Faculty at the Forefront

Three leaders discuss the impact of endowed positions at the University of Wyoming.

 

By Micaela Myers

 

Endowed positions — whether deans, chairs or professorships — are supported by philanthropy. They bring additional prestige as well as flexible funding, allowing the holders to strengthen their impact across teaching, research and outreach. In 1990, the University of Wyoming established its first endowed position, the Wold Chair. Today, the number of endowed positions at UW has soared to over 90.

To discuss the impact of these positions, UWyo Magazine visited with Farm Credit Services of America College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources Dean Kelly Crane, Interim Provost Anne Alexander, and Harry C. Vaughan Professor of Astronomy Daniel Dale, who is also the Carrell Family College of Engineering and Physical Sciences interim dean. 

 

In your opinion, what is the overall benefit of endowed positions?
Anne Alexander: “Having a named position shows distinction. They are very prestigious. Because of that, when you have an endowed position, you can attract the best and brightest. We now have these positions across every area — from business to the archives — creating a powerful impact across campus. At the dean level, these positions help recruit the best leaders who inspire their faculty and students to do great things.”

Kelly Crane: “We’re in a really competitive academic landscape where top-tier faculty and administrators are sought after at a nationwide scale. Endowed support signals not only an institutional commitment but also a stakeholder engagement that is attractive to faculty and administrators.”

Daniel Dale: “Endowed positions promote recruitment and retention, since they provide support for cutting-edge research and innovative teaching methods. Though our faculty are expected to garner external funding to support their research, such funds understandably come with their own restrictions. For example, lab renovations, maintenance contracts and certain equipment purchases are typically not allowed. Endowed funds can be pivotal in moving a program forward.”

 

How are these positions and their funding improving impacts and outcomes at UW?
KC: “Endowed positions are one of the most powerful tools we have to expand our impact. My position allows me to incentivize innovation and growth in areas that base funding will not allow for, with a special emphasis on programs that support production agriculture and serve rural communities in Wyoming. I have funds to support new ideas, to attract a new cohort of students, to develop a new program or to initiate a new research effort. I can deepen student learning experiences with fieldwork, internships, research projects, travel and specialized training. The funding strengthens our academic programs and amplifies our college’s ability to serve the state and the industries in the state. Over time, these positions elevate our reputation, attract additional resources and create a cycle of excellence. They’re essential to who we are today and critical to who we aspire to become.”

DD: “Many faculty who benefit from endowed positions fund student research stipends and send research assistants to conferences where they can network and present the results of their work. Others will hire lab technicians or postdoctoral scholars who can bring seasoned unique contributions that go beyond what students are expected or even what they’re otherwise able to carry out on behalf of the lab.”

 

What are your thoughts on UW’s efforts to create more endowed positions?
AA: “It’s a really important tool to build a faculty that the state deserves. It’s amazing how many have been added just recently. I think donors see the value in them because they can see that direct impact on students and the research ecosystem.”

DD: “Our faculty are committed to training the next generation of scientists and engineers as well as finding innovative ways to partner with industry. Endowed positions provide special opportunities for achieving these goals.”

KC: “I wholeheartedly support the efforts to increase endowed positions because it makes us really competitive in recruiting and retaining our faculty and it helps us better serve students. I also think it’s an important measure of support from our stakeholders. All this money started out with somebody’s hard work and risk. When somebody donates it to the university, it is a very direct endorsement of the things we’re doing.”

 

Anything else you would like to add?
AA: “Getting that direct relationship with industry leaders through these connections really helps us with our curriculum and preparing our students as well as helping our faculty know what the needs of our industry partners are with respect to research. We, in turn, have a lot of phenomenal instrumentation on this campus that industry can benefit from.”

KC: “An endowed professorship comes with a responsibility for accountability, and accountability includes stewarding that gift. It really is the basis of developing a much stronger relationship with the donor, often an industry expert, which creates great outcomes for our students. It also strengthens the relationship with our private donors and alumni. Our college’s 16 endowed professorships represent just under $24 million in philanthropy. It’s humbling and comes with a great accountability to make sure that we create impacts that are equal to that support.”