BIDDEFORD — The University of New England recently named John Norton vice president for institutional advancement.

As chief development officer, Norton will lead UNE’s fundraising, alumni relations, major gifts, and planned giving efforts. He will join UNE on Sept. 18.

UNE President Danielle Ripich said in a news release, “John has an outstanding record of senior leadership in higher education fundraising and campaign development. He joins an exceptional and highly motivated institutional advancement team — and at an ideal time. As we enter the second half of UNE’s ‘Vision 2017’ strategic plan, John’s skills in donor cultivation, solicitation and stewardship, together with his proven leadership and team-building acumen, position UNE for continued success.”

Norton most recently served as assistant vice president for advancement at Pomona College, where he created a major gifts program and helped lead and execute Pomona’s successful fundraising campaign. He also led a $500 million campaign at Lehigh University in 2004-07.

Norton’s fundraising career began in Maine. He spent 12 years as a member of Bowdoin College’s advancement team, culminating in his role as director of principal gifts, where he helped drive a $135 million campaign and plan a successful five-year $250 million campaign.

A graduate of Susquehanna University with a degree in English literature, Norton holds a master’s degree in public relations from American University.

He and his wife, Barbara, have frequently vacationed in Maine and own a home in Brunswick. An active community volunteer, he has created and executed development campaigns for Hospice of Midcoast Maine, Brunswick’s historic First Parish Church, and chaired the development effort for Curtis Memorial Library.