NORMA SINTE – QUEEN’S DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT AND ALUMNI RELATIONS – ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT 
8 March 2019
After 19 successful years at Queen’s University Belfast, Norma Sinte – Director of Development and Alumni Relations since 2008 – has announced that she is to retire on 31 March.
During a distinguished tenure at Queen’s, Norma helped to direct over £165m to support facilities, research and education via the University's Foundation. Through a number of key capital fundraising projects she contributed to the transformation of the campus, which now offers an extensive range of world-class facilities. Through philanthropy, the student experience has also been improved, positively affecting the lives of over 114,000 individuals and widening access to education for disadvantaged young people from across Northern Ireland.
As a fundraiser, Norma secured crucial resources which enabled academics to address global challenges and support students across the University. And over the 19 year period, which has seen the alumni network double in size, Norma has ensured that new digital technologies have been optimised to provide graduates with a vastly enhanced level of communications.
Originally from Ballymena, and a former pupil of Cambridge House, Norma graduated from Queen’s in 1976 with a BA in French and German. She spent the early part of her career in the private sector in sales and marketing in Northern Ireland, Great Britain and Europe, followed by a spell as Marketing and Development Manager at the Ulster Orchestra before moving to her alma mater.
Nurturing relationships
Joining Queen’s in 2000 as Head of Corporate and Major Gifts Fundraising under the then Director, Áine Gibbons with whom she worked on the Campaign for Queen’s, Norma became Deputy Director in 2006 before taking up the post of Director of Development and Alumni Relations two years later.
Norma was part of a team that successfully ran two major back-to-back fundraising campaigns, managing the planning and implementation of the most recent Beyond Campaign, which – in conjunction with the University – raised £140m. Over the years she worked on major projects such as the refurbishment of the Great Hall, the building and opening of the McClay Library, the expansion of the University’s medical campus and on Riddel Hall, which is now home to Queen’s School of Management and an award-winning conference venue.
As part of the senior management team she helped place Queen’s at the forefront of universities in the UK and Ireland.
“While I look forward to my retirement, I will miss being part of a team dedicated to providing exceptional support to the University, its staff and students, working closely with Queen’s Foundation Board, and nurturing our relationships with donors, graduate associations, volunteers, the wider Queen’s alumni community and the many friends of the University,” said Norma.
“During my time at Queen’s it was my privilege to serve under one Director, four Vice-Chancellors, three Chancellors, four Foundation Chairs and one Registrar, all of whom were outstanding individuals.
“I am very proud of the achievements of my team. These achievements have impacted – and will continue to impact – on generations of students and staff at Queen’s and ultimately will change the lives of so many people in Northern Ireland and beyond.”
Compelling vision
One of those Vice-Chancellor’s, Professor Sir George Bain (1998–2004), endorsed Norma’s personal impact. “Successful fundraising requires the ability to communicate, both orally and in writing, a compelling vision that donors are keen to support. Norma has demonstrated over the past nineteen years at Queen’s that she has that ability,” said Sir George.
“Working with me on a variety of projects including the refurbishment of the Great Hall, the Seamus Heaney Centre for Poetry, Queen’s Elms Student Village, and the McClay Library and with subsequent Vice-Chancellors on such projects as the development of the University’s medical campus and the Beyond Campaign, she has led a team that has raised significant resources that have greatly strengthened the University’s research, teaching, and engagement with the community,” he added.
Current Foundation Board Chair Dr John King, said: “I congratulate Norma on the completion of an outstanding career at Queen’s.
“Her leadership and organisation of the Development and Alumni Relations Office and the Foundation Board have made such a substantial contribution to delivery of many projects which have propelled Queen’s for more than two decades.
“I shall greatly miss her counsel and experience in the operation of the Foundation Board.”
Norma served as Honorary Secretary of the Board of Queen's University Foundation and of the US Friends of Queen's from 2007.
Recollections
“I have many fond memories of my years here at the University,” continued Norma. “From the Great Hall Honorary Degree Dinner for President Bill Clinton at £1,500 a plate, to the Chronicles of Narnia premiere with Senator George Mitchell, to the retirement event for Professor Sir George Bain in Stormont, with a guest appearance by Phil Coulter.
“I was also very fortunate to have collaborated with gifted individuals such as Seamus Heaney and Brian Friel but as memorable was meeting and working with so many Queen’s graduates and supporters both here in Northern Ireland and around the world,” she added.
Graduate numbers have grown from 67,500 in 2000 when Norma was appointed, to over 140,000 at the last count. This period also saw an expansion and a rejuvenation of graduate associations and a new role for Convocation, as former Queen’s Graduates’ Association (QGA) President, Jonny Hill, explains.
“Norma has provided substantial backing for the graduate body over her time at Queen’s,” said Jonny. “In particular, I am very grateful for all the support, guidance and friendship that she gave me as during my time as President of Queen’s Students’ Union, and subsequently as President of the QGA and in my role on Convocation.
“The University and the graduate body owe her a considerable debt of gratitude for all her work. I wish her a very happy and well-deserved retirement.”
So what does retirement hold for the soon-to-be former Director? A lover of the outdoors, she’ll certainly have more time for hill walking. Then there is Pilates and her cats to think about, and there is even talk of rekindling her love of the piano.
“The nature of the job of Director, which is actually more a way of life than a job, is such that I am really looking forward to doing those things – like travelling for pleasure for instance – that there wasn’t always an opportunity to do before. And it will be great to spend more quality time with my husband Paul,” said Norma.
However she ends up filling her increased free time, Norma will undoubtedly leave Queen’s with many special memories.
Gratitude
During Norma’s time in the Development and Alumni Relations Office, which included the winning of Outstanding University Fundraising Team at the annual Times Higher Education Leadership and Management Awards in 2012, £165m has been received from over 10,000 donors who made 93,000 gifts.
“I’d like to express my gratitude to all those people and organisations who have supported Queen’s in the last 19 years, whether that is through donations or volunteering their time or expertise. These are the people who have really made the difference.
“Finally, I’d like to thank my colleagues across the University. In particular, I want to thank all the members of my team down through the years – including my predecessor Áine Gibbons – for the collective contribution they have made to the success of my time at Queen’s.
“I’ve really enjoyed being part of the University during this most important time in its development.”
While the recruitment process is well underway to find her successor, Norma is going to be a very tough act to follow.
To submit graduate news items, or for general enquiries about this story, please contact Gerry Power, Communications Officer, Development and Alumni Relations Office, Queen's University Belfast or telephone: +44 (0)28 9097 5321.
Photo: Norma Sinte (pictured centre) at the unveiling of the portrait by the Dublin-based artist James Hanley of Senator George Mitchell, Chancellor of Queen’s from 1999-2009, in New York in October 2012.
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