Epically endowed professor to help program go deeper

    A prominent alum yesterday gave the women's studies program a massively endowed professorship that should "explore uncharted territory," according to Director of Women's Studies Modhumita Roy.
    Roy said the endowment could fill any holes in the program. "We already have a pretty tight grip on things, but with an endowment this huge, it could almost become difficult to cover it all," Roy said.
    Jonathan Tusch (A ‘69) told the Daily said he wanted to ensure that coeds would "derive the maximum pleasure from their interactions with professors."
    The "extremely well-endowed" professorship comes at the climax of a rather vigorous fundraising season. Roy said it makes up for a drooping economy.
    "I'm so glad that we were on the receiving end of a professorship that's this well endowed," she said. "Surely, Mr. Tusch gets a good deal of pleasure out of giving, but I must say, it feels really good to receive. I mean really, really good."
    Roy justified the program's receipt of such a massive gift. "We all have needs," she said.
    The Women's Center refused to disclose specifically how extensive the gift was, but Roy said that Tufts students would not be disappointed with "Jumbo-sized" impact the donation would have.
    The school has yet to choose a professor for the new position. The professorship will delve into areas previously left unexplored while involving students in "hands-on research that [will] get them ahead in the game," Roy said.
    The donation comes as part of the university's $1.2-million Beyond Boundaries capital campaign.
    The women's studies program hopes to raise funds for more endowed professorships in the future.
    Six years have passed since the program last got lucky with such a prolific alumni donation.
    "It's the biggest one I've ever seen," senior and women's studies major Deena Browitz said.