President Lambert announces new staff assignments

Elon University President Leo M. Lambert has appointed Sara Paden Peterson as the director of stewardship in the Office of Institutional Advancement. In her new role, Peterson will oversee communications with and recognition of supporters of the university.
   
Peterson has been a member of the president’s office staff since 1996, most recently serving as senior assistant to the president and secretary to the board of trustees. She served as Elon’s director of corporate and foundation relations from 1993 to 1996.
   
“Sara’s experience, skill and grace will be a tremendous asset for Elon as we prepare for the university’s upcoming major campaign,” Lambert said. “The strong relationships she has built with Elon’s most generous and dedicated supporters through her work in the president’s office make her a perfect fit for this important work.”
   
Peterson graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in English from Moravian College, Bethlehem, Penn., and a master’s degree from Rutgers, the State University, New Brunswick, N.J.

   
Joining the president’s office as senior assistant to the president and secretary to the board of trustees is Lisa A. Purtz, a 2003 Elon alumna who received her law degree from Stetson University College of Law in December 2007. Purtz served as Elon’s assistant director of admissions/admissions counselor from 2003 to 2005.
   
“Lisa’s success in law school, and her previous work at Elon have prepared her well for this position,” Lambert said. “She will be working closely with senior staff members and coordinating the daily activities and strategic planning of the Office of the President.”
   
Purtz graduated magna cum laude from Stetson, earning several academic honors and serving as vice president of the Family Law Society. She was a Guardian ad Litem volunteer in St. Petersburg, Fla.
   
Purtz graduated magna cum laude from Elon with a business administration degree and was an Honors Fellow, Jefferson-Pilot Business Fellow and recipient of the J. Earl Danieley Leadership Award. She was also the president of Phi Mu Fraternity and vice president of the Financial Management Association.