DURHAM — University of New Hampshire officials have announced that Deborah Dutton has been named vice president for advancement and president of the UNH Foundation, effective Sept. 1.

Dutton most recently served as vice president for development and alumni relations at Colby College.

During her six-year tenure at Colby she also had served as campaign director and led the school’s largest fundraising effort, the Reaching the World campaign, which surpassed its goal to raise $376 million when it concluded in 2010.

Dutton led efforts to revamp gift planning, major gifts and the annual fund. As vice president at Colby, she created a five-year philanthropic plan in support of 2013 fundraising initiatives.

Dutton’s career in development began at the Maine chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. She has held development positions in major gifts and management at three Harvard teaching hospitals since then, including the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston Children’s Hospital and the Joslin Diabetes Center.

Dutton earned a bachelor of arts degree in journalism from the University of Maine and a master of science degree in business management from Lesley College.

“UNH is a wonderful institution, and I am honored to represent it in this way,” Dutton said. “I am a strong believer in public higher education and in the mission of the land-grant colleges. State institutions like my alma mater and UNH make it possible for students from almost any background to get an excellent education. This is motivating and inspiring to me.”

Dutton said she is eager to partner with the UNH community to increase alumni, parent and community engagement.

“Over the course of her career, Debbie has demonstrated that she is a strong leader with the experience we at the University of New Hampshire need in order to continue building our efforts in fundraising, alumni engagement and communications,” UNH President Mark Huddleston said. “It is clear that she not only has the vision and the strategic sense that are essential to this work, she also possesses the rare personal qualities that will enable her to galvanize our dedicated volunteer and professional teams to successfully achieve our shared ambitions.”

gmacalaster@newstote.com