Faculty Giving Opportunities
Create a chair—An endowed chair is an elite academic position held only by top professors. The professor is referred to as the holder of the chair; e.g., Dr. Richard Carlson, Holder of the Dudley J. Hughes Chair in Geology and Geophysics. Chair names are part of a professor’s title; most bear the name of the donor or that someone the donor wishes to honor. The endowed funds generate an annual income from which expenses such as the professor’s research, graduate assistants and travel costs are paid. While the endowment size varies by college, the minimum endowment for a chair is $1 million.
Establish a professorship—An endowed professorship honors an outstanding professor. The professor is referred to as the holder of the professorship; e.g., Dr. Valerie Taylor, holder of the Royce E. Wisenbaker Professorship in Engineering. Professorship names are similar to chair names and are part of the professor’s title, and most bear the name of the donor or that of someone the donor wishes to honor. The endowed funds generate an annual income from which expenses such as the professor’s research, his graduate assistants and travel costs are paid. Although the minimum gift amount varies by college, most professorship endowments are between $300,000 and $500,000.
Endow a fellowship—A faculty fellowship is another method to honor an outstanding faculty member. Faculty fellowships bearing the name of the donor are part of the faculty member’s title; e.g., Dr. Christopher J. Wolfe, Professor of Accounting and KMPG Faculty Fellow. Although the minimum endowment amount varies by college, the preferred level for a faculty fellowship is $150,000.
Create a University Professorship for Teaching Excellence—These professorships are conferred upon the university’s most distinguished teachers who have exhibited excellence and devotion to the education of undergraduate students at Texas A&M. The named professorships are part of the recipient’s title; e.g., Dr. Rodney Hill, holder of the Eppright Professorship in Undergraduate Teaching Excellence.
Each appointments is for a period of three years and carries an annual salary supplement of $5,000, as well as an annual discretionary income to support the recipient’s teaching program and related professional development. The minimum endowment for a university professorship for teaching excellence is $150,000.
Establish a Center for Teaching Excellence Endowed Fund—A teaching excellence endowed fund honors a faculty member who is exploring new methods of teaching. The minimum endowment for a teaching excellence endowed fund is $25,000.
