For 34 years, LuAnn (Wolfe) Davis has served as Union’s vice president for Advancement, and this summer, she will take a well earned retirement, joining her husband, Lynn, who retired in 2024.
Under LuAnn’s leadership, Union experienced extraordinary growth made possible by the partnership of committed trustees, generous donors and a deeply dedicated Advancement team. Together, these efforts resulted in philanthropic support totaling nearly $118 million, strengthening the university’s mission and positioning Union for the future.
One of the most significant developments during this time was the intentional integration of planned giving into the work of the Advancement Office. Philanthropy became a truly comprehensive program — embracing current, deferred, and planned gifts. Through matured trusts and charitable gift annuities, Union received $3.1 million, with the current market value of gift annuities now totaling $1.2 million. In addition, $11.4 million was realized through wills and trusts — gifts that reflect deep confidence in Union’s mission and long-term impact.
The university’s endowment also saw remarkable growth, increasing from $1.7 million to $33.5 million today. This progress was driven by a strategic shift to broaden the purpose of the endowment beyond scholarships alone, establishing funds to support academic programs and essential operations alongside student support.
During this period, an active Alumni Association Board was re-established, providing meaningful leadership and partnership for the alumni office. For more than 30 years, this volunteer-driven group has played a vital role in fostering connection, pride and lifelong engagement among Union’s alumni.
LuAnn’s leadership also guided the successful completion of three major capital campaigns, resulting in the construction of the Ortner Center, the Krueger Center for Science and Mathematics, and the AdventHealth Complex Reiner Wellness Center — projects that continue to shape the daily experience of our students and campus community.
Between these campaigns, countless other projects strengthened Union in tangible ways. Campus renovations improved spaces such as Woods Auditorium, the Student Center, residence halls, classrooms, and 49ers Field. Investments were made in technology, debt was eliminated in the mid-1990s, and student experiences were enhanced through IRR disaster responses, mission trips, athletics, and a wide range of student programs. Together, these efforts reflect a legacy of stewardship, vision, and deep care for students — past, present, and future.
A retirement celebration will be held in the Reiner Wellness Center on Sunday, April 26, from 5:30 – 7 p.m., with dinner beginning at 6 p.m. The Advancement Office is collecting stories and and memories from alumni, colleagues and friends to compile for LuAnn. Please email your contributions to kandra.luke@uau.edu.
You may use the form below to make a gift in her honor to The Davis Tribute Fund for Student Scholarships, which will continue to help students as she has for 34 years as vice president.
“LuAnn, thank you. Thank you for your grace, for your professionalism, for the heartfelt commitment you’ve brought to Union. Your impact in our community has left a legacy of service, and will be felt for generations to come.”
— Yami Bazan, Union Adventist University president
“LuAnn’s remarkable superpower is the unique ability to connect with everyone, to remember everyone, and to care about what’s going on in people’s lives. When we criss-crossed the country together visiting alumni groups and raising funds for the Reiner Wellness Center, LuAnn truly loved and engaged with every alumnus we met, and her warmth, friendliness, and professionalism was wonderfully contagious and inspiring.
“This superpower fueled her fundraising success and she was courted by multiple hospital presidents who wanted to lure her away from Union. Thankfully for Union, she always turned them down, loving her alma mater the most and desiring to leave her legacy on the Union campus.
“And what a giant legacy it is— her longevity and dedication over three decades has produced countless renovations and projects, scholarships that touched thousands of student lives, and created three new buildings that have literally transformed Union’s entire campus map. LuAnn’s dedication is forever woven into the very fabric of Union and I am grateful to have partnered with this remarkable lady.”
— Vinita Sauder, president from 2015-2024
“LuAnn Davis was such a joy to work with. She was personable, fun, supportive and completely dedicated to Union’s mission. More than that, I consider her the very best in her field of work: fundraising. I was always impressed by how well organized and prepared she was for visits with donors. Her reports to the board were informative and inspiring. She was a blessing to Cherie and me, in our personal lives and often when we hosted others at our house or on campus. I consider it an honor to have worked with LuAnn as a colleague. I learned so much from her. I also consider it an honor and privilege to count her and Lynn as friends. May God bless them as they begin this new phase of their lives. On the university campus, they will be greatly missed.”
— David Smith, president from 1998-2011
“We had the privilege of knowing LuAnn both as a student and as a valued staff member, and have many good memories and so much appreciation for these interactions with LuAnn. She has served Union uncommonly and remarkably well, which we appreciate greatly given our own connections to the institution and the family of alumni, faculty, staff and students. Because Union is such a special place to us, we are deeply grateful for what LuAnn has done to make this institution a great and successful one. Congratulations and all best wishes to you upon your retirement and the next phase of your life!”
— John Wagner, president from 1986-1991 and 2011-2014, and Lilya Wagner, vice president for institutional advancement from 1986-1991
“My memories of LuAnn keep surfacing as I reflect on the many years we worked together. It has been quite a journey. I can hardly imagine Union without LuAnn’s leadership, yet I know fundraising and friend-raising will continue through the legacy she leaves behind.”
— Linda Skinner, a 34-year veteran of the Advancement Office who retired in 2018