James Patterson, the world’s bestselling author, has donated $3 million to support the college’s transformative literacy initiatives aimed at doubling the number of students in Florida who can read proficiently.
Brian Danforth and Xan Anderson … a new look to the COE development team
New staff developments are evident in Development and Alumni Affairs at the UF College of Education, starting with the promotion of Brian Danforth as the new director of the combined DAA and News and Communications offices.
Danforth, who served as COE associate director of development for the past two years, replaces Maria Gutierrez Martin, who accepted a position in July with the UF Foundation after four years as COE’s senior director of DAA-NC.
M. Alexandria (“Xan”) Minton Anderson has been hired to replace Danforth in the role of assistant director of development. She worked for the past year as assistant director of development for the office of annual giving at the UF Foundation.
“Xan (pronounced “Zan”) brings us front-line and annual giving development experience, along with a great deal of energy, drive and passion for UF,” Danforth said. “I’m excited about her ability to strengthen and expand the relationships we have with our alumni and friends base.”
Anderson is a 2011 cum laude graduate of the University of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in food and resource economics. The Ft. Pierce, Fla., native also has a master of business administration degree from Rollins College, with concentrations in entrepreneurship, marketing and international business.
Anderson, whose mother, Misty Padrick Minton, is a 1981 science education graduate of the college, said she is “beyond excited” about her new job.
“The College of Education makes such a positive impact on our education system every day,” she said. “I am thrilled to work with such an incredible team and will give it everything I’ve got.”
Xan, a third-generation Gator, recently married Brian Anderson, who holds bachelor’s, master’s and juris doctor degrees from UF. She enjoys Gator football, baking, dancing, hunting, spending time with her family, and “anything on the water.”
Danforth is a South Carolina native with a strong background in college fundraising. He previously worked for three years as director of annual giving at Mars Hill College in North Carolina and four years in the same position at Texas Lutheran University in San Antonio. He later was named to the San Antonio Business Journal’s annual list of Top 40 Under 40 Rising Stars of San Antonio.
Danforth received his master’s degree in entrepreneurship from Western Carolina University in 2008 and has a bachelor’s in computer science from Mars Hill College.
He and his wife, La’Zendra, who is associate director of events in the UF Foundation’s alumni affairs office, have two boys, ages 3 and 2. Danforth says he enjoys playing drums, watching sports, spending time with his family and trying new restaurants.
“Brian has an excellent track record and he’s highly motivated,” COE Dean Glenn Good said. “He has his eye on the future and will continue building upon the solid foundation established by his predecessors.”
Contacts
Source: Brian Danforth, bdanforth@coe.ufl.edu; 352-273-4141
Source: Xan Anderson, xanderson@coe.ufl.edu; 352-273-4144
