Mary Wilford-Hunt to retire from Lafayette College
Mary Wilford-Hunt
Mary Wilford-Hunt, Senior Associate Director of Corporate, Foundation, and Government Relations, will retire from Lafayette College on December 31. Her distinguished tenure includes several senior leadership roles—most notably Director of Facilities Planning and Construction. Over more than thirty years in the design and construction industry, Mary has helped shape the physical and academic landscape of Lafayette in ways that will be felt for generations.
A registered architect and a LEED-accredited professional, Mary brought expertise and deep commitment to sustainability to every project she touched. She led many of the College’s most significant capital initiatives, including removing roadways from the Quad to restore it as a central green space, the construction of the Williams Arts Campus, the creation of Oechsle Center for Global Education, and renovations across dozens of campus buildings. Her leadership also resulted in the College’s first Climate Action Plan and its first LEED-certified facility, Grossman House.
In Advancement, Mary has been an invaluable partner—pursuing major grants, expanding corporate engagement, and strengthening government relationships to support capital priorities and institutional initiatives. Her work helped secure millions of dollars in funding, directly enriching the student and faculty experience.
Mary’s impact extends beyond construction and fundraising. For 15 years, she shared her knowledge and passion for design with students as a member of the Engineering Division faculty—an aspect of her work she will continue in retirement. Her commitment to service is equally impressive, with contributions to organizations such as the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation, the Lehigh Valley Sustainability Network, and ProJeCt Easton, as well as leadership roles with professional and educational boards.
Mary’s career at Lafayette reflects a rare combination of technical expertise, strategic insight, and genuine care for the people and programs she supported. Her influence can be seen in Lafayette buildings, felt in classrooms, and appreciated in the countless students, faculty, and colleagues who have benefited from her guidance and generosity of spirit.
The Advancement Division is currently conducting a search through Aspen Leadership Group to fill the role of Executive Director for Corporate, Foundation, and Government Relations. Once that position has been filled, we will begin the search for Mary’s successor.
In the interim, inquiries can be directed to Valerie Downing, Associate Vice President for Individual Giving, at downingv@lafayette.edu or 610-330-5835, or to Anne Crisafulli, Advancement Specialist, at crisafan@lafayette.edu or 610-330-5013.