The University of Mississippi Athletics
Denson Hollis Joins Ole Miss Athletics Foundation Leadership
10/16/2020 | UMAAF, Athletics
Former UM Office of Development Executive Director of Principal Gifts Joins OMAF Staff
OXFORD, Miss. – The Ole Miss Athletics Foundation has strengthened its leadership with the addition of Denson Hollis as Chief Development Officer/Associate A.D. for Development, it was announced Friday.
Hollis is a 12-year fundraising veteran for the University of Mississippi, joining the UM Office of Development in 2009. Most recently, Hollis served as the Executive Director of Principal Gifts, where he was responsible for establishing the first-ever principal gifts program at Ole Miss. His mission in the Principal Gifts program was to create philanthropic collaboration amongst all areas of the University, including academics, athletics, alumni and the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
"We are thrilled to have Denson join the Ole Miss Athletics Foundation," said Fowler Staines, OMAF Chief Executive Officer/Chief Financial Officer. "Denson has an outstanding track record as a fundraiser for Ole Miss. We are excited to see his skillset, passion for our institution and leadership abilities on display as we continue to fulfill our mission of providing for opportunities for our student-athletes and pushing Ole Miss Athletics to new heights."
"This is an incredible opportunity to combine my professional talent with my biggest passion," Hollis said. "Ole Miss Athletics has been a central part of my life since I was a child growing up in Clarksdale. My late father, Fred Hollis, was a tight end on the football team here, so my childhood included regularly attending games with my parents and grandparents."
"Like so many others, I grew to be even more of a Rebel fan during my college experience at Ole Miss."
Hollis said through his development work he has built relationships with alumni and friends across the country and gained a unique perspective on their passions.
"Through my 12 years of work at UM Development, it became even more clear just how much all members of the Ole Miss family value the success of our teams and student-athletes," he said. "I'm honored to continue my work with our generous donors to take Ole Miss Athletics to even greater heights of excellence in the SEC and far beyond."
Hollis worked extensively with the College of Liberal Arts during his tenure at the university though his fundraising efforts have touched almost every corner of campus, including securing major gifts for every school on campus and numerous cultural arts areas.
In his career, Hollis has raised $35.5 million, including more than $2 million for Ole Miss Athletics, visiting alumni in 43 different states along the way. The 2020 fiscal year was Hollis's best yet as a fundraiser, securing $8.9 million in gifts for the university.
Hollis earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Ole Miss in 2001 and a master's degree in sport management from Georgia Southern in 2004.
Hollis lives in Oxford with his wife, Lauren, a 2004 Ole Miss alumna with a bachelor's degree in family and consumer sciences, and their three daughters, Eloise (7), Marian (5) and Vivi (2). Denson is a third-generation Ole Miss alumnus and is one of 18 people in his immediate and extended family to attend Ole Miss.
Hollis is a 12-year fundraising veteran for the University of Mississippi, joining the UM Office of Development in 2009. Most recently, Hollis served as the Executive Director of Principal Gifts, where he was responsible for establishing the first-ever principal gifts program at Ole Miss. His mission in the Principal Gifts program was to create philanthropic collaboration amongst all areas of the University, including academics, athletics, alumni and the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
"We are thrilled to have Denson join the Ole Miss Athletics Foundation," said Fowler Staines, OMAF Chief Executive Officer/Chief Financial Officer. "Denson has an outstanding track record as a fundraiser for Ole Miss. We are excited to see his skillset, passion for our institution and leadership abilities on display as we continue to fulfill our mission of providing for opportunities for our student-athletes and pushing Ole Miss Athletics to new heights."
"This is an incredible opportunity to combine my professional talent with my biggest passion," Hollis said. "Ole Miss Athletics has been a central part of my life since I was a child growing up in Clarksdale. My late father, Fred Hollis, was a tight end on the football team here, so my childhood included regularly attending games with my parents and grandparents."
"Like so many others, I grew to be even more of a Rebel fan during my college experience at Ole Miss."
Hollis said through his development work he has built relationships with alumni and friends across the country and gained a unique perspective on their passions.
"Through my 12 years of work at UM Development, it became even more clear just how much all members of the Ole Miss family value the success of our teams and student-athletes," he said. "I'm honored to continue my work with our generous donors to take Ole Miss Athletics to even greater heights of excellence in the SEC and far beyond."
Hollis worked extensively with the College of Liberal Arts during his tenure at the university though his fundraising efforts have touched almost every corner of campus, including securing major gifts for every school on campus and numerous cultural arts areas.
In his career, Hollis has raised $35.5 million, including more than $2 million for Ole Miss Athletics, visiting alumni in 43 different states along the way. The 2020 fiscal year was Hollis's best yet as a fundraiser, securing $8.9 million in gifts for the university.
Hollis earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Ole Miss in 2001 and a master's degree in sport management from Georgia Southern in 2004.
Hollis lives in Oxford with his wife, Lauren, a 2004 Ole Miss alumna with a bachelor's degree in family and consumer sciences, and their three daughters, Eloise (7), Marian (5) and Vivi (2). Denson is a third-generation Ole Miss alumnus and is one of 18 people in his immediate and extended family to attend Ole Miss.
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