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Madden appointed Director of Development
by Abby Simons
 bbot
Gregory Polan has appointed Dan Madden, director of communications, to
head the Conception Abbey Development Office.
Madden, 36, succeeds Conception Seminary College alumnus Tim Stransky,
who left Conception in July to become vice president of institutional
advancement at Mount Marty College in Yankton, S.D.
Interim Director Father Allan Stetz, will return to directing the Office
of Major and Planned Gifts.
A native of nearby Stanberry who came to Conception in 1999, Madden said
his apprenticeship under Stransky, Father Allan and Brother Mark Kosiba,
former director of major and planned gifts, was excellent preparation
for his new role. “I look forward to building on the very successful
development program established by Tim,” he said. “He put together a
gifted and extremely hard-working staff. I doubt there are many sports
teams that can rival its teamwork. And Conception is blessed with some
of the most generous and loyal benefactors I’ve ever seen.”
Madden’s appointment was part of a restructuring of the development
office. Along with his new duties, he will continue editing Tower Topics
and directing all communications for the abbey and seminary college.
Longtime office manager Cindy Staten will work closely with Madden as
director of annual funds, with assistance from Elaine Smith. Graphic
artist Gail Moore shoulders more communication responsibilities as
associate director of communications. Father Peter Ullrich continues as
alumni director.
The changes come at a crucial time as the abbey and seminary enter the
final ‘Signature Phase’ of the A Living Tradition campaign. Pointing to
Madden’s knowledge of Conception Abbey and the skills he has
demonstrated as director of communications, Abbot Gregory said he is
confident Madden will “hit the ground running.”
“Dan has an engaging and warm personality,” the Abbot said. “He meets
people easily and he represents Conception well, which is important to
our mission of hospitality.”
Father Benedict Neenan, president-rector of Conception Seminary College,
said Madden has proven himself capable on a number of occasions; namely,
through his development of Tower Topics and his work
in the aftermath of the June 10, 2002 shootings at the abbey.
“The main work of development is cultivating friendships with others and
serving them in their needs,” Father Benedict said. “I think Dan’s
youthfulness, but also his love for Conception, makes him a very fine
representative.”
Madden, who grew up just nine miles from Conception and whose mother
Carol is the abbey’s assistant director of health services, was a member
of the Conception Abbey Boys’ Choir. He came to Conception five years
ago from Seattle where he was editor of the Catholic Northwest Progress,
the newspaper of the Archdiocese of Seattle. “It is an honor to work for
the monks of Conception Abbey,” he said. “They’ve shown me hospitality,
compassion and kindness. I treasure my friendship with this community.”
Abbot Gregory said the feeling is mutual: “Dan has always shared a
certain closeness with the abbey, but those ties have only grown deeper,
especially since the events of June 10, 2002. He walked with us through
a very difficult time, and that sort of experience has an impact on a
person's life. It speaks volumes for why we've asked him to step into
this position."
Madden currently lives in Savannah, Mo. with his wife, Patrice, director
of development at St. Joseph Cathedral Parish and School in St. Joseph;
and their four children, Jacob, Annie, Joseph and Emily.
We welcome your comments:
communications@conception.edu
www.conceptionabbey.org
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