Twin Cities Professional Named Gustavus Vice President for College Relations

Gwendolyn Freed, noted for her work at Best Buy Corporation and the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies, has been named Vice President for College Relations at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minn. In her new position, Freed will lead the college’s strategic communication efforts and oversee the division of college relations. She will drive efforts in marketing, public relations, media relations, online and print communications, special events, fine arts promotion, sports information, and internal communications. She will begin her duties Dec. 18, 2006.

Freed, who comes to Gustavus from Best Buy, has a background in corporate and higher education communications, journalism, fund development, and nonprofit leadership. In her role as Senior Community Relations Specialist, her chief responsibilities were corporate communications and Twin Cities grant making through the Best Buy Children’s Fund.

Previously, Freed was the Executive Director of the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies, where she led a strategic-planning initiative that resulted in financial stability, artistic success, and fruitful community partnerships. As a Major Gifts Officer at the Minnesota Orchestra, she contributed to the design and launch of a $55 million capital campaign. Her journalism background is extensive. As a staff reporter for the Minneapolis Star Tribune, she wrote about business and the arts. Her freelance work has been published in The Wall Street Journal, New York Newsday and The Detroit News. She served as Editor-in-Chief of Chamber Music Magazine and is the author of Musician’s Resource (1997), a guide to educational programs.

Gustavus President Jim Peterson said, “We are thrilled that Gwendolyn Freed has accepted our invitation to join us in this new position that will help to propel Gustavus into a new future. She has proven to be an effective leader and she will play a vital role in helping us meet our strategic goals—especially as they relate to the recruitment and retention of students and meeting our fund-raising objectives. I am delighted to have a person of her expertise and experience on our team.”

Freed commented, “I am eager to work for President Jim Peterson, the senior leadership team, and the entire Gustavus community. The institution has a long and rich history of achievement, and I greatly admire its commitment to the ideals of academic excellence, community, justice, service, and faith.”

Freed is completing a master’s degree program in public and nonprofit leadership and management as a Thomas Swain Fellow at the University of Minnesota’s Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs. She is a past Fellow in the Graduate School of Journalism at Columbia University. She holds a master’s degree in music from The Julliard School in New York and a bachelor’s degree in music from Oberlin College in Ohio.

Volunteerism is important to Freed. She is a board member and former lay counselor for Crisis Connection, a Twin Cities mental health agency. She is a longtime member of the Oberlin College Alumni Association, now serving on its executive board and chairing its communications committee.

Freed is married to Kenneth Freed, a violist for the Minnesota Orchestra and Music Director of the Mankato Symphony Orchestra. They live in Edina, Minn., with their three children.