mary Bane Lackie, was named the 2025 Outstanding Fundraising Professional.

Lackie was named by the Arkansas Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), according to UCA News.

Lackie has 39 years of experience in higher education, and has worked with UCA since 2018.

“Her integrity, global perspective and genuine care for students and donors alike set her apart. She leads with strategy, compassion and collaboration, which have made her not only a successful fundraiser, but also a respected leader on campus and across higher education,” UCA President Houston Davis said.

“As vice president for University Advancement I serve on the president’s cabinet; I raise funds for UCA; I manage the Advancement Division with the following departments which report to me: UCA Foundation, University Marketing & Communications (UMAC), Alumni Affairs, Development and Advancement Services,” said Lackie. “I’m also the president of the UCA Foundation, and in that role I work closely with the Foundation Board of Directors, our investment manager and the Foundation staff to ensure that we are following best practices and stewarding the money given by donors to ensure it is being used according with the donors’ wishes.”

Lackie has affected UCA in many ways. 

“Fundraising leadership is critical to ensuring UCA has the resources to thrive for generations. Under Lackie’s direction, UCA has built the infrastructure to sustain growth while also achieving extraordinary results, including completing our first comprehensive campaign [UCA Now: Impact Arkansas and Beyond] early and surpassing the $100 million goal, reaching $124 million,” President Davis said. “Effective fundraising makes it possible to expand scholarships, support faculty excellence and invest in new initiatives that transform the student experience.”

The nonprofit organization, University of Central Arkansas Foundation Inc. is made to benefit the University, “Its mission is to fund the margin of excellence at UCA by securing and stewarding private gifts,” from UCA News.

“I’m very honored and it feels great [to have been named the 2025 Outstanding Fundraising Professional] but I also know that my success is not just mine alone. I have an amazing team, we have a wonderful university with great stories to tell for which to seek support, and we have great momentum as a university,” Lackie said.

Fundraising is something that is very important to Lackie.

“I love trying to ease the burden of students so that they don’t have to borrow any or as much in student loans to get their education. I believe education is economic development, and getting an education is good for students, their futures and their families’ futures,” said Lackie. “It is important work that is meaningful; I love being part of that and in a job that I can pour myself into. Also, donors are pretty amazing people.  I love being around people who want to help others whom they may never even meet. They want to pay it forward.”

Lackie will be recognized at the 43rd annual National Philanthropy Day Awards Luncheon on Nov. 6.