Mary Kate Skelton. Submitted photo
New position will work closely with development office
Two Ole Miss Alumni Association staff members have accepted new roles within the organization.
Mary Kate Skelton will be the alumni fundraising director, a new position. Savannah Dye was hired as assistant director.
“Mary Kate and Savannah have both been tremendous assets to the alumni association, and I’m excited to see them grow in their new roles,” said Kirk Purdom, the association’s chief executive officer. “Their great initiative and work ethic, combined with their existing experience on our staff, will continue to serve alumni and friends well.”
Skelton joined the association’s staff in June 2022 as assistant director, working as the alumni liaison for the University of Mississippi Patterson School of Accountancy, School of Business Administration, and School of Pharmacy.
In her new role, Skelton will remain in the alumni office but work closely with the Office of Development. Her focus will be on raising money to build a new Triplett Alumni Center and on projects needed throughout The Inn at Ole Miss.
Skelton received a bachelor’s degree in integrated marketing communications from the UM School of Journalism and New Media in 2018 and a Master of Business Administration from Mississippi State University in 2021. As an undergraduate, she was captain of the women’s soccer team.
Before joining the alumni association staff, Smith served as a business account executive for Howard Technology Solutions.
Dye, who joined the association’s staff in 2021, will fill Skelton’s previous role as assistant director. She will work with the schools of Accountancy, Business Administration and Pharmacy on their engagement efforts, such as reunions and Hall of Fame awards. Besides these responsibilities, Dye will work with various constituency groups to provide engagement services.
She previously served as a special events assistant before being promoted to club coordinator, where she worked with alumni clubs outside Mississippi to coordinate events, such as meetings, game watch parties and summer picnics.
She received a bachelor’s degree in integrated marketing communications and a master’s degree in hospitality management. As an undergraduate, she was a Rebelette and member of Delta Gamma fraternity.
