Findlay, Ohio, Aug. 7, 2003—Richard “Dick” Strahm has been appointed to serve as a special ambassador to friends and supporters of The University of Findlay by President DeBow Freed.

“I am pleased to have this opportunity, which will enable me to contact friends and supporters of the University who I have known for a long time. I love The University of Findlay and want to see it do well. I believe I can make a major contribution in that regard. I will work closely with the Office of Development, with President Freed and with others at the University to further its best interests,” Strahm said.

Strahm will serve as a consultant on major gifts. Previously, he was a special assistant to the president from 1999 until November 2001 when he assumed the duties of vice president for institutional advancement.

He was head coach of the Oilers football team for 24 years from 1975 until 1999, leading the Oilers to four NAIA national championships and 14 league championships. He holds the record as the only coach to receive NAIA Coach of the Year honors four times.

In a career filled with accolades, Strahm was inducted into the Rawlings/NAIA Football Hall of Fame, Libbey High School Hall of Fame, UF Athletic Hall of Fame, Hancock Sports Hall of Fame, Toledo City Athletic Hall of Fame and Toledo Chapter National Football Foundation Hall of Fame. He was named Citizen of the Year in 1985 by the Findlay Civitan Club and received the Others Award from the Salvation Army in Findlay in 1998.

Strahm graduated from The University of Toledo with both a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in administration. He held coaching positions at Lakota, Bryan and Warren Western Reserve high schools and served as defensive coordinator at UT and defensive backfield coach at Kansas State University prior to coming to Findlay.

“Coach Strahm has served The University of Findlay faithfully for 28 years. His love for and devotion to Findlay is widely recognized. He knows thousands of friends and supporters who are associated with the University. He is uniquely prepared to share with them views on the University and what their support can mean to the future of the University,” said President Freed.

Edward F. Hyland, Ph.D., will manage the University’s fundraising activities, alumni and parent relations, and university relations. His appointment as consultant on development at UF is effective immediately.

He served as vice president for institutional advancement at Heidelberg College from 1997-03. Hyland has prior experience as organizational development specialist and educational applications and training consultant with Zeller Investment Company from 1996-97. He served at The Defiance College from 1980-96 in a number of capacities, including dean of students, vice president for administration, vice president for development and executive vice president for administration.

He has been active in the Defiance community in United Way, the YMCA, the Board of Litter Control and the Chamber of Commerce. Hyland received the Presidential Recognition Award from the United Way of Defiance County in 1987, The Defiance College Outstanding Administrator Award in 1988 and the Circle of Excellence in Fund Raising Award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education for The Defiance College in 1993.

A graduate of Heidelberg College, Hyland earned a master of education degree from Bowling Green State University and a doctorate in higher education administration and supervision from The University of Toledo.