Donald McQuade, Vice Chancellor, University Relations

Donald A. McQuade is vice chancellor for University Relations at the University of California, Berkeley. He is responsible for all programs that strengthen relations with alumni, parents, and friends of the University, including development, public affairs, and government affairs. In this role, he serves as president of the UC Berkeley Foundation, a $400 million not-for-profit corporation that raises, invests, and administers private gift funds for the campus. He was responsible for leading Berkeley’s Campaign for the New Century, which came to a successful conclusion in 2001 and raised $1.44 billion.

A highly respected member of Berkeley’s English faculty since 1986, Professor McQuade held several senior administrative posts prior to assuming the vice chancellorship in 1999. Most recently, he served as acting vice provost for the 1997–98 academic year. As dean of Undergraduate and Interdisciplinary Studies in the College of Letters & Science from 1989–95, he conceived and developed the Undergraduate Research Apprentice Program and was the founding dean and a member of the faculty of the American Studies program. A great advocate of the arts on campus, Professor McQuade served from 1993–95 as acting chair of the Department of Dramatic Art.

On the national level, McQuade serves on several foundation and nonprofit boards. In addition, he has written, edited, and co-edited many books on writing, American literature, American culture, and advertising. He frequently is interviewed by journalists on the issues of advertising, writing, and literacy. In addition to his academic achievements, McQuade was a member of the national championship teams in swimming and water polo and was an international and Olympic-certified water polo referee.

Professor McQuade received his MA and PhD from Rutgers University.