About Rosemary Thomas

Rosemary Thomas serves as the President of the Community Care of West Virginia, Inc. Board of Directors.

Rosemary Michelle Thomas, director of The American Legion Auxiliary WV Rhododendron Girls State, was born and raised in West Virginia. She previously served as the Executive Vice President at Davis & Elkins College following her promotion from Vice President for Enrollment Management and Institutional Advancement.  She is a graduate of Clemson University and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Communications.  She received her Masters of Public Administration from the University of South Carolina, Doctorate in Educational Leadership from West Virginia University and completed post-doctoral work at Harvard University. 
 
Rosemary grew up in a family that taught her public service was not an option but a responsibility.  She has always been active with community, state and national organizations.  She recently served as Chief Operating Officer of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs in Washington, D.C. Other affiliations include the American Cancer Society, Rotary, United Way, Quota International, Destination Imagination and Odyssey of the Mind, Kiwanis and Toastmasters. As part of the Randolph County community, Thomas has become involved with Rotary, Elkins Main Street, Project Life Change and various other organizations.
 
Before leading GFWC for three years in Washington, Dr. Thomas enjoyed a 25-year career in higher education and institutional advancement which began when she was a student at Clemson University.  She worked on the school’s centennial capital campaign and celebration activities and later served as a presidential intern and special events coordinator in the President’s Home and for the Office of Institutional Advancement. 
 
She was named Alumni Director at Fairmont State College and progressed through the ranks as director of development and associate vice president.  She served as Vice President for Advancement at Glenville State College in West Virginia.  Thomas led a record-breaking campaign during a time of significant campus growth and building as Vice President and Executive Director of the Foundation at Salisbury University in Maryland.  She expanded her service years in public higher education with vice presidencies at both Florida Gulf Coast University and Frostburg State University with keenly successful fund raising, marketing, enrollment management and government relations activities.  
 
Dr. Thomas was named one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women by The Daily Record. She and her team at Salisbury University received a CASE Award for Overall Improvement in Fund Raising. She has led the charge to secure major and principal gifts, totaling well over $250M for capital projects, scholarships and program development.  She served as a founding member of Salisbury’s Town Gown Council and served on the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.  She worked closely with the Women’s Fund of South West Florida in the development of their fund raising and marketing strategy.
 
She is a nationally recognized speaker and workshop leader on board relations, volunteer management, fund raising and marketing strategies. Her focus on leadership development remains a key aspect of her life’s work with leaders of all ages and from all walks of life.