More is better

University administration confirmed last week that it will focus on adding endowed professorships to a wide range of departments in the near future. This is certainly an important goal, as Tufts has the potential to greatly benefit from the donor's contribution as well as the reputation that highly-qualified endowed faculty will bring.

First and foremost, though, students will feel the immediate impact of an increase in endowed faculty. Such positions are likely to prompt challenging and stimulating courses that will better the quality of education at the University. Current faculty who are given endowed chairs will be more likely to stay at Tufts, which will ensure that Tufts consistently has expert teachers who have earned national or international recognition. Research opportunities should also improve with the specific experiences and interests of such professors.

Additionally, the University's financial resources will be bolstered by the donations made to create the endowed positions. These donations made up nearly ten percent of Tufts' most recent (and most successful) fundraising campaign. If Tufts effectively markets the opportunity to create endowed chairs, the effort should prove quite successful. Donors will likely enjoy the sense that, instead of buying a wing or a floor of a building, they will have created something that will last at least as long and will bear their name.

The University is to be commended for working to fill long-vacant endowed positions as well as looking to create new ones. Although there is no new money inflow to pay for the professorships, Tufts will nevertheless inspire confidence in potential donors regarding the longevity of their investment.

Since the Tufts Tomorrow fundraising campaign is complete, it would be wise of Development to concentrate on the endowed chairs effort right now while it waits for the next campaign to be plotted out. If President Bacow is able to reach his target of about 20 additional positions, it will surely be a stellar achievement for his young tenure.