Named Endowed Chairs
A named endowed chair is the highest distinction the College may bestow on a member of its faculty. The named endowed chair recognizes exemplary practice and research, and may be used as an incentive to recruit outstanding candidates for our faculty or retain our top faculty members. This fund provides support for salary and related academic expenses, such as research and travel.

Like all endowments, a named endowed chair is a fund where the initial gift - the principal - is invested and the earnings from the investment are distributed to the recipient(s) as financial assistance. The principal remains untouched, thereby providing a permanent source of funding and growing as investment returns grow, allowing for growth in the fellowship or scholarship awards over time as well. Donors who establish endowments may wish to establish certain eligibility criteria for the selection of recipients.

A minimum commitment of $1,500,000 is required to establish a named endowed chair for an existing position. Creation of new faculty positions requires a minimum commitment of $2,500,000. This gift may be made in several ways:

• paid in a lump sum, usually cash or securities;
• pledged over a period not to exceed five (5) years;
• established through an estate gift; or
• a combination of the above.

Note: Information related to amounts required to establish an endowed fund at MSU are indicated as current minimum amounts.   The actual amount necessary to establish a named endowed fund must be negotiated with the university and may differ depending on what the donor wishes to accomplish through the endowed fund and the timing of a the gift, especially as this pertains to future or planned gifts.   For more information, contact:

Development Office
College of Education
518 Erickson Hall
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824-1034
517.432.1983