MOBILE -- The former chief alumni and development officer for two major universities and current president of the nation’s most comprehensive education and service institution for the sensory impaired has been tapped to lead the University of South Alabama’s alumni and development efforts.

Dr. Joseph F. Busta has been named vice president for development and alumni relations at USA effective July 1, President V. Gordon Moulton has announced.

“Private giving and alumni involvement have never been more important to the growth and development of public universities, allowing us to provide an even greater margin of excellence in teaching, research, service and health care,” said Moulton.

“Dr. Busta brings a wealth of experience gained at three high-quality educational institutions that have flourished in part through the power of philanthropy and alumni commitment.”

“It's clear that America's public urban universities will lead the way in providing the programs and resources necessary for our cities and states to grow and prosper in the 21st century,” Busta added.

“The University of South Alabama has had a miraculous impact on the Mobile region and is poised for even greater service by providing graduates for the jobs of tomorrow, research to solve our pressing problems, and the programs necessary to improve our health, support the arts, shape our society, and improve our quality of life. I look forward to helping USA to acquire the resources and increase the alumni involvement that is vital in achieving these goals.”

Busta, 55, has served for nine years as president of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind in Talladega, the world's most comprehensive education and rehabilitation system serving children and adults who are deaf, blind and multi-disabled. The institute offers residential programs for people aged 3 to 21, a two-year technical school for sensory impaired adults, work opportunities, and a network of eight regional centers across the state that serve people throughout their lives. As president, Busta has overseen all operations, including directing the institution’s fundraising efforts.

Prior to assuming his current post in 1993, Busta served three years as vice president for advancement at Auburn University, where he oversaw the University’s fundraising efforts, national alumni association and foundation. He laid the groundwork for a $175 million national fundraising campaign and produced record annual giving each year.

Before joining Auburn in 1990, Busta was vice president for development and alumni affairs for the University of South Florida in Tampa, where he served 19 years in progressively responsible positions including director of student organizations, assistant to the president, director of university relations, vice president for university relations, and executive director of the USF Foundation.

Busta graduated in pre-law from Auburn University in 1969. He holds a master’s in college student personnel services from the University of Tennessee and a doctorate in higher education administration from the University of Florida.

Busta is a former chair of the Council on University Relations and Development of the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges and former chair of the Southern Region of the National Association of Foreign Student Affairs. He has served on the Commission on Philanthropy of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. He is a member of Leadership Alabama and in 1996 was appointed by the governor to serve as chair of the Alabama Interagency Coordinating Council for services to children with disabilities and their families.

In his new post, Busta will be the senior executive responsible for coordination and direction of all university-wide development and alumni relations programs.

Founded in 1963, the University of South Alabama has graduated more than 48,000 alumni and currently enrolls 12,400 students. The comprehensive university offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees and a broad range of research and service programs. USA operates three hospitals and a physicians practice through its College of Medicine.