When the University of Mississippi was recruiting Richard Purcell to the Department of English from Carnegie Mellon University, department chair Caroline Wigginton offered him the endowed Herbert H. McAlexander Chair in English, playing a pivotal role in his decision to accept the position.
The Big Picture: Having private funds to provide faculty support is vital to recruiting and retaining talented professors to prepare Ole Miss students. “It was an incredible honor!” Purcell said. “The endowment enhanced my sense of obligation to represent the university and my department as best I could in the work I do as a scholar and teacher. Endowments reflect a university’s commitment to scholarly excellence and to the students who decide to attend the University of Mississippi.”
Why It Matters:
- Salary competition among universities for superior faculty is fierce. Investments help Ole Miss attract outstanding faculty whose work will continue elevating the university and enriching experiences for our students.
- Faculty support is crucial to recruiting and retaining world-class professors to prepare our students for rewarding careers and create new academic programs.
- Faculty support provides professors with supplemental funding for salary, research and creative activities.
- When faculty endowments are named, the positions acknowledge donors’ support for academic rigor at Ole Miss.
- Faculty members are invaluable mentors, nurturing students through their undergraduate and graduate school experiences and in their professional careers.
- Faculty inspire students to reach for higher goals and apply their new knowledge beyond the classroom in internships, co-ops and community service.
To learn ways to provide faculty support at the university, contact Charlotte Parks, vice chancellor for development, at cpparks@olemiss.edu or 662-915-3120.