They all said it came out of nowhere. Dawn Bulone, University of Memphis president of Advancement Services in the Advancement Division, died June 2 of a heart attack after collapsing at work. She was 42.
"It was a very unexpected death," said Julie Johnson, vice president for advancement.
With The U of M little more than a year, Bulone reorganized the Advancement Services Department, which is in charge of everything that has to do with the alumni. She also created a program that enabled the department to be able to keep track of fund-raising on a daily, weekly and yearly basis, among other things.
"Dawn was well-known locally as a research leader," Johnson said.
Before working at The University, Bulone worked as a senior researcher for the American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities (ALSAC), which is the fundraising division of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Altogether she had 19 years of experience.
"Her exceptional knowledge and experience in prospect research encompassed all the data book stewardship. (She kept) good records," Johnson said.
Bulone was also a key member of the technology conversion that is currently taking place at The U of M.
Besides her many accomplishments, she held none so dear to her than her husband Daniel Bulone and their 6-year-old son, Michael.
"She would talk about him (her son) all the time. She loved him very much," said Teresa Wampler, executive assistant to the president.
"She was a devoted parent, very interested in her son's life," Johnson said. Besides her husband and son, she leaves one sister, two brothers and her parents.
Johnson said Bulone will be missed by all.
"I think she was a marvelous person, excellent at what she did. We will do our relative best to honor the great contributions she made in such a short time," Johnson said.
No decision has been made on her replacement.
