Frederick A. Pettit, J.D.

Frederick A. Pettit, J.D., began serving as La Salle’s Vice President of University Advancement in November 2023. Pettit brings over 20 years of experience that includes effective fundraising and alumni engagement.

In his role at La Salle, Pettit provides strategic leadership for the University’s fundraising programs, alumni and parent relations efforts, and corporate and foundation. He is also involved with coordinating the University’s strategies to engage with elected officials and government agencies. As a member of the President’s cabinet, Pettit leads the planning and execution of a comprehensive fundraising program in support of the University-wide strategic plan, Ascend 2028.

He came to La Salle from King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., where he had served as Vice President for Institutional Advancement since 2011. During his tenure, he led the development and implementation of the College’s most successful fundraising campaign, raising more than $43 million from private philanthropy and $9.8 million from government grants that exceeded a stretch goal of $50 million. Additionally, Pettit also spearheaded strategies to grow alumni involvement that took participation in the College’s homecoming celebration, a top alumni engagement event, from 50 to 650-plus attendees in one year and then 1,000-plus participants in succeeding years.

Prior to his tenure at King’s College, Pettit was an attorney at two Philadelphia law firms and focused on insurance recovery, employment litigation, and corporate litigation. Early in his career, he served as assistant district attorney in the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office.

Pettit earned his Juris Doctor from Temple University’s James E. Beasley School of Law and his Bachelor of Arts in political science from King’s College. He is active in community service, currently holding board positions at Westrick Music Academy in Princeton Junction, N.J., and Leadership Northeast in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.