The university celebrated the installation of eight faculty members into endowed positions this month. At Boise State, endowed roles contribute to strategic initiatives, are powerful tools for recruitment and retention, and are important markers of the university’s prestige.
“As Boise State continues its unparalleled academic growth, support for faculty becomes increasingly important,” said Matthew Ewing, CEO of the Boise State University Foundation. “Endowed faculty roles are critical for research, discovery, innovation and teaching – for everything the university needs to enrich the academic experience. We are fortunate to have donors who recognize the importance of endowed positions, and our annual installation ceremony allows us to see the direct results of their generosity.”
Establishing more endowed faculty positions is a key pillar of Unbridled: The Campaign for Boise State. These roles provide ongoing, long-term support for professors, researchers and instructors while also enhancing the student experience and faculty retention. Since the launch of the Unbridled campaign, philanthropy has created 10 new endowed chairs, professorships and directorships.
Endowments are typically funded by donors and often carry a donor’s or special honoree’s name. They are intended to provide special recognition, for a term of years, to the individual faculty member to whom the title is awarded. Endowment earnings are used to supplement salaries and fund the chair holder’s scholarship, teaching, research and service.
“I’m really honored to be able to have the time and the resources to be able not only to further my own research but also to expand the footprint in the School of Nursing for our faculty and our students,” said Professor Amy Spurlock, who was installed as Joanna “Jody” DeMeyer Endowed Chair of Nursing. ”I’m deeply indebted to the DeMeyer family for funding this so many years ago.”
2024 honorees
- Amanda Ashley, Professor and Director, School of the Arts – installed as Dr. Thomas and Marilyn Beck Endowed Professorship for the Arts
- Sven Buerki, Associate Professor, Department of Biological Sciences – installed as Dr. Christopher Davidson Endowed Chair in Botany
- Jeff Lingwall, Associate Professor and Associate Chair, Department of Management – installed as College of Business and Economics Distinguished Teaching Professor
- Susan Park, Associate Professor, Department of Management – installed as John Elorriaga Endowed Professor
- Anthony Perrenoud, Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Construction Management – installed as William H. McMurren Endowed Chair of Construction Management
- Shikhar Sarin, Professor, Department of Marketing – installed as Ada Burke Endowed Fellow
- Amy Spurlock, Professor, School of Nursing – installed as JoAnna “Jody” DeMeyer Endowed Chair for Nursing
- Frank Veltri, Lecturer III, Department of Marketing – installed as Dykman Family Director of Professional Sales
During the ceremony, honorees each received medals commemorating the honor.