IT's faculty comprise world-class leaders and rising stars, inspirational
teachers, prolific researchers, gifted visionaries, engaging lecturers,
and dedicated mentors. Our esteemed faculty create and sustain our
strong academic programs, draw world-class students, attract other
eminent scholars, and bring IT and the University international
acclaim. They are the heart and soul of the college.
The University has improved faculty salaries, but it still ranks
near the bottom of the top 30 research universities in compensation.
Many of our best and brightest professors are being courted by other
leading universities offering salaries and research support we cannot
match solely with state funding.
Moreover, the research and scholarship activities of IT faculty—which
require laboratories, specialized equipment, and support for research
assistants—cost significantly more than the work of their peers
in other University colleges.
The importance of endowments
Private support in the form of endowed
chairs and professorships will help us attract and retain
superlative faculty by providing supplemental non-salary
resources that support and augment their research and scholarship
endeavors. Endowed chairs and professorships honor preeminent,
established scholars who are leaders in their fields and
whose contributions are critical to maintaining IT's excellence.
Professorships also reward promising, creative young faculty,
who receive additional funding for a specified period of
time to support their teaching, research, or community service
activities. A supplement to existing funds, the award does
not replace state funds or increase salary lines. These
endowments help IT retain the best and the brightest of
our young faculty.
Other endowments will give us the flexibility to invest
in professional development and to respond quickly to changing
research and academic needs.
These substantial investments in IT faculty reap immeasurable benefits
far into the future. Endowments that attract and support distinguished
faculty are among the most effective and important ways you can
help IT and our students.
